Stamford, England—Sept. 2
The stylish Christopher Burton is on course to win his first CCI**** on British soil after storming into the lead at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** with a stunning dressage test on the Nobilis 18.
Australia’s Burton, who also led the dressage at the Rio Olympic Games last month, eventually finishing fifth individually and with a team bronze medal, wowed the judges with his graceful riding and the Hanoverian gelding’s luxurious paces and balanced outline, scoring 30.2 penalties.
Christopher Burton on Nobilis 18. Photo by Libby Law.
He now has 4.3 penalties in hand over first-day leader, Germany’s Bettina Hoy in a top 10 which, as predicted, is dominated by antipodean flags.
“Nobilis was fantastic, and I’m so proud of him,” said Burton of the 11-year-old that was initially produced by last year’s Burghley winner, Michael Jung. The pair have won four of their nine international starts and were second at Blenheim CCI*** (Great Britain) last year.
“I’m really pleased wit the horse—he was very relaxed and let me ride him, and he let me put my leg on and push him,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with him. He can be a bit quirky. I was saying at Badminton [CCI**** this spring in Great Britain], he got lit up by the crowds, and I said to the owners that this week he’s been very relaxed.”
This time last year, five-time Burghley winner Andrew Nicholson was watching on television at home, as he recovered from a broken neck. However, the 55-year-old Kiwi never doubted he would return to top level, and now he is back at the event that brings out the best in him, in third place on Nereo, with a score of 35.2 penalties.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. Photo by Libby Law.
The 16-year-old chestnut gelding, a bronze medallist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.) and an Olympic team bronze medallist in London 2012, produced a smooth test, with particularly smart lateral work, the only slight hiccup coming when the horse trod on himself during the rein-back.
Nicholson, 55, has had the Spanish-bred Nereo since the gelding was a 3-year-old.
“I think the soft going in the arena perhaps shut his power off a bit, and as he’s a sensitive horse, I thought I’d accept it rather than pushing him,” he said. “Nereo has been one of my favorite horses ever since I got him, and I trust him to behave with the crowd and to concentrate.”
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Another New Zealander, Caroline Powell, who won Burghley in 2010 on Lenamore, is right up at the sharp end, in fourth place on Onwards And Upwards (37.8), and the 2009 winner, Oliver Townend is the best British rider in fifth place on MHS King Joules, a horse previously ridden by Andrew Nicholson and Mary King, on 38.1.
Burton’s Rio teammate Sam Griffiths is having his seventh Burghley ride on the 17-year-old Happy Times and is in eighth place on 39.6. “He’s like Roger Federer—he’s quite old, but I like to think he’s still got it!” joked Griffiths.
Two seasoned New Zealanders complete the top 10, with Blyth Tait (Bear Necessity V) heading five-time winner Sir Mark Todd (NZB Campino) by 2.2 penalties.
Tait, who has only competed once at Burghley since he first retired from the sport in 2004, was thrilled at the progress made by his mount, an 11-year-old former hunter, following their 13th place at Badminton this spring.
“If Pippa [Funnell] or Bettina had him, he’d probably be better, but we’ve come on together and the horse has exceeded all my expectations,” he said. “Burghley has always been a happy hunting ground for me. The unique undulations will be influential, and the size of the fences are frightening, but they make you ride well.”
Three U.S. riders competed today, with Phillip Dutton slotting into equal 28th with Fernhill Fugitive. Elisa Wallace, who rode yesterday, is still the highest-placed U.S. competitor in 18th on Simply Priceless.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Libby Law.
“The test started as good as I’ve ever started,” said Dutton. “It was really good, and then he just got a little backed off in the last part. We missed the last three changes, which was pretty costly.
I had some horses in contention for Rio, and then Mighty Nice [Dutton’s partner for individual bronze there] was meant to come here. This guy sort of deserves his chance; he’s done Rolex now twice, and this is a big step up for him, but hopefully he’s ready for it.”
Phillip Dutton being interviewed in the ring after his test. Photo by Libby Law.
Libby Head, riding her own Sir Rockstar, is sitting 44th in the field, and Holly Payne Caravella is in 50th on Never Outfoxed.
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Libby Head and Sir Rockstar. Photo by Libby Law.
Holly Payne Caravella and Never Outfoxed. Photo by Libby Law.
Seventy horses completed the dressage. Rodolphe Scherer of France was eliminated when the ground jury decided that Makara de Montiege looked unlevel.
Despite leading, Burton wasn’t allowing himself to get too carried away.
“I think I’m more terrified than excited. It’s hard to feel confident when you’re facing the cross-country at Burghley. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been here, the Leaf Pit is still huge—but I’m on a blood horse, and this place always gets me going. I’ve done a good job today, and the horse was super, and I’m pleased with him, and tomorrow we’ll do what we can do.”
The formidable Leaf Pit. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
(Take a tour of the cross-country track, and see photos of all the fences.)
Andrew Nicholson considers that course designer Mark Phillips, who has produced a “fair and horse-friendly track” has “got the hang of making the optimum time near impossible.” This means that a thrilling competition is in store, and the heavy rain that is forecast in the middle of the day could change the leaderboard.
The action starts at 11 a.m. local time; follow with live results on www.burghley-horse.co.uk and video action on www.burghley.tv. Please check www.burghley-horse.co.uk for broadcast times.
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