Stamford, Lincolnshire, England—Sept. 5
British riders topped the leaderboard at the end of the dressage phase at 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, with Pippa Funnell leading the pack on a score of 22.8 on MGH Grafton Street. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class sit second on 25.3, with Izzy Taylor and Springpower sitting third with 25.6.
“I’m really, really delighted,” said Funnell. “He felt wonderful in his brain both inside and outside the arena. I gave myself a good talking to last night after making a couple of silly mistakes on Billy Walk On and made myself get my act together. I just need to make sure I ride with the same mindset I did at the Europeans tomorrow–I need to get stuck in and be brave.”
Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street. Lindsay Berreth Photo.
Oliver Townend rode his test on Ballaghmor Class despite struggling with a back injury.
“Although he’s been first and second here, he’s still only 12 and getting established at this level,” Townend said. “He was very relaxed, I even had to kick him on a bit in the walk, but it’s a real privilege to have a horse of his caliber here.”
Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Lindsay Berreth Photo.
Izzy Taylor’s 10-year-old ride, Springpower, showed his potential.
“He’s a very exciting horse,” Taylor said. “He’s beautiful to look at which helps in this phase, and has massive movement, he’s just not entirely able to control it yet. There’s a lot more to come from him.”
Izzy Taylor and Springpower. Lindsay Berreth Photo.
Lauren Kieffer’s score of 26.7 earned her and Vermiculus fourth place, the best finish of the 11 Americans competing.
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“I’m thrilled with how he went because he hates the rain,” said Kieffer. “He didn’t do anything super flashy but he was very consistent and didn’t make any mistakes.
Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus. Libby Law Photography.
Hannah-Sue Burnett aboard Harbour Pilot are tied for fifth place with a score of 26.9, and Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z are tied for seventh on a score of 28.4.
“I was thrilled with him,” Halliday-Sharp said. “He’s not that experienced at this level and this is a [personal best] for him. I couldn’t have asked for more from him. We have a great relationship, and he always goes into the ring and tries – I just love him to pieces.”
Liz Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z. Libby Law Photography.
Buck Davidson and Jak My Style are currently tied for 34th on a score of 34.3. Lillian Heard and her mount LCC Barnaby are sitting 54th with their score of 39.1 Chris Talley aboard Unmarked Bills is ranked 61st on 40.6, while Savannah Fulton and Captain Jack are in 65th with their score of 45.4
From yesterday, Doug Payne and Vandiver are now in 21st, with Will Coleman and Tight Lines close behind in 26th. Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 have moved to 46th, while Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan are now tied for 48th. U.S-based Australian, Dom Schramm and Bolytair B are now 53rd.
Cross-country begins tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. BST, with fewer than 10 penalties separating the top 10.
For full results click here.
2019 Burghley Horse Trials - Friday
Lindsay Berreth / September 6, 2019 12:15 pm
