Stamford, Lincolnshire, England—Sept. 5

Former junior national champion and young riders squad member Eliza Stoddart retained her position at the top of the leaderboard at the end of Day 1 at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Her score of 28.7 with Anne Staley’s Priorspark Opposition Free proved unbeatable.

“He is strong in the phase, and I’m confident in his ability,” Stoddart said. “I was hoping to be in the top 15 after dressage—to be in the lead after Day 1 is mind-boggling but totally cool. This is my local event, and I remember sitting on the edge of the Leaf Pit with my mates as a child joking about how we’d ride at Burghley one day. To be here in this position is totally mental!”

Eliza Stoddart and Priorspark Opposition Free. Lindsay Berreth Photos

Tim Price and Bango and Sarah Bullimore with Reve Du Rouet are currently tied for second place with scores of 29.6.

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet.

“He was a really good boy,” said Bullimore of Reve Du Rouet. “He went a bit shy on me in there and didn’t show himself off as well as he can do, but, at the end of the day, it’s not a dressage competition. It’s frustrating as there’s so much more that could come out, and I feel he could have scored 25, but he tried his best.”

Tim Price and Bango.

Price was also pleased with his rides today. He’s also sitting eighth with Xavier Faer.

“They’re both horses that excel at the cross-country job and jumping job in general,” Price said. “So, with the flatwork you just kind of want to do as best as you can and not get affected by the atmosphere and try not to make any silly mistakes as a rider, so I was really pleased we managed to cover most of those things.”

Doug Payne is currently the top U.S. rider and is tied for ninth with Vandiver on a score of 32.1.

“I couldn’t be much happier with him,” Payne said. “It’s a charged environment, and he would be one that’s a little bit of an internalizer and worrier. But he really handled it very well, and I was able to ride as aggressive as I could at the moment. I’m looking forward to [the cross-country]. It looks like a whole lot of fun.”

Will Coleman and Tight Lines, are sitting close behind in 11^th place on a score of 32.4.

“I’m very pleased,” Coleman said. “Tight Lines was a good boy. I have no complaints. I’m happy to take that score into Saturday and see how we do.

“This event is what made me want to do eventing,” Coleman continued. “For me personally, I think this is the most incredible event that we have in the sport.”

Andrea Baxter and Indy 500 currently sit in 22^nd place on a score of 37.6, while Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan are in 24^th place with a score of 38.1.

U.S.-based Australian rider Dom Schramm sits in 28^th place aboard Bolytair B with a score of 38.7

“It’s a huge honor and a privilege to be here,” Schramm said. “This is hallowed ground in eventing; going up winner’s circle is something I always dreamed about as a kid. I’m just trying to soak it all up.”

Dressage competition will continue tomorrow with Brazil’s Marcelo Tosi and Glenfly up first at 9:30 a.m. BST.

For full results click here.