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Top 10 triumphant moments from the Burghley CCI4* – Sponsored by MD Barnmaster

Photo via @lrbht_official on Instagram.

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Top 10 triumphant moments from the Burghley CCI4* – Sponsored by MD Barnmaster

As eventers know too well, it is a rare occurrence to compete at an event and have things go to plan. The 2017 Land Rover Burghley CCI4* was a weekend filled with highs and lows for riders across the leaderboard.

Let’s take a moment and celebrate the “Top 10 triumphant moments” at Burghley this year. We were all smiling for everyone on this list. We are Eventers, we can’t help but be happy for these riders.

10) Lynn Symansky (USA) and Donner delivering a stellar 6th place finish, making them the highest placed North American duo. Eight Americans made the trip overseas to compete at Burghley but Lynn and Donner delivered the top performance for their country. They laid down a dressage test that scored a 45.5 to start off in 11th place and a quick cross-country run and only one rail down in show jumping moved them into 6th place. The US selectors will definitely have their eyes on this pair for next year’s World Equestrian Games.

 

9) Kristina Cook (GBR) and Star Witness finishing on their 53.2 dressage score to move up from 40th place after dressage into 7th. They were the pathfinders on cross-country and made the course look much easier than it was. They were the ONLY pair to finish on their dressage score, earning them a well deserved top 10 finish.

There she goes!🚀Tina Cook chats with Christopher Bartle before flying out of the start box on Star Witness🎉 #LRBHT

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8) Andrew Nicholson (NZL) storming around cross-country on Nereo despite having a heavy fall on his first ride, Qwanza, earlier that day. Andrew had a hard fall with Qwanza on cross-country but that didn’t stop him from riding Nereo around the tough course with style. He said in an interview after cross-country that when you have a horse like Nereo to ride you’d have to be in a bad way to not take that chance. He accumulated only 7.6 time penalties around the tough track and went on to finish in 8th place.

 

7) Mark Todd (NZL) and Leonidas II winning the dressage on a score of 36.7. Mark Todd put in a breathtaking test with Leonidas II to clinch the dressage lead. It has been a while since Mark Todd led the dressage at a four-star event and it was exciting for fans around the world. Unfortunately, Mark fell off at fence 26a, the Discovery Valley. But we all know he is a cross-country God and with dressage scores like that he could easily clinch a four-star title next year.

 

6) Imogen Murray (GBR) riding a beautiful double clear show jumping round with Ivar Gooden. Imogen and Ivar Gooden delivered one of only five double clear show jumping rounds and made it look simple. Imogen and Ivar Gooden finished in 14th place at Burghley, which was only their second CCI4* event. Imogen is only 24-years-old and is definitely an up-and-coming rider to keep on your radar screen.

 


 

5) Tim Price (NZL) getting it done at the Leaf Pit double oxer narrows with Ringwood Sky Boy after having problems there on his first ride, Xavier Faer. Everyone held their breath when Tim barely made it through the Leaf Pit cleanly with Ringwood Sky Boy, who was sitting in 7th place after dressage. Tim had picked up a 20 at this combination with Xavier Faer and history nearly repeated itself. Luckily, Tim rode with some serious grit and made it around cross-country with a mere 5.2 time penalties and went on to finish the event in 5th.

 

4) Tom McEwen (GBR) adding only 1.6 cross-country time penalties to his dressage score with Toledo de Kerser to finish in an impeccable 4th place. This pair has the potential to win a medal at next year’s World Equestrian Games. Toledo de Kerser is only 10-years-old and this was only his second CCI4* event. This horse wowed the crowd in stadium, delivering a double clear round and clearing the jumps by a mile. Tom is only 26-years-old and is one of Britain’s most promising younger riders so it is exciting to see him paired with such a phenomenal mount.

 

3) Piggy French (GBR) and Vanir Kamira jumping a hoof-perfect, faultless round to finish in 2nd place. Piggy had a baby and took time off from competing in 2016 but certainly has come back from her hiatus on fire. Vanir Kamira was campaigned up to the four-star level by Paul Tapner (AUS) before Piggy took over the ride this year. Together, they have clearly formed a solid partnership and Piggy piloted this mare to her best Burghley finish.

 

2) Gemma Tattersall (GBR) piloting the very strong Arctic Soul around cross-country with a double clear round, despite battling a chest infection. Gemma and Artic Soul had one of only three double clear cross-country rounds at this year’s Burghley, which helped them finish in 3rd place overall. Arctic Soul looked like quite the handful on the course but Gemma kept her cool and did an excellent job managing him even though she wasn’t in prime condition. She is the epitome of a tough eventer.

 

1) Oliver Townend (GBR) winning his first four-star in eight years aboard the four-star rookie horse, Ballaghmor Class. Oliver’s last CCI4* win was at the 2009 Burghley aboard Carousel Quest. He claimed the title again this weekend, this time on a 10-year-old horse at its first four-star. Can you say legend?

He did it! @olivertownendofficial @lrbht_official #lrbht

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