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Sunday, September 05, 2004 • 16:05 GMT

HOY WINS BY WHISKER

By the narrowest of margins, just 0.2 of a penalty, Andrew Hoy and Moon Fleet, lifted the Burghley Challenge Trophy. Given the breathing space and luxury of two show jumps in hand, after Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst had rolled an unlucky pole, the Australian used a life at the very first fence and then after making a big mistake at an upright had to go clear over five more fences. Hoy kept his cool to jump the remainder clear and retain his lead to claim his second title albeit an incredible 25 years after his first. (Andrew and Moon Fleet are pictured at the left during the Victory Gallop. Phot courtesy of the Burghley Web Site.)

"Having a first fence down wasn't what I was anticipating as he had warmed up really well," said Andrew. The win with Susan Magnier's 13 year old by the former leading National Hunt sire Strong Gale, is some compensation for a disappointing Olympic Games, where Andrew got a taste of Greek turf.

Both Andrew Nicholson with Lord Killinghurst and Marie Louise 'Bumble' Thomas with The Psephologist proved amazing consistency at four star level. An immaculately judged clear round by Bumble moved her into second place - one place higher than their third placing at Badminton in the spring.

"He gave me yet another fantastic ride cross country," said Bumble. The Psephologist owned by Colin Rawlings and Ricenda Broad, also collected a bronze presented by Sport Horse Breeding (GB) for the highest placed horse by an SHB(GB) stallion. By the Thoroughbred Michael's Revenge he was bred Judy Ramsay. In a reversal of fortune Andrew and Lord Killinghurst, second at Badminton dropped to third here.

Due to masterly performances over yesterdays cross country Andrew Hoy also took fourth place with the 13year old Just A Monarch gelding Master Monarch. In what must prove to be one of the closest finishes (ever), just 1.2 penalties seperated the top four.

Burghley Horse Trials 2nd - 5th September 2004
Burghley Horse Trials Office, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2LH • Tel: +44 (0)1780 752 131 • Fax: +44 (0)1780 752 982

CCI**** Final Results:

1. MOON FLEET, Andrew Hoy (AUS) 44.44 - - 4.0 - 48.41 8 = 56.4
2. THE PSEPHOLOGIST Marie-Louise Thomas (GBR) 49.015 - - 7.6 - 56.64 0 = 56.6
3. LORD KILLINGHURST, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 40.22 - - 13.2 - 53.42 4 = 57.4
4. MASTER MONARCH, Andrew Hoy (AUS) 49.217 - - 4.4 - 53.63 4 = 57.6
5. SHEAR H2O, Leslie Law (GBR) 46.06 - - 15.6 - 61.65 4 = 65.6
6. TANGLE MAN, Polly Stockton (GBR) 44.85 - - 18.4 - 63.26 4 = 67.2
7. INTERNET, Kate Hewlett (NZL) 54.632 - 2.4 14.0 - 71.09 0 = 71.0
8. EZE, Blyth Tait (NZL) 55.639 - - 21.2 - 76.816 0 = 76.8
9. CAPTAIN CHRISTY, Kristina Cook (GBR) 52.825 - - 20.4 - 73.212 4 = 77.2
10. MINUTO, William Levett (AUS) 52.623 - 0.8 25.6 - 79.018 0 = 79.0
11. BALLINCOOLA, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 42.43 - - 16.8 20 79.219 0 = 79.2
12. LIMESTONE RISE, Polly Jackson (GBR) 60.254 - - 12.0 - 72.210 8 = 80.2
13. KARL D'CYMBELINE, Lucy Kemplay (GBR) 47.412 - - 26.8 - 74.214 6 = 80.2
14. SPRING ALONG, Daisy Dick (GBR) 58.650 - - 22.4 - 81.021 0 = 81.0
15. DRUNKEN DISORDERLY, Mark Kyle (IRE) 62.063 - - 14.8 - 76.815 8 = 84.8
16. MR SMIFFY, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 57.044 - - 8.8 - 65.88 20 = 85.8
17. PRIVATE COLIN, Sam Griffiths (AUS) 55.436 - - 16.8 - 72.211 16 = 88.2
18. SLOOPY, John Williams (USA) 60.657 - - 20.0 - 80.620 8 = 88.6
19.VOLNAY, Cressida Clague-Reading (GBR) 48.614 - - 24.8 20 93.426 0 = 93.4
20. MASTER COUTURE, Ruth Friend (GBR) 56.241 - - 17.6 - 73.813 20 = 93.8

Sunday, September 05, 2004 • 10:23 GMT

Scores Placings for Americans Who Show Jumped in the Morning:

23.. NORTHERN SPY, Heidi White (USA) 55.034 - - 20.0 20 95.028 1 = 96.0
25. 3 MAGIC BEANS, Nina Fout (USA) 62.063 - - 34.4 - 96.429 8 = 104.4
36. ALL'S FAIR, Ashley Macvaugh (USA) 64.474 - 8.8 34.4 20 127.640 4 = 131.6
40. PRIMITIVE GOLD, Linden Wiesman (USA) 54.229 - 5.6 46.0 65 170.843 8 = 178.8
43. TEST RUN, Kim Morani (USA) 64.677 - - 82.4 85 232.048 4 = 236.0

(Heidi White and Northern Spy are pictured at the right at the Sunday Morning Trot Up. Photo courtesy of the Burghley Web Site.)

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PARADE CANCELLED

As a mark of respect to Caroline Pratt the organisers have made the decision to cancel this afternoon's parade of Olympic medallists. There will be a one minute silence at 14.20.

The competition will go ahead and the lower placed riders will start show jumping at 11.20. The top twenty riders will jump this afternoon.

Three horses withdrew from the competition before the final horse inspection.

No 20 Beat The Retreat (N French - GBR) in 44th place after XC
No. 53 Royal Brigadoon (J Evans - GBR) in 45th place after XC
No. 60 Look Sharp III (S Harrison - IRL) in 7th place after XC

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Saturday, September 4 - Cross Country Day

THOUGHTS ON THE CROSS COUNTRY:

"This is an 'old school' event and what four star is all about. I am lucky to have a talented horse who helped me out so much but he was definitely running short of fuel towards the end". Australian Sam Griffiths, who rode Private Colin and takes 11th place.

(Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch, in first place after Cross Country, are pictured at the left, jumping through a keyhole. Photo courtesy of the Burghley Web Site.)

"I survived and didn't fall off. Having had three falls this year I was quite The Keapprehensive. But I decided to stop watching the clock and get stuck in. The ground was energy sapping but he remained strong." Polly Stockton (GBR) 6th with Tangleman.

"He was brilliant. I thought it was huge and though it was his first four star he flew all the big ones and he seems to have recovered well - but you could really feel the heat out there." First timer Cressida Clague Reading (GBR) who rode Volnay

"It was a long way. He finished tired but the further he went the better he got. The ground is quite soft and though thankfully the sun has shone the ground staff have done an amazing job with the going especially when you think that it was under water at the beginning of the week." Ruth Friend (GBR) rider Master Couture 13th.

"Unfortunately I didn't seem to have a second to catch my breath and enjoy the ride. He covers the ground well and I knew if I could get him into a rythmn I'd be OK." Irish rider Sasha Harrison who enjoyed a fast clear round to move up 28 places.

(Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Lord Killinghurst, currently in second place, are pictired at the right at a picnic table towards the end of the course. Photo courtesy of the Burghley Web Site.)

(Editor's Note: Oddly, Andrew Hoy (AUS) and Andrew Nicholson (NZL), currently standing first and second at Burghley, both had falls when their horses each left a knee at the Grecian Urn skinny on Cross Country at the Markopoulo Equestrian Center, at the Athens Olympic Games.)

"I had a fabulous ride - he really tried hard everywhere. I predicted he would enjoy the course and he did, as he has a long stride and there were lots of places to open him up and let him run. You had to be awake all the time and we did bounce the water brush at fence five which was a heart stopping moment." New Zealand first timer Kate Hewlett who had a great ride with the stallion Internet.

"Though we were held on the course I can't complain as it gave us a rest and we probably came home faster than we would have done without. It was a strong course but I was happy with the way he jumped. I didn't think about it being my last ride here; but, I probably will now." Blyth Tait who returns home to New Zealand at the end of the month.

Burghley Horse Trials 2nd - 5th September 2004
Burghley Horse Trials Office, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2LH • Tel: +44 (0)1780 752 131 • Fax: +44 (0)1780 752 982

ANDREWS RIDES ARE CLOCKWORK

Andrew Hoy provided an incredible masterclass of cross country riding putting two immaculately timed rounds to stand first and third at the end of the day.

The 43 year old Australian clocked up just one second difference with his two rides and heads the leaderboard with Moonfleet (no 9) and moved into third place with his later ride the 13 year old Master Monarch. Both horses (were) just 10 & 11 seconds over the optimum time of 13 minutes. "I certainly didn't plan it that way - my thoughts were just to get the horses into a rythmn," said Andrew. " I was aware the times were similar as I was aware of the minute markers and I rode similar lines at the fences; but, to come in that close was quite coincidental."

Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst, who were second after dressage and Andrew Hoy's only threat for the lead, had to endure a hold on the course; but, despite coming home 30 seconds over the time, his good dressage mark meant he moved up to second place. Andrew also has his second horse in the top ten with Mr Smiffy in eighth.

British Olympic reserves Marie Louise 'Bumble' Thomas and the 12 year old The Psephologist, third at Badminton in May, put themselves in contention here adding just 7.6 time penalties to their dressage score and moving into fourth and Leslie Law and Shear H20 finished in fifth.

Unfortunately it was not the day for Leslies fellow Olympic team mates. Sadly for the bookies favourite and dressage leader, Pippa Funnell, her Burghley ended at the Lower Trout Hatchery when a reluctant Cornerman collected 20 penalties at the first element of the bounce in. Although he jumped at the second attempt Pippa chose to retire him. While William (Fox-Pitt) also collected 20 penalties on Ballincoola just two fences from home, to drop out of serious contention.

New Zealander Kate Hewlett had a terrific ride from Jocelyn and John Bayley's delightful homebred stallion Internet, to move up into ninth place, the highest placed first time rider and the only stallion to complete the cross country. Australian Sammi McLeod in 20th place with Enchanted has the highest placed mare.

Tomorrows show jumping will provide an exciting closely fought competition for the silver trophy. Andrew Hoy, who might be keen to put his name on the role of honour again 25 years after he last won here, has just one fence in hand over Andrew Nicholson.

Burghley Horse Trials 2nd - 5th September 2004
Burghley Horse Trials Office, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2LH • Tel: +44 (0)1780 752 131 • Fax: +44 (0)1780 752 982

CCI**** Cross Country Results:

No Horse Rider Dres A
C B D
Time D
Jump Total Current

1. MOON FLEET, Andrew Hoy (AUS) 44.4 (4) - - 4.0 - = 48.4
2. LORD KILLINGHURST, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 40.2 (2) - - 13.2 - = 53.4
3. MASTER MONARCH, Andrew Hoy (AUS) 49.2 (17) - - 4.4 - = 53.6
4.THE PSEPHOLOGIST, Marie-Louise Thomas (GBR) 49.0 (15) - - 7.6 - = 56.6
5. SHEAR H2O, Leslie Law (GBR) 46.0 (6) - - 15.6 - = 61.6
6. TANGLE MAN, Polly Stockton (GBR) 44.8 (5) - - 18.4 - = 63.2
7. 60 LOOK SHARP III, Sasha Harrison (IRE) 55.2 (35) - - 8.8 - = 64.0
8. MR SMIFFY, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 57.0 (44) - - 8.8 - = 65.8
9. INTERNET, Kate Hewlett (NZL) 54.6 (32) - 2.4 14.0 - = 71.0
10. LIMESTONE RISE, Polly Jackson (GBR) 60.2 (54) - - 12.0 - = 72.2
11. PRIVATE COLIN, Sam Griffiths (AUS) 55.4 (36) - - 16.8 - = 72.2
12. CAPTAIN CHRISTY, Christina Cook (GBR) 52.8 (25) - - 20.4 - = 73.2

American Results are listed below:

20. SLOOPY, John Williams (USA) 60.6 (57) - - 20.0 - = 80.6
28. NORTHERN SPY, Heidi White (USA) 55.0 (34) - - 20.0 20 = 95.0
29. 3 MAGIC BEANS, Nina Fout USA) 62.0 (63) - - 34.4 - = 96.4
40. ALL'S FAIR, Ashley Macvaugh (USA) 64.4 (74) - 8.8 34.4 20 = 127.6
43. PRIMITIVE GOLD, Linden Wiesman (USA) 54.2 (29) - 5.6 46.0 65 = 170.8
48. TEST RUN, Kim Morani, (USA) 64.6 (77) - - 82.4 85 = 232.0

RET. MCKINLAIGH, Gina Miles (USA)60.6 (57) - - Retired Phase D
RET. ASHDALE DAVID'S WAY, Cindy Rawson (USA) 47.2 (11) - - Retired Phase D
ELIM. TASK FORCE, Jan Byyny Thompson (USA) 52.6 (23) - - Eliminated Phase D
ELIM. ZYDECO, Gretchen Butts (USA) 61.8 (62) - 2.4 Eliminated Phase D

Numbers in parentheses indicate placing after Dressage.

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Saturday, September 04, 2004 • 21:48 GMT
CAROLINE PRATT

It is with deepest regret that we announce that Caroline Pratt suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at Burghley Horse Trials on Saturday, 4th September 2004.

Caroline Pratt, aged 42, from Middlewich, Cheshire was single.

The accident was at Fence 26, The Lake Crossing. The horse, Primitive Streak, a 12 year old Bay Gelding, owned by Mr Kinsey, number 112 was uninjured.

Jane Holderness-Roddam, Chairman of British Eventing said "On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Caroline's family. The thoughts and prayers of eventing people all over the country are with them at this sad time."

From the Burghley Web Site.

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