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Saturday, September 3 - Cross Country Day

WILLIAM STAYS IN FRONT

A clear, confident round in the time assured the overnight leaders, William Fox-Pitt and Ballincoola, of pole position at the end of cross-country day at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

The 11 year old Ballincoola, owned by Judith Skinner and Michael Payne, made the most of his long stride cruising round the course to produce a fluent, foot-perfect round for William. “He was brilliant and careful and just kept galloping,” said William, who is the newly crowned winner of the BE Premier League Accumulator. “He is good on his lines and not a horse you have to set up at his jumps – you just say ‘there it is’ and he jumps.” (William and Ballincoola are pictured at the right. Photo couryesy of Land Rover Burghley CCI****.)

William admitted that the day was not without its worries. “It hasn’t been the most relaxing of days – I was glad to have him declared fit and ready after the steeplechase as it was at that point at Badminton he had his heart fibrillation; but, we had no worries here.”

Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst were once again left as the runners-up. Despite an economic round of tight turns to save as much time as possible the pair was 6 seconds over the time and added 2.8 penalties to their dressage score; but, (it) still meant they finish the second day in second place. The pair has proved one of the most consistent on the circuit; the combination having been third here for the last two years as well as second at Badminton last year and fourth there this year. (Andrewand Lord Killinghurst are pictured at the left jumping the skinny after The Lake at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****, last May.)

Australian Andrew Hoy moved into third place with Anona Young’s Thoroughbred Mr Pracatan. As last year Andrew produced not one but two copybook rounds in the time to finish with both rides in the top six with Master Monarch in sixth place.

As course designer Mark Phillips commented, “The good riders made it look ridiculously easy.”

* * *

10:50 EDST

SARAH PROVES IN FLYING FORM

British rider Sarah Cutteridge has surprised the opposition with a flying round on ‘chance ride’ Riva Ruel to move close to the top of the leader board with a clear round inside the time.

Sarah only took over the ride on Mr & Mrs Tim Price’s Irish bred gelding 10 days ago. “He was great,” said Sarah, “We kept positive all the way round. I perhaps over-rode at the first water; but, fortunately you kick on and he goes.” Sarah paid tribute to his usual rider Tricia Barker, who fell off at Thirlestane and has a broken collarbone. “She has done an amazing job getting him fit and with the flatwork – I had the easy part, all I had to do was get on him.”
(Sarah and Riva Ruel are pictured at the right at Fence # 17, The Cottesmore Leap. Photo courtesy of the Land Rover Burghley CCI****.)

First timers Harry Meade and Chloe Newton also enjoyed their rides both coming home without jumping penalties to currently stand 16th & 17th.

Harry’s ride Midnight Dazzler owned by his breeders Richard and Caroline Lissack who was placed here three years ago with Darrell Scaife, gave Harry a trouble free ride. “We were able to get into a rhythm and just keep going. He is a very sensitive and highly strung horse; but, he is a super jumper.”

Chloe is the youngest rider in the top 20 and Drop Dead Gorgeous is also the highest placed mare. Chloe’s ride, however, was not without its moments the pair tipped Fence 10 the open ditch and hedge. “I thought I was a ‘goner’ and about to end up in the ditch,” said Chloe. “But she was awesome and really tried for me.”

* * *

10:30 EDST

MARY MOVES INTO TOP THREE

Australians Philip Dutton and Andrew Hoy maintain their places at the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials; but, Mary King and Call Again Cavalier have moved into third.

A determined jump at the final fence brought Mary King and Call Again Cavalier home with just 1.2 time penalties but their chance to head the leaderboard was thwarted as they had previously collected 7.2 time on the steeplechase (9 sec over the optimum time). The pair however helped by a good dressage score currently take third place. (Mary and Call Again Cavalier are pictured at the right jumping out of The Lake at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****, last May.)

Mary blamed herself for the time penalties on the steeplechase. “They were totally rider error and after that I am not disappointed that we will never have to ride another steeplechase again. (Burghley is the last event in the world to run as a ‘long format’). I feel as though I have let him down today. He went better than he did at Badminton although he was still a bit strong. But he is a brave bold horse and he jumped himself out of trouble.”

It was a great day for the British rider Laura Fortune competing at her first Burghley who put in a great clear round with Irish sport horse Hallo Again to pull them up into the top ten on the leaderboard at this stage.

It is not however the first visit to Burghley for the pair- they were third in the Winergy Burghley Young Event Horse finals five years ago. Last year they won the Intermediate Championships at Gatcombe and completed Badminton in May this year. “This is just the best horse I have ever had,” said Laura, “And I can’t` tell you how proud I am. I was actually enjoying myself. It is only his second four star and I didn’t want to go any faster – at this stage I want him to enjoy it.”

The top six are well ahead of the field but there is no time to be complacent yet and all eyes will be on numbers 75 & 76; Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst and William Fox-Pitt and Ballincoola who could upset the current standings.

* * *

7:54 EDST

THE FOREMAN TAKES CHARGE

Australian Phillip Dutton and the Foreman came home exactly on the time with a clean sheet adding nothing to their dressage score to set the standard in the early stages of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. (Phillip and The Foreman are pictured at the left below Jumping into the Perrier Water Jump at the Millbrook Horse Trials in mid-August.)

Phillip's fellow compatriots Master Monarch and Andrew Hoy, fifth here last year put their experience to good use and also came home on a clean sheet in the time with a masterful display of galloping and jumping. “He is a wonderful horse to ride,” said Andrew. “Apart from adding an extra stride between 5 & 6 in the main arena – which was my fault – he was faultless. The time is not easy to get – you have to work at it. Master Monarch is a quick horse and I saw some lovely distances and made up time that way but there is quite a lot of up hill galloping. Mark Phillips has designed a four star track and it is up to the riders to ride the correct lines and distances.”

British rider Rodney Powell pulled himself into the top three with a clean sheet on Liquid Ice. “I had a good ride. He was very green at Badminton in the spring; but, after a great ride at Barberry Castle in July thought we would come here. We have always thought a lot of him and it is great to see him fulfilling his potential.”

Trailblazer Polly Jackson and Limestone Rise also came home clear but collected 1.6 time penalties much to Polly’s annoyance, but at the moment still ly in fourth place. “That’s a shame – but I didn’t think I could have gone much faster. I really enjoyed being first to go and I am lucky to have had such an experienced horse. Every jump was a challenge and I didn’t feel there was much let up.”

Despite a determined ride from Andrew Nicholson, Duddles collected 7.2 time penalties but have an early fifth place and Andrew will no doubt be putting the experience of this early round to use later with Lord Killinghurst.

New Zealander Jo Meyer was delighted with the grey Ease On Fire who produced a clear round in his first four star. “The horse was fantastic and very genuine – we helped each other out on a couple of occasions but I am delighted.”

Shear H20 was was not so enthusiastic and was retired before the halfway stage by Leslie Law after an early run out at Fence 8 Uncle Ben’s Kitchen.

Briarlands Blackberry surprised by the look of the Fountain in the main arena (Fence 6ab) The Land Rover Landscapes, jammed on the brakes collecting 20pen for Tristram Owers.

Ruth Edge felt Muschamp Impala was not 100% and withdrew before phase D and Indian rider Imtiaz Anees also withdrew Freetown before cross country.

The above articles are courtesy of the Land Rover Burghley CCI****.

 

Cross Country Results:

1. William Fox-Pitt (GBR), BALLINCOOLA 42.4 (1) - - - - 42.4
2. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), LORD KILLINGHURST 44.6 (3) - - 2.8 - 47.4
3. Andrew Hoy (AUS), MR PRACATAN 52.2 (9) - - - - 52.2
4. Phillip Dutton (AUS), THE FOREMAN 53.1 (13) - - - - 53.1
5. Sarah Cutteridge (GBR), RIVA RUEL 53.7 (15) - - - - 53.7
6. Andrew Hoy (AUS), MASTER MONARCH 54.5 (16) - - - - 54.5 6
7. Mary King (GBR), CALL AGAIN CAVALIER 47.2 (5 )- 7.2 1.2 - 55.6
8. Rodney Powell (GBR), LIQUID ICE 50.6 (8) - - 6.0 - 56.6
9. Caroline Powell (NZL), LENAMORE 53.3 (14) - - 4.0 - 57.3 9
10. Polly Jackson (GBR), LIMESTONE RISE 57.4 (23) - - 1.6 - 59.0
11. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), DUDDLES 52.4 (10) - - 7.2 - 59.6
12. Phillip Dutton (AUS), AMAZING ODYSSEY 59.3 (29) - - 1.2 - 60.5
13. Daniel Jocelyn (NZL), SILENCE 58.9 (28) - - 6.0 - 64.9
14. Laurence Hunt (GBR), PHOEBUS 55.7 (21) - - 10.8 - 66.5
15. Kristina Cook (GBR), CAPTAIN CHRISTY 49.8 (6) - - 16.8 - 66.6
16. Sam Griffiths (AUS), CONNIGAR BAY 58.2 (25) - - 9.2 - 67.4
17. John-Paul Sheffield (GBR), MR SMIFFY 67.6 (39) - - 1.2 - 68.8
18. Rodolphe Scherer (FRA), FAIRFAX 63.2 (36) - - 6.0 - 69.2
19. Caroline Moore (GBR), DON GIOVANNI II 53.0 (11) - - 16.4 - 69.4
20. Nicola Tweddle (GBR), SKIVER 59.6 (30) - - 11.6 - 71.2
21. Laura Fortune (GBR), HALLO AGAIN 60.4 (32) - - 12.4 - 72.8
22. Hans-Heinrich Held (GER),SALINO 23 67.6 (39_ - - 7.2 - 74.8
23. Joe Meyer (NZL), EASE ON FIRE 61.8 (33) - - 13.6 - 75.4
24. Harry Meade (GBR), MIDNIGHT DAZZLER 55.0 (19) - 2.4 18.4 - 75.8
25. Chloe Newton (GBR), DROP DEAD GORGEOUS 65.4 (37) - - 14.0 - 79.4
26. Nick Turner (GBR), RONGOTAI 58.5 (26) - - 22.0 - 80.5
27. Peter Thomsen (GER), THE GHOST OF HAMISH 68.7 (43) - 0.8 11.6 - 81.1
28. Piggy French (GBR), DONE TO ORDER 68.5 (41) - - 12.8 - 81.3
29. Julie Lawson (GBR), HOWECOT PSAMMITE 72.2 (51) - - 14.4 - 86.6
30. Julian Trevor-Roper(GBR), KINNAGOE BAY 74.4 (55) - - 18.0 - 92.4
31. Milla Healey (GBR), ZARZOO 58.7 (27) - - 16.8 20 95.5
32. Claire Phillips (GBR), GINGER CHARLIE 66.1 (38) - - 29.6 - 95.7
33. Tristram Owers (GBR),CLASSIC TOUCH II 81.9 (61Ttfr55555de) - - 14.0 - 95.9
34. John-Peter Daker (GBR), BOW HOUSE SYDNEY 73.3 (52) - 4.0 20.4 - 97.7
35. Bryony Whittington (GBR), BURLINGTON BERTIE XII 81.9 (61T) - - 18.4 - 100.3
36. Ann Hatton (IRE), COOL KIWI 69.5 (46) - - 35.6 - 105.1
37. Molly Key (GBR), GLENCARA 77.4 (59) - - 32.8 - 110.2
38. Victoria Laing (GBR), JOLI FIGARO 68.7 (43) - 1.6 41.2 - 111.5
39. Peter Laidlaw (GBR), RIVER ROSE 70.0 (48) - - 28.0 20 118.0
40. Christie Wright (GBR), EURO DISNEY 74.1 (54) - - 31.6 20 125.7
41. Emma Winter (GBR), MAHOGANY CHIEF 79.1 (60) - 4.8 44.4 - 128.3 41
42. John-Paul Sheffield (GBR), GOOD ENOUGH 71.7 (50) - - 39.6 20 131.3
43. Neil Fox (GBR), YOUNG THOMAS 70.9 (49) - - 43.2 20 134.1
44. Tristram Owers (GBR), BRIARLANDS BLACKBERRY 62.8 (35) - 1.6 54.0 20 138.4
45. Marie Ryan (GBR), PENNY ROYAL III 57.0 (22) - 8.0 45.6 40 150.6
46. Carole Dennis (GBR),GOULTON STORM 68.5 (41) 65 - 20.4 - 153.9
47. Sharon Hunt (GBR), TANKERS TOWN 53.0 (11) - - 21.2 85 159.2
48. Nicola Tweddle (GBR), HIGHLAND LOCH II 75.2 (57) - - 48.4 60 183.6
49. Tim Rusbridge (NZL), THE VERDICT 74.6 (56) - - 38.8 125 238.4

Retired Phase D: Leslie Law (GBR), SHEAR H2O 50.2 (7) - -
Retired Phase D: Nick Gauntlett (GBR), ARTHURS WORD 62.6 (34) - -
Retired Phase D: Kristina Cook (GBR), HEADWIND 60.0 (31) - 0.8
Retired Phase D: Abigail Walters (GBR), UTHER PENDRAGON II 54.5 (16) - -
Retired Phase D: Richard Waygood (GBR), MASTER FRED 57.4 (23) - -
Retired Phase D: Sue Chadwick (GBR), R J MAXI 75.9 (58) - -
Eliminated Phase D: Kim Severson (USA), WINSOME ADANTE 42.8 (2) - -
Eliminated Phase D: Daniel Leech (GBR), UPWARD TREND 73.3 (52) - 2.4
Withdrawn before Phase D: Ruth Edge (GBR), MUSCHAMP IMPALA 45.9 (4) - -
Withdrawn before Phase D: Eddy Stibbe (AOH), AUTUMN SKY 55.0 (19) - 1.6
Withdrawn before Phase D: Imtiaz Anees (IND), FREETOWN 69.6 47 - -
Retired Phase B: Buck Davidson (USA), PRIVATE TREATY 69.1 (45) -

Withdrawn before X.Country: Polly Jackson (GBR), TWO FOR JOY 54.8 (18)
Withdrawn before Dressage: Leslie Law (GBR), SHEAR L'EAU
Both of the above two are going to the European Championships at Blenheim next weekend.