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Ruth who lives in Cumbria rides Muschamp Impala (no 24) a branded Trakehner, by Muschamp Maestro, who was bred at the Muschamp Stud in Buckingham, also the home of Karen Bassett's international driving trials four-in-hand.

Impala was bought as a foal by Ruth’s long-time trainer Judy Harvey with the intention of a dressage career. When as a five year old he was proving too sharp for the sport Judy gave Ruth a half share and last year sold her share to present owner Ann Murray, from Stroud, in Gloucestershire, before he had competed at advanced level.

“It is only now he is really showing his ability,” said Ruth. “We have not been able to crack dressage until recently – he has always been talented; but, can be sharp. He is a powerful horse; but, I feel I am now much more in control of his power.”

Ruth first competed here seven years ago when she was 19 years old. Last year she won the British Open at Gatcombe with Two Thyme. This year Muschamp Impala was withdrawn from Gatcombe after a disappointing show jumping. It was later found that his saddle was causing a problem. “We have never had him so fit before and I think he must have changed shape,” said Ruth. With a change of saddle the pair subsequently came third at The Scottish Championship at Thirlestane two weeks ago.

Mark Phillips’ course here impressed Ruth. “The course is lovely – but there are plenty of places for a silly run out and the Diary Mound is quite tricky; but, I plan to go all the straight routes and will certainly give it a good crack. The ground is perfect and the weather good so hopefully there should be a good competition in store.”

Ruth has a 5.7 penalty lead over Olympic gold medallist Leslie Law and Shear H2O. Leslie and Shear H2O are pictured at the right above. Photo courtesy of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.) Rodney Powell and Liquid Ice are in third place. Both grey geldings are much closer with just 0.4 between the pair.

Phillip Dutton, who resides in West Grove, PA, but retains his Australian citizenship, rode Mrs. Annie Jones' The Foreman, last year's winner of the Fair Hill International CCI***. This pair stands in sixth place after the first day of Dressage on a score of 53.1. They are 7.2 faults out of the lead, at present. (Phillip and The Foreman are pictured at the left at North Georgia last spring.)

New Jersey's Buck Davidson is in 23rd place with L\uke Allen's Private Treaty on a score of 69.1.

Imtiaz Anees, who rides for India and lives in Georgia, is 25th with a score of 69.6.

A significant portion of the above article is courtesy of the Land Rover Burghley CCI****.

Current Dressage Results (After Thursday, September 1, 2005)

Judges :
Mr Alain James (FRA)
Mrs Angela Tucker (GBR)
Mr Roeli Bril (NED)

1. Ruth Edge (GBR), MUSCHAMP IMPALA - 66.67 66.67 74.81 = 45.9
2. Leslie Law (GBR), SHEAR H2O - 64.81 66.30 68.52 = 50.2
3. Rodney Powell (GBR), LIQUID ICE - 65.93 62.96 70.00 = 50.6
4. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), DUDDLES - 63.33 61.85 70.00 = 52.4
5. Sharon Hunt (GBR), TANKERS TOWN - 64.07 67.04 62.96 = 53.0
6. Phillip Dutton (AUS), THE FOREMAN - 64.81 60.00 68.89 = 53.1
7T. Andrew Hoy (AUS), MASTER MONARCH - 64.07 62.59 64.44 = 54.5*
7T. Abigail Walters (GBR), UTHER PENDRAGON II - 65.56 63.70 61.85 = 54.5
9. Eddy Stibbe (AOH), AUTUMN SKY - 62.96 61.85 65.19 = 55.0*
10. Marie Ryan (GBR), PENNY ROYAL III - 64.44 61.11 60.37 = 57.0
11. Polly Jackson (GBR), LIMESTONE RISE - 66.30 57.78 61.11 = 57.4
12. Nick Turner (GBR), RONGOTAI - 59.63 61.11 62.22 = 58.5
13. Nicola Tweddle (GBR), SKIVER - 59.26 59.63 61.85 = 59.6
14. Kristina Cook (GBR), HEADWIND - 58.89 55.56 65.56 = 60.0
15. Laura Fortune (GBR), HALLO AGAIN - 59.63 60.00 59.63 = 60.4
16. Joe Meyer (NZL), EASE ON FIRE - 57.78 57.04 61.48 = 61.8
17. Nick Gauntlett (GBR), ARTHURS WORD - 56.67 60.74 57.41 = 62.6
18. Tristram Owers (GBR), BRIARLANDS BLACKBERRY - 57.04 57.41 60.00 = 62.8
19. Rodolphe Scherer (FRA), FAIRFAX - 58.89 56.67 58.15 = 63.2
20. Claire Phillips (GBR), GINGER CHARLIE - 58.15 56.30 53.33 = 66.1
21. Hans-Heinrich Held (GER), SALINO - 23 56.30 55.19 53.33 = 67.6
22. Carole Dennis (GBR), GOULTON STORM - 55.56 52.96 54.44 = 68.5
23. Buck Davidson (USA), PRIVATE TREATY - 51.85 57.04 52.96 = 69.1
24. Ann Hatton (IRE), COOL KIWI - 54.44 54.81 51.85 = 69.5
25. Imtiaz Anees (IND), FREETOWN - 52.59 52.22 55.93 = 69.6
26. Neil Fox (GBR), YOUNG THOMAS - 53.33 51.48 53.33 = 70.9
27. John-Paul Sheffield (GBR), GOOD ENOUGH - 52.22 52.96 51.48 = 71.7
28. Julie Lawson (GBR), HOWECOT PSAMMITE - 53.33 50.00 52.22 = 72.2
29. Sue Chadwick (GBR), R J MAXI - 53.70 50.37 44.07 = 75.9

* - denotes errors of course

* * * *

BURGHLEY IS A DREAM FOR IMTIAZ

AMONG the first time riders is Imtiaz Anees, who is the first person to ride at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials under the Indian Flag.

Imtiaz has been based in Atlanta in the USA for the last four years and will be making his first visit to Britain with Freetown (no 22). The pair competed at the Olympic Games in Athens and Imtiaz is now trying to fulfil his dream of competing at Burghley and next year Badminton.

Imtiaz who was born and lived in Bombay learnt to ride at the local riding club where he met British rider Diana Wilson who, having ridden at Burghley and Badminton herself, fired Amtiaz’s imagination. “I wanted to ride like her,” said Imtiaz, “And she has now made it possible for me to be here.” (Imtiaz and Freetown are pictured at the right at the trot up , on Wednesday.)

After university Imtiaz moved to Australia to study for a Masters degree in Equine Business Studies – he presently works as assistant marketing manager for a feed business in the US. While he was based in Australia, at the age of 25, Imtiaz started eventing and then moved to the USA.

Three years ago he bought Freetown, a New Zealand Thoroughbred who came out of racing. Freetown by Hulatown is only 15.3hh. “He is a wiry type and very hot; but, he is a great jumper and is always ready to go. He is also a really friendly horse and has already made friends with the horse in the next door stable – so we have to ride out together.” Burghley will be the first four star event for the combination who came 8th at Foxhall.

“To ride here is a dream – however Burghley is a different ball game - but also very exciting. The course is technical and I think more technical than big and this is where my lack of experience might tell – there are plenty of lines and combinations.”

The above article and photograph are courtesy of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.