Burghley
After Day 2 of dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Phillip Dutton and TruLuck still lead the way for the Americans with a score of 45.3, placing him in fourth. Allison Springer and Arthur follow close behind in 7th place with a score of 47.3. With a very challenging cross-country course still to come, the standings are tight and placings will surely shuffle. See up to the minute results at here.
The Americans threw down the gauntlet today at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, proving the U.S. is a force to be reckoned with in international competition. The four U.S. riders who competed during today’s first day of dressage all finished within the top 15, with Phillip Dutton and TruLuck (pictured left, photo by StockImageServices.com) proudly heading up the overall leaderboard with a 45.3. Allison Springer & Arthur, Jennifer Wooten-Dafoe & The Good Witch, Buck Davidson & Ballynoecastle RM, Amy Tryon & Leyland, and Canadian riders Diana Burnett (& Manny) and Kyle Carter (& Madison Park) will all compete tomorrow. Complete Results
The 2009 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials kicks off today with the first horse inspection… here are a list of fun links & tidbits so you can follow along with all the American riders! With eight U.S. riders and two Canadians set to compete at one of the world’s most renowned four-star events, you don’t want to miss a second of the action…
(Left: William Fox-Pitt took first and second last year aboard Tamarillo, pictured, and Ballincoola. Could he pull off a one-two finish with Macchiato and Seacookie this year? Not if the Americans have anything to say about it! Photo: StockImageServices.com)
Mark Phillips On His Course
Author: Jo
(Phillip and Woodburn take the mushrooms at Coutts Curve with ease. Photo: Stock Image Services.com/ Anthony Trollope)
Mark Phillips was happy with the way the course held up in spite of all the rain that has fallen at Burghley in the last couple of days. “This was a tough course but it was made more difficult because of the rain,” he said. It was, though, definitely a course for the experienced which was evidenced by the names at the top of the leaderboard.
Author: Jo
“This is Woodburn’s biggest test to date,” said Phillip Dutton after his brilliant clear round. “He stepped up to the plate and answered every question.” When asked about how the footing stood up to all the rain Phillip said he was surprised how well it stood up. “It was definitely soft, but my horse just seemed to gallop right across the top of it. He is very fit and will recover well.”
(Phillip and Woodburn jump the last to finish clear and inside the time.
Photo: Jan Milne)
Though the course did cause some problems Mark Phillips was pleased overall with the way it rode. “This was a tough course,” he said, “and the rain made it very difficult. Having said that the cream did rise to the top.” It was a course that certainly was best suited to the experienced and the names at the top of the leaderboard said it all. When asked about the mushrooms (Coutts Curve, Numbers 25-26) which were the cause of some riders going home to the barn, including daughter Zara, Mark said that the second one jumped well but the first one was a problem last year. This year he had moved it in an effort to improve the ride but it still didn’t work so it won’t be there next year. “A few riders will have some dents in their pride but those heal quickly,” he said.
At the close of dressage at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Ruth Edge and Mr. Dumbledore went into the lead at the beginning of the day and now go forward to cross-country day with 5.4 penalties I hand over the second placed combination of Lucy Wiegersma and Shaabrak, owned by Mr. Mark Lean.
(Above: Shaabrak and Lucy Wiegersma back in top form after missing their trip to Hong Kong. Jan Milne Photo.)
Flint Curtis and Mr. Edward Nicholson’s and Mr. Robert Nicholson’s Flint Curtis (Sire-William Curtis, Dam-Zircon)
Photo: Stockimageservices.com/Anthony Trollope
Phillip Dutton and Acorn Hill Farm’s Woodburn at the First Horse Inspection at Burghley
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials kicked off today with the First Horse Inspection. Phillip Dutton and Woodburn jogged up before Ground Jury whose President this year is our very own Brian Ross. The saddest news of the day came when Brandenburg’s Joshua failed the inspection which was a huge disappointment for Stephen Bradley who co-owns the horse with Southern Edition Farm. Seventy one horses and riders go forward to dressage which begins tomorrow.
Fourteen ‘first timers’ come under starter’s orders, including one of the most experienced Burghley first timers ever. Australian Stuart Tinney, an Olympic gold medallist in Sydney makes his first appearance at the age of 47 with the 12-year-old grey Vettori. More
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