Today started with the news that three horses had been withdrawn from the competition, including Jock Paget’s second placed Clifton Lush. Tom Crisp’s Liberal was the only horse not accepted at the second horse inspection, although Sam Griffiths was one who had a tense moment with Happy Times being sent to the holding box but was accepted on representing.
The show jumping arena is always packed on the final day providing plenty of atmosphere and a beautifully presented track by course designer Richard Jeffery. Richard knows this arena well, having been the show jumping course designer here for five years and is also the course designer at another 4* event, Rolex Kentucky. Although there are only a few fences at the maximum height of 1.30m, there was plenty to challenge the riders in their 91 seconds of jumping on the final day.
“If this course was at Rolex” said Richard “nearly every jump would be 1.30m because it’s a lovely flat ring with the best footing in the world. The horses just love it there, they jump off it so well. Here you’ve got the undulations and that’s what we take into account; the ups and downs, the track of the dressage, the slope over there, the way it falls away here, that all adds another dimension. So, in theory, although this is generally below the maximum in height, it’s equal because of the ground conditions”
Very flat cups on the Gate, Fence 8
As always the show jumping ran in reverse order and the morning session kicked off at 10:30am. Local rider, 28 year old Alex Postolowsky was one of the Burghley first timers who celebrated completion of the event and we caught up with her after her round on Islanmore Ginger. Talking to BBC Local News on camera straight afterwards, the realisation of what she had achieved hit her and a few tears started to roll down her face. She was joined by the horse’s owner Elaine Newbert and together they laughed and cried about the journey that Alex and Islanmore Ginger had just completed; a really lovely moment. Alex was later also named the winner of the HSBC Bursary for the highest 4* placed first timer
A new face - we talk to Alex Postolowsky
Paul Tapner probably felt like shedding a few tears too as he jumped a beautiful clear round on Kilronan who looked to be on great form. Sadly, his run out yesterday put him out of contention at this year’s event but today’s show jumping round bodes well for the future.
Paul Tapner and Kilronan
A generous lunch break of two and a half hours means that the trade stands were packed and the food stalls, brimming with goodies to eat here or take home, were doing a roaring trade with buyers and tasters. In the main arena the Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show final took place followed by the parade of two legends of National Hunt racing; Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges.
Kauto Star is of course now ridden by young British eventing star Laura Collett who has just recovered from a nasty fall which left her in hospital for two weeks. Amazingly Laura rode only three weeks after her accident, recently won her first competition back in the saddle thanks to “Super Steve” (Noble Bestman) and was certainly looking very perky when interviewed in the Celebrity Talk Area.
Laura Collett interviewed by Jonty Evans in the Celebrity Talk area
“He is just an out and out legend who wants his picture taken the whole time and everyone to give him treats” said Laura of the five-time King George VI Chase winner, Kauto Star, who she is re-training for dressage.
Plenty of choice for lunch
After an action packed or relaxing lunch break, depending on your preference, the focus turned to the main event – who was going to win this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and would Jock Paget be on his way to a Rolex Grand Slam?
Of the 19 riders to take part in the morning session, six had enjoyed clear rounds but, as the afternoon session wore on, it became obvious that clear rounds were not to be a feature of the afternoon. The most influential fences eleven and thirteen were both at maximum height; fence eleven was seven strides from the triple combination and thirteen was the final fence on course.
Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe
With three horses in the top 20, Andrew Nicholson jumped his first horse Calico Joe early in the piece and, despite picking up 12 faults, he stayed in the lead until his second horse, Avebury moved into the lead on a score of 46.3.
Sam Griffiths also went out of order with two in the top 20; Paulank Brockagh had one rail and one time fault, which was a good result on this course, to finish in 15th (68.1) and Happy Times had two late rails to finish in 13th (65.5).
Kevin McNab (above) also had two rails and one time fault to finish between Sam’s horses in 14th place (67.7) meaning that both riders made it into the line-up. By the time the final five started to jump, there still had not been a clear round and despite some very good riding from Ingrid Klimke (four faults), Jonelle Richards (12 faults), William Fox-Pitt (8 faults) and Andrew Nicholson, yet again, on Avebury (four faults), the pressure was on Jock Paget to produce one.
He very nearly did, producing a lovely round on Clifton Promise, until the very last fence. However, he was the 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials champion - another remarkable achievement to add to his list and put him one step closer to a possible Rolex Grand Slam
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet” said the likeable and laid back Kiwi “But it’s good”
Andrew Nicholson took second and third place on Avebury and Nereo and also won the HSBC FEI Classics series, worth $150,000 (£96,000). Quite a day for the two Kiwis
View all show jumping rounds on BurghleyTV
