After cancellations left, right and centre in the UK due to bad weather there is huge relief this week as the SPC Holdings Burnham Market International Horse Trials goes ahead
Riders from all countries based in the UK are in desperate need of a few starts under their belt and, with the added attraction of every member of the Silver medal winning team from London 2012 competing in Norfolk, the organisers are mighty relieved that the bad weather has abated in time for the event
Earlier in the week,Alec Lochore, Event Director for Burnham Market tweeted with obvious delight “Jumps out, rolling finished and sun is shining at Burnham M – a little chilly! Going good. Entries still available. Live the dream in Norfolk”
Alec Lochore in Adelaide
Alec was of course the Eventing Manager at London 2012 and also the 4* Technical Delegate at the 2012 Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide and is really pleased to have the British team competing and giving the spectators a chance “to get really close these famous riders and horses, having seen them on TV last summer”
Also taking part in this spring’s event is Norfolk’s Piggy French, who sadly missed out on her place at London 2012. Among her other rides, Piggy will be riding her new mount, Westwood Mariner for a syndicate of owners. Westwood Mariner, formerly owned by Arthur Comyn contested two CCI 4* while ridden by Polly Stockton who is currently pregnant with her second child
Amongst international competitors at Burnham Market 28th-30th March are other riders who represented their nations at London 2012, including Kai Ruder, GER, Andrew Nicholson NZ, Aoife Clark IRE, Caroline Powell NZ and Ludwig Svennerstahl, SWE.
Some classes have completed included the Open Intermediate won by Pippa Funnell and Billy Landretti (27.6), New Zealand’s Caroline Powell and Onwards and Upwards in second place (32.2) and Aoife Clarke on Fenyas Elegance third (37.9). Australia’s Sammi McLeod was riding Kintara in this class but unfortunately retired on cross country
Bill Levett and Athleet V on course at Burnham Market Photo: Rachel Wakefield
In the Intermediate Section J Bill Levett came second on Athleet V (33.4), just behind Oliver Townend on Harthill Percy (30.4) and Brook Staples was sixth on Bauza Z (37.8)
The CIC 2* Section A did their dressage on Thursday and the class is currently led by Kitty King riding Persimmon while Australian Kevin McNab is in equal 11th on Brookfield Hero and equal 19th on Fernhill Quality Street
In the CIC 3* Section B, who also did dressage on Thursday, William Fox-Pitt leads on Chilli Morning (he has five horses in the top 20) and Bill Levett on Shannondale Titan is in 20th place, equal 31st on Ballymore Rich Cat and equal 37th on Improvise. Sammi McLeod is in equal 34th on Winnetou M
The rest of the action, including the Advanced Section, chocabloc with Kiwis and other top riders including Andrew Nicholson on Quimbo, Avebury, Calico Joe and Nereo, Jock Paget on Clifton Lush, Bullet Proof and Clifton Promise, Mary King on Fernhill Urco and Kevin McNab on Clifton Pinot takes place on Saturday
Mary King rode Imperial Cavalier in the CIC 3* and is in 10th place – here she talks to the Burnham Market TV and they show a little of her dressage plus a quick round up from Alec Lochore
