A CALMING word in the ear was all Oxfordshire rider Izzy Taylor needed to give her horse as the combination stormed into the top three at the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
Taylor and her horse Springpower are third in the overall standings after kicking off their challenge towards the end of the second day of dressage action at Burghley House, near Stamford.
The 36-year-old, who is based near Bicester, is competing at the prestigious five-star event for the first time since 2017 while the Irish Sport Horse gelding is making his debut.
And while the camera-shy 10-year-old had a few early wobbles in the dressage ring, Taylor was delighted with the way he recovered to show the huge potential he has at this level.
“I’m very pleased with him as he’s still green at this level, he’s only ten,” she said. “He went to Badminton Friday afternoon and that slightly went to his head a little bit.
“We had a bit of homework to do and he came in here and the cameras are very close, he got a bit tense, but he came back to me and there’s still masses more to come.
“It’s a relationship and we had a little bit of time around the arena and I was able to say to him it’s alright, we’re still together, I’m still here and we’re fine - let’s go and do this.
“There were a couple of mistakes in there so there still a lot more to come. He is very exciting horse for the future as he’s a horse that the owners have been with since day one.
“We’re at Burghley, it’s the biggest, toughest, longest track there is for us. We’ve got to think the whole way round as there’s lots of combinations, a lot to think about.
“He really enjoys the cross-country phase but there is obviously a lot to do. We are at Burghley and it is very, very tough, and there is no fence to be not concentrating on.”
The world-renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six five-star events in the eventing calendar - and one third of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
It has become one of the most popular and highly regarded events within the equestrian and social calendars, ranking within the UK’s top ten national sporting occasions by attendance.
Two days of dressage are followed by cross-country on Saturday and the showjumping finale on Sunday at family-friendly Burghley, which attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.
Taylor will now attempt to conquer Captain Mark Phillips’ formidable cross-country course with debutant Springpower - but she is confident he has what it takes to rise to the challenge.
“I think the middle section is very intense so it’s going to be busy physically and mentally, it’s more a case of staying alert and seeing him home,” she said.
“We wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think he was a Burghley horse, so that’s the aim and obviously we have to think on our feet like we do at any other event.
“Unusually for me I’m at the end of the day with nothing to do, so it will be a different situation to what I’m used to and I will have to keep that in mind.
“I’ll have a look at the ones I want to look at, shut my eyes at some of the ones that aren’t relevant but I’m just going to try and stay quiet and not over rev myself.”
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 5 - 8) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
By Peter White, Sportsbeat – 020 3026 3780
WITH three horses safely in the top 20, reigning champion Tim Price was in a buoyant mood after the first phase of competition at the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
The Marlborough-based rider, 40, and horse Ringwood Sky Boy sit equal-ninth in the overall standings after the second day of dressage action at Burghley House, near Stamford, with Bango and Xavier Faer tied-11th and 20th respectively.
Following two rides on the first day of the event, Price insisted it was logical to compete on three ideally suited horses and so far his decision appears to be paying dividends.
After completing his ride with Ringwood Sky Boy, he said: “I was absolutely delighted with him. I think it’s the best he’s done in this kind of atmosphere and it’s a shame that wasn’t quite reflected in the score.
“He’s such a good workman of a horse and I think he delivered that kind of performance. I’m still in with a chance on three horses and I’m really happy with all of them after the dressage phase.”
Elsewhere Jonelle Price, 38, admitted there is still all to play for despite being disappointed with her performance on Faerie Dianimo, which saw her finish two places above partner Tim in equal seventh. Oaksey-based Dan Jocelyn ended the phase in 25th on Blackthorn Cruise.
“It’s not quite the start I was hoping for,” Jonelle Price said. “But dressage isn’t always hugely important and it’s still early days.
“She’s in the hunt going into the cross-country and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the course.”
The world-renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six five-star events in the eventing calendar - and one third of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
It has become one of the most popular and highly regarded events within the equestrian and social calendars, ranking within the UK’s top ten national sporting occasions by attendance.
Two days of dressage are followed by cross-country on Saturday and the showjumping finale on Sunday at family-friendly Burghley, which attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.
Ahead of the second phase, Tim Price admitted he’s still debating the best plan of attack as he looks to finish strongly on all three horses.
“There are a couple of places where I’m still considering what to do, but the course is very cleverly designed,” he said.
“You’ve got to start in a way that allows the horse to get into the course, but not too much at the expense of the clock.
“My objective on all of the horses is to make sure we can see what they’ve got coming home. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 5 - 8) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
By Peter White, Sportsbeat – 020 3026 3780
RIDING a horse making its five-star debut, Stroud’s Zara Tindall was delighted with a top-20 finish after phase one of the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
Tindall, 38, and horse Class Affair sit 17th in the overall standings after the second day of dressage action at Burghley House, near Stamford.
And despite admitting she had been slightly apprehensive about how her 10-year-old gelding would perform on the biggest stage, Tindall was in a buoyant mood after such a solid start.
“He was really good,” she said. “He can be quite tricky with people and things like that but he’s only young, it’s his first five-star and I’m really excited that he’s just gone out and been great.
“I’ve been to Bramham with him and I always knew he was good on the cross-country, so I’m really pleased he’s been able to perform like that in the dressage.
“I hope that translates to the two other phases now, but he’s still growing up and figuring things out, so I’m really excited for the future as well.”
Elsewhere, Cheltenham-based Samantha Lissington was thrilled with her debut Burghley performance after finishing equal-54th at the end of the dressage stage on Ricker Ridge Rui. Ludwig Svennerstal currently sits equal-21st in the standings on his second horse, Balham Mist.
Lissington, who has been using Blyth Tait’s old yard since recently moving to the UK, said: “It’s been an adventure and a half coming here and I’m really happy.
“There was quite a lot of pressure – we’ve flown a long way and given up a lot to get to events like this in the UK. Also, the last time I attempted a five-star it didn’t go well.
“But he was great. He can get a bit excited about the dressage, but he was relaxed and nothing disastrous happened.”
The world-renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six five-star events in the eventing calendar - and one third of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
It has become one of the most popular and highly regarded events within the equestrian and social calendars, ranking within the UK’s top ten national sporting occasions by attendance.
Two days of dressage are followed by cross-country on Saturday and the showjumping finale on Sunday at family-friendly Burghley, which attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.
Despite being on a rookie horse, Tindall is excited about unleashing Class Affair on the cross-country course but explains she will be looking to execute a plan.
“I’m glad I’m on a jumper,” she said. “But I will need to make sure I keep him quiet at the beginning because he can come out of the blocks a bit quick.
“We’re going to try and make every jump as economical as possible and try to save as much petrol in the tank as we can to ensure we can come home with loads of energy.
“As soon as he’s settled it should be great and I’m really looking forward to it.”
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 5 - 8) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
By Peter White, Sportsbeat – 020 3026 3780
HAVING not being able to sit or stand a day before the start of the competition, 2017 Champion Oliver Townend was delighted with how he started this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
Ellesmere’s Townend and horse Ballaghmor Class sit second in the overall standings after the second day of dressage action at Burghley House, near Stamford.
And the 38-year-old hailed the work of his horse and GB Equestrian’s head of physio for helping him in his quest to reclaim the Burghley crown.
He said: “He’s getting very established now; he’s a lot more strong than he used to be and I’m really happy.
“He’s still only 12 – we know how good he is but he’s not finished improving and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him even though he’s finished first and second on his two appearances at Burghley.
“I was really struggling with a back injury before the event and I couldn’t have done anything without the help of Ashleigh Wallace.
“She’s been a miracle worker and hopefully I can continue to get stronger as the competition continues.”
Elsewhere, Claverley’s Emily Philp, 34, admitted her debut Burghley performance was tinged with disappointment after finishing 31st at the end of the dressage stage on Camembert.
“A lot of the work was really good, but some of the changes and the canter work let us down which is frustrating because at home I’ve seen him do it,” she said.
“I think he was just excited about everyone clapping and cheering, but he’s incredible and I’m so thrilled to be here.”
The world-renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six five-star events in the eventing calendar - and one third of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
It has become one of the most popular and highly regarded events within the equestrian and social calendars, ranking within the UK’s top ten national sporting occasions by attendance.
Two days of dressage are followed by cross-country on Saturday and the showjumping finale on Sunday at family-friendly Burghley, which attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.
Ahead of the second phase of the competition, Townend admitted his back pain had dampened his enthusiasm for the brutal jumps coming his way.
“I’m not looking forward to any of it,” he said. “But my horse has got his best bits to come and I’ll make a plan to make sure we execute it as best we can.
“I think we’ve got a good chance of challenging at the top after the dressage phase so hopefully we can build on a good performance so far.”
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 5 - 8) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
By Peter White, Sportsbeat – 020 3026 3780
FORMER champion Pippa Funnell admitted she made up for earlier disappointment after topping the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials leaderboard at the conclusion of the dressage phase.
The Dorking-based rider, 50, sits equal-14th with Billy Walk On after an error-strewn test, but put things right with a score of 22.8 with MGH Grafton Street to top the ranks after day two of equine action at Burghley House, near Stamford.
Having recently returned from Team GB action at the European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, Funnell believes it may have taken her some time to get into the groove of the competition.
But, having had a stern with herself after a below-par day one, she was thrilled with the way she responded on the second of two rookie horses at five-star level.
She said: “Last night I was thinking it was ridiculous how low down I was in the standings and I knew I had to get my act together today.
“He was really good, but he’s a horse that has always scored well on the flat. He seems to get good marks in dressage, even though a lot of the time I don’t feel that comfortable riding him.
“But today it all came together. I just hope that can continue because he’s quite the comedian and I don’t think it’s over with this horse by any stretch.”
Elsewhere, Rebecca Gibbs – also from Dorking – is hoping she can make it to the final day at this year’s competition after having to withdraw before the showjumping phase with De Beers Dilletante in 2018.
Sitting 36th in the standings after the dressage, she said: “I’m really hoping he can do it because he deserves it for his CV.
“He’s quite relaxed and he’s been really good so far. I’ve really looked after him and he’s just got to go for it now.”
The world-renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six five-star events in the eventing calendar - and one third of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.
It has become one of the most popular and highly regarded events within the equestrian and social calendars, ranking within the UK’s top ten national sporting occasions by attendance.
Two days of dressage are followed by cross-country on Saturday and the showjumping finale on Sunday at family-friendly Burghley, which attracts more than 160,000 visitors each year.
Ahead of the second phase, competition leader Funnell admitted there was plenty to play for with many questions to be asked by the cross-country course.
“Dimensionally, it’s very big and you have got to concentrate from the beginning to the end,” she said.
“There are also some seriously big fences out there and it’s going to be a challenge. But that’s what it’s like at Burghley and I can’t wait to get out there again.”
Source: Pressrelease
Photo: Pressrelease