Photos – Trevor Holt
I suppose the Australian eventing pundit who asked ‘what does Burton think he is doing with Jung’s cast-off?’ has his answer now, as Christopher mastered the Burghley track on Nobilis, the horse he acquired from ‘Magic Michi’ to go into the showjumping with two rails in hand. Christopher had the second fastest time of the day – finishing just 8 seconds over the optimum time of 11 minutes 11.
Two Kiwis occupy the next two places: Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy, who had the third fastest round, to go to second. The ageless combo of Andrew Nicholson and the 16-year-old Nereo, collected 12 time penalties, for third.
Tim’s wife, Jonelle, was quickest of all, only 4 seconds over time on Classic Moet, to move into fourth place.
Bettina Hoy (GER), the Dressage runner-up on Designer finished with 19.2 time penalties to take fifth place at this stage.
The other Australians in the field, Shane Rose, Sonja Johnson, Sam Griffiths and Paul Tapner didn’t have the best of days. Shane pulled up Shanghai Joe at the Road to Rio double in the main arena (28, 29) and incurred 11 penalties for breaking a frangible device at the Cross Rails (25) on Virgil, who picked up 34.8 time to sit 25th going into the showjumping. Sam retired on course with Happy Times.
Sam and Happy Times – he had to retire the horse when he broke a stirrup
Sonja fell from Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison at the Rolex corner (15), and Paul was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up after a fall with Up In the Air at the rails at Herbert’s Hollow (22).
Bill Levett and Improvise picked up 20 time and are sitting in ninth, while Andrew Hoy who fell with The Blue Frontier, moved up to 15th on Rutherglen with 23.6 time.
Andrew and Rutherglen into 15th
Forty riders completed with 28 clear rounds; Holly Payne-Caravella (USA) is best of the 16 Burghley first-timers in 17th place on Never Outfoxed.
Results after Cross Country
1 Christopher Burton/Nobilis 18 (AUS) 30.2 + 3.2 = 33.4
2 Tim Price/Ringwood Sky Boy (NZL) 38.9 + 6.0 = 44.9
3 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 35.2 + 12.0 = 47.2
4 Jonelle Price/Classic Moet (NZL) 48.5 + 1.6 = 50.1
5 Bettina Hoy/Designer 10 (GER) 34.5 + 19.2 = 53.7
6 Sir Mark Todd/NZB Campino (NZL) 42.2 + 16.8 = 59.0
7 Caroline Powell/Onwards and Upwards (NZL) 37.8 + 21.6 = 59.4
8 Cedric Lyard/Cadeau du Roi (FRA) 46.0 + 13.6 = 59.6
9 Bill Levett/Improvise (AUS) 42.5 + 20.0 = 62.5
10 Oliver Townend/Samuel Thomas ll (GBR) 53.4 + 9.6 = 63.0
Super amazing photos! Such skilled riders. I love watching cross country!