After an extremely exciting two jumping phases at Burghley, Tim Price made it a Price 4 star double by winning Burghley Horse Trials 2018. This success comes after his wife Jonelle Price won Badminton earlier this year. They will both be attending the World Equestrian Games later this month as part of the New Zealand team.
The Cross Country
The changing direction on the course and the introduction of the new flyover gave the cross country course at Burghley a very different feel. It really shook things up with only 45 of the 68 competitors managing to complete the course. 10 combinations were eliminated, including Mark Todd on his over night leading ride Kilturbrid Rhapsody. 13 combinations retired on course. 38 combinations managed to get home without any jumping penalties and 4 managed to get home within the time.
The leaf pit caused problems for quite a few riders with 11 combinations picking up jumping penalties or getting eliminated through this combination. The Rolex combination was another fence that caught a few riders out. The heat combined with the new direction of the cross country led to many of the horses looking tired towards the end of the course. And with the majority of the final fences being big single fences, the last stretch was hard work.
I watched Warren Lampard on his way home on Silvia. While this mare looked tired galloping, she was jumping really well still. After they landed over the 3rd last fence, Warren gave her a pat and told her there were only two jumps left as they galloped past on a long rein. I thought this was a lovely bit of riding!
The Show Jumping
6 combinations withdrew before the show jumping started yesterday, including 5 of the cross country clears from Saturday. The show jumping course itself didn’t look too challenging but it certainly proved tricky for the competitors. Only 8 of the 39 combinations managed to jump round clear and 17 competitors racked up more than 4 penalties in this phase.
With less than a fence between the top 4 riders, the final few rounds were very exciting. Andrew Nicholson, who was currently sitting in 5th place with Swallow Springs jumped clear to secure a minimum of 5th place with less than a fence between him and the second placed rider. With the next three riders all having fences down, He was guaranteed a minimum of 2nd place at Burghley with the relatively new and young Swallow Springs.
Tim Price, the overnight leader after the cross country with Ringwood Sky Boy came into the arena with a fence in hand. But it turned out that they didn’t need it. They rode a beautiful round with Ringwood Sky Boy showing once again why he has been so consistent in this competition by ending his past 3 years placing in the top 5 at Burghley by winning!
Tim Price (NZL) riding RINGWOOD SKY BOY
Top 10
- Tim Price & Ringwood Sky Boy
- Oliver Townend & Ballaghmour Class
- Andrew Nicholson & Swallow Springs
- Sarah Bullimore & Reve Du Rouet
- Piggy French & Vamir Kamira
- Harry Meade & Away Cruising
- Richard Jones & Alfies Clover
- Willa Newton & Chance Remark
- Elizabeth Newton & Soladoun
- Tim Price & Bango
Galley Light
Unfortunately Ben Way & Galley Light retired on the cross country course on Saturday. They started well, but after having a bit at trouble at the trout hatchery, they headed on to the Joules corners. Galley light misjudged the first oxer, crashing down on the back half, breaking one of the pins. Luckily they both stayed on their feet and Ben popped him over the next alternative oxer before deciding to retire. I think this was a very good move by Ben, Galley hadn’t looked to be his usual self and hadn’t been reading the fences properly. Finishing on a nice jump before retiring was nice to see too,
This means that no ex racehorses managed to complete Burghley this year. But we do have at least two ex racehorses eventing at the World Equestrian Games later this month. So we have that to look forward to!
Last Updated on 03/09/2018
