New Zealand riders are dominating the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials, with seven in the top 10 after an edge-of-your seat night of cross country jumping in the UK.
Jock Paget is in the dream position of first and second aboard Clifton Promise (owned by Frances Stead) and Clifton Lush (owned by Frances Stead and Lucy Allison), with Andrew Nicholson aboard Avbury (owned by Mark and Rosemary Barlow) in third and Nereo (owned by Libby Sellar) in fifth. Jonelle Richards and The Deputy (owned by Lucy Sangster) are right behind in sixth, Nicholson again, this time on Calico Joe, in eighth and Sir Mark Todd rounds out the top 10 on Oloa (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Pip McCarrol).
The Kiwis are again the talk of the equestrian world. But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Paget was pulled up twice on course – once with each horse – as his horses were checked after blood was seen around their mouths. Clifton Promise had bitten his tongue and Clifton Lush knocked his nose on a jump. Both were fine and allowed to continue.
While the small break suited Clifton Lush, Paget said it was a challenge to get Clifton Promise’s attention once they were back underway.
“We were held at good places . . . we had got the tough stuff out of the way and it was time to put the foot down and make up some time. If it was earlier, in the guts of it, it would have been a different story, but Promise is such an exceptional horse that he still finished fast and clear.”
The Captain Mark Phillips designed course delivered, with just three horses home clear and inside time – Paget on Clifton Lush and Nicholson on his 2012 Burghley champ Avebury and also on Calico Joe, making it look all too easy.
Forty-seven of the 62 strong field completed the cross country, and while jump faults weren’t common, there were plenty of time faults.
If Paget wins aboard Clifton Promise, he will be the first rider since 1989 to take the Badminton-Burghley double with the same horse – and he’s more than just a little determined to do just that.
“Being in this position is one of those things you never get to enjoy when you are in it,” says Paget. “There is too much work to do to sit down and enjoy it.”
Looking ahead to the showjuming round tomorrow, he says both horses are careful jumpers who will try their hearts out for him.
“Promise is such an amazing horse – he deserves the Badminton-Burghley double. He is getting on a little now and I’m not sure how many runs he will have in him after this . . . it would be nice to bag the win.”
But to do that, he has to hold on to his lead, and he’s got the very masterful Andrew Nicholson right on his heels.
“Andrew is a hero and he has helped me a lot,” said Paget. “Without him, I wouldn’t be here, so it is great to be up at the front with him . . . but we are both trying to beat each other tomorrow and I will do whatever I can to make sure I win.”
Nicholson, who is creating a little history himself as the first to ride three horses at Burghley, says he is confident Nereo and Avebury are more than capable of clear showjumping rounds. He and Avebury are 5.1 points behind Clifton Promise – a single rail in showjumping is worth four – with Nereo just another point back.
“Both are hardened professionals and are good at their jobs,” he said. “This is certainly a Burghley I won’t forget . . . and it’s not over yet!
“What Jock is doing for our New Zealand squad is unbelievable. We have a great team squad and just keep getting better and better.”
Sir Mark Todd, who sits in 10th spot with Oloa (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Pip McCarrol), who was previously ridden by William Fox-Pitt, was very pleased with the efforts of his new horse. It is just the fourth time they have competed together, and their first four star.
“The World Championships are coming up next year and he is a nice string to have to my bow,” says Todd. “I have my two best ones off with injury, so it depends how well they come back in the spring, but he would be up there with them.”
There is another strong Kiwi tie in the top four – Brit Fox-Pitt is in fourth place aboard the New Zealand thoroughbred Parkland Hawk, on whom he won Burghley in 2011.
Results (after dressage and cross country phases) -
Jock Paget (NZL) Clifton Promise (owned by Frances Stead) 37.1 penalty points 1, Jonathan Paget (NZL) Clifton Lush (owned by Frances Stead and Lucy Allison) 42 2, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Avebury (owned by Mark and Rosemary Barlow) 42.3 3, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Parklane Hawk 42.3 4, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Nereo (owned by Libby Sellar) 43.3 5, Jonelle Richards (NZL) The Deputy (owned by Lucy Sangster) 47.4 6, Ingrid Klimke (GER) FRH Butts Abraxxas 48.2 7, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Calico Joe 48.3 8, Nicola Wilson (GBR) Opposition Buzz 50.9 9, Sir Mark Todd (NZL) Oloa (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Pip McCarrol) 55.5 10, Neil Spratt (NZL) Upleadon (owned by Sharon Robbins, Annitta Engel and Spratt) 61.6 18, Jonelle Richards (NZL) Flintstar (owned by Darnelle Hubbard, Tim Price and Mrs K Gray) 68.2 23, Lucy Jackson (NZL) Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenlees and Jackson) eliminated, Sir Mark Todd (NZL) Ravenstar (owned by team Rutledge Recruitment and Training) withdrawn.
For full results, head to - http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/13/
- Diana Dobson, ESNZ High Performance Media Liaison
