In a dramatic finish, five-time victor Andrew Nicholson was denied a sixth Burghley title, instead settling for runner-up on Nereo.
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It may not have been the most conventional way to win a CCI4*, but such was Christopher Burton’s superiority in the first two phases that he still lifted the Land Rover Burghley title despite lowering four fences in the final showjumping phase.
Former Burghley winners Caroline Powell on Onwards and Upwards, Mark Todd on NZB Campino and Blyth Tait on Bear Necessity V were eighth, ninth and 11th, with Dan Jocelyn on Dassett Cook Touch finishing 13th to round out a strong collective New Zealand display. Tim Price was also 21st on Bango.
It was Nicholson’s third runner-up spot and he was clearly proud of his chestnut. “I feel like I’ve been digging myself out of a hole all week really, but we’ve managed to stay in the competition and claw our way back up, so I’m delighted to be here”, Jonelle said of her rise up the leaderboard. Gate sales on Saturday were also slightly down but we still had huge crowds and were into the overspill vehicle park by 10am – and it was more than made up for on the other days.
The result saw him become the first Australian victor of the Burghley Horse Trials since Lucinda Fredericks rode Headley Britannia to victory back in 2006.
The combination placed fifth last year and third this year, which mathematically lines them up well for 2017.
She added: “We had wonderful advance ticket sales but maybe some people didn’t come on the Saturday which is always a little disappointing”.
Nicholson, riding Nereo, said with what he’s been through, he’s very happy with second place.
Classic Moet proved a real victor for all her connections.
Having started off their campaign lying in 22nd place after dressage, New Zealander Jonelle Price climbed 18 places after cross country to sit in fourth spot coming into the show jumping today, and was another to benefit from her husband’s exit out of the top three.
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Bettina Hoy (GER) and Designer 10 lowered two rails to drop one place to sixth, while seventh-placed Oliver Townend’s clear round on Samuel Thomas II elevated him from 10th to seventh and ensured he finished the best-placed of the British riders.
