2016 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials gets underway with First Horse Inspection
At the end of the First Horse Inspection 72 horse and rider combinations from ten nations make up the start list for the 2016 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
I have to say the Riders looked super stylish and the horses were impeccably well turned out.It was great to see some local riders to me in the mix such as Paul Sims and Arthur Duffort.
The Members of the Ground Jury, Sue Baxter (GBR), David Lee (IRL) and Anne Mette Binder (DEN) ensure that all horses are fit and ready to compete at this prestigious CCI4* competition. Three horses were held for re-inspection: Roo Fox’s Fleet Street, Stacey Shimmons’s Orions Promise and Holly Payne-Caravella’s Never Outfoxed.
While last year’s winner, Germany’s Michael Jung is not competing in this year’s event, three time consecutive winner Andrew Nicholson, is back from injury and looking for a fairytale ending with a win at Burghley in 2016. Andrew rides Nereo and Qwanza. Strong competition looks set to come from another former winner Oliver Townend who has entered MHS King Joule and Dromgurrihy Blue.
Antipodean riders such as Chris Burton on Nobilis 18 and TS Jamaimo, Jonelle Price on Classic Moet and Tim Price on Ringwood Sky Boy all look like to pose strong challenges for the title.
Former double Olympic Champion Sir Mark Todd (60) will be the oldest rider in the field, while first-timer, Oxfordshire-based Imogen Gloag who at 21 years, is the youngest rider entered. Six French riders will be competing following their nation’s 2016 Rio Eventing gold medal success, including Cedric Lyard, Rodolphe Scherer and Pascal Leroy. While the USA will be fielding five competitors, one of whom is Rio individual medallist Philip Dutton who will be riding Fernhill Fugitive.
The best dressed riders were Arthur Duffort (FRA) and Becky Woolven (GBR) – judged by 2016 Miss Rutland Nikita Azzopardi.
Emilie Chandler will ride the guinea pig dressage test in front of the Ground Jury at 9.10 am before the first combination Tom Crisp with Coolys Luxury kick off the competition in the Main Arena at 9.30am
Tomorrow will see Riders Bill Levett, Abi Boulton,Vicky Brake, Alan Nolan, Jonelle and Tim Price, Dan Jocelyn and many more get dressage under their belts we wish all competitors the best of luck!
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