Photo ©Jenelle Christopher

London Olympian and #Rio2016 hopeful Chris Burton has guided two horses to a top five finish at the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – one of only six CCI4* eventing competitions in the world.

It is the first time that Burton has completed Burghley and he did so in style, producing two clear show jumping rounds which secured third position for TS Jamaimo and fourth for Haruzac.  

“I haven’t had a very good run here before,” said Burton. “I came here as a young rider from Australia in 2004 and fell off at the third fence, so just to see the finish flags was a pretty good feeling,” he said.

“To jump double clear on two horses at Burghley is something I have only ever dreamt,” he said.

Listen to Chris’ interview

Photo ©Jenelle Christopher

The third placed TS Jamaimo was selected to represent Australia at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games after Burton famously rode him to victory at the 2013 Australian International Three Day Event CCI4* as a catch ride.

Just as he did at Adelaide, Jamaimo finish Burghley on his dressage score – the only horse in the 74 strong field to achieve this feat.
Burton’s compatriot Sam Griffiths and his World Equestrian Games horse Paulank Brockagh also pulled off a top ten finish after producing a clear show jumping round.

“I could have done anything out there and she (Paulank Brockagh) would have left all the rails up – she’s that good a horse.” Said Griffiths.

Listen to Sam’s Interview

The event was won by 2012 Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung (La Biosthetique Sam) of Germany with Tim Price (Ringwood Skyboy) of New Zealand finished runner-up, both riders producing clear show jumping rounds to secure their positions on the podium.

 
Here’s how the rest of the Aussies finished up:

3rd Chris Burton and TS Jamaimo 45
4th Chris Burton and Haruzac 47.6
9th Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh 57.7
13th Paul Tapner and Kilronan 64.9
15th Bill Levett and Improvise 69.7
20th Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks 73.5
27th Sam Griffiths and Happy Times 79.2
34th Paul Tapner and Vanir Kamira 93.3
46th Warren Lamperd and Silvia 119.3
 

Full results at: http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk/
 

Source: Equestrian Australia media release

View more photos from the 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials here, here and here.