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The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is the pinnacle of the UK autumn Eventing calendar. It is the world’s longest continuous-running international horse trials also having hosted a record 10 championship events, including the first ever World Championship in 1966.
This year will see the 50th Anniversary celebrations with the lucky winner securing £50,000 prize money and earn their rightful place in the event’s history books alongside true greats of the sport. Many of the top international names will be competing, with much at stake as Burghley is an Olympic qualifier. Indeed the entries for the prestigious 4 Star at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials from 1st-4th September include a host of Aussies and Kiwis keen to make their mark.
For Australia the following riders are competing; Sam Griffiths on Danaan Prince and Happy Times, Christopher Burton on Holstein Park Leilani and Newsprint, Lucinda Fredericks on Prada, Hamish Cargill on Sandhills Tiger and Brook Staples on Tova.There are obviously some notable names missing from the big event but as the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials are held the following weekend, incorporating the London 2012 team Eventing qualifier for Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania (FEI Olympic Groups F and G), some of the Aussie big guns may be holding back for that.
The New Zealanders however will be out in force at Burghley. There are 17 entries from the New Zealanders, including Mark Todd on Major Milestone; Andrew Nicholson on Armada, Nereo and Avebury; Caroline Powell on last year's winner, Lenamore and Mrs Tilly; Blyth Tait on Santos II; Clarke Johnstone on Incognito III and Kolora Stud Secrets; Dan Jocelyn on Special Advocate ..... just to mention a few! Many of the Kiwis are of course now based long term in the UK in the lead up to London 2012 and as they, along with Canada, Belgium, Germany and USA, are already qualified for London they are certainly out to make an impact.
Host country Great Britain of course pre-qualifies for the London Games and most of their top riders will be at Burghley including Mary King, William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend, Piggy French, Pippa Funnell and the recently married Zara Phillips (yes, still named Phillips)
Ex-Aussie rider Boyd Martin will be competing for the US on Neville Bardos. Boyd has had a tragic year with the death of four horses in a barn fire in June and the recent death of his father so he deserves all the luck in the world at this event
This year’s Burghley.tv goes ‘live’ on Monday 1st August and once again offers ‘free of charge’ a unique opportunity for you to play, replay and analyse the Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping performances of every rider competing in this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
The rider performances will be available to view from the first day of competition on Thursday 1st September until 30 September 2011 at www.burghleytv.com
Equestrian Life will be at this great event bringing you all of the news and updates so stay tuned!
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