A Month of Eventing Extravaganza cont...

As Burghley played host to the Open European Championships last year the usual course Designer, Captain Mark Phillips had had to hand over the reins to Mike Tucker as Captain Phillips was coach to the competing American team. Back at the helm Captain Phillips made two major changes to this years course. The first came at The Leafpit, fences 3 and 4. Last year the hanging log just at the brow of a very steep hill (3), followed a few strides later by a big tree stump (4) caused a lot of problems so this year a flower garden replaced the tree stump. Although it proved a little more jumpable it still caused its fair share of problems. Holland's Eddie Stibbe suffered a fall here and retired as did Caroline Sizer (Grey Spirit II) and Camilla Hall got no further, retiring after two stops. Badminton Winner Chris Bartle, this time riding Oscar, also had a stop here but they battled on before eventually giving up after a fall at the Water Cascade, fence 12. Only 14 horses finished without having incurred jumping penalties. Blyth and Chesterfield survived an incredibly hairy moment when Chesterfield corkscrewed over the final element of Mark Phillips other major change, The Podium Bounces at fences 21, 22 and 23. Although there was only a bounce stride between the three huge fences, they were designed so that it was possible to ride a loop in between each. The combination caught out no fewer than 13 horses and four horses fell.
Of the clear rounds, four really stood out as exemplary. Tanya Liddle, riding in her first four star event attacked the course with her usual dashing style and Mountain Warrior responded with aplomb. Jancis Tulloch (nee. Yeo) sped around the course on Bally Free and was rewarded by climbing from 37th place after dressage to 3rd before the show jumping. "He was absolutely fantastic; he just wanted to jump and gallop. You have to be very soft with him in the mouth and at one point I pulled him back just a fraction too hard and his head flew up and caught me, but he never faltered apart from that.", said Jancis who recorded the fastest round of the day.		Jancis Tulloch flies round Burghley - the fastest of the day and 4th overall ©S.Sparkes
Australian Matt Ryan rode, as usual, at the end of the buckle and Kibah Sandstone, half brother to Matt's Olympic Gold Medal horse Kibah Tic Toc, responded with a foot perfect round. Matt has recently been dogged by a groin injury and his ride on "Sandy" was his first for a month. In contrast to the Saturday, Sunday was breezy but dry. As so few horses were coming forward to the show jumping stage the customary morning session, in which the horses placed lower than twentieth battle out the minor placings, was abandoned. So all the remaining horses jumped in the afternoon. After the testing conditions on Saturday, several horses did not jump well. New Zealander Andrew Bennie's mount Wottabert suffered most from the exertions and the crowds groaned as he lowered a total of nine pole and dropped from 13th to 18th place. Tired Andrew Nicholson and Hinnegar climbed an incredible 53 places on the strength of their ride across country, but Blyth excelled himself by bringing both of his mounts home clear and overnight he held first and second places. Sorely regretting his outburst regarding Chesterfields Dressage marks he commented ruefully "I don't think I'm ever going to be able to live those words down; especially as he is still in the lead."
Matt Ryan on Kibah Sandstone (7th at Burghley) - only a few took the direct route through the arena ©S.Sparkes	Another New Zealander, Dan Jocelyn had four fences down but he was riding the youngest horse in the competition. Eight year old Silence dropped one place from 4th to 5th. Blyth had jumped out of order on Aspyring and had had one fence down. This meant that if Jancis jumped clear she could rise to second place. Unfortunately she forfeited her third place by having three down and let Hinnegar, who jumped clear, into the frame. Last to go, Chesterfield had by now a three fence cushion, but he didn't need it. A foot perfect round meant that Blyth had taken Burghley by storm, the first rider to complete a one-two in the events 37 year history. He now sets his sights on the World Games in Pratini, Italy where he has an excellent chance of adding to his gold medal collection with the charismatic Ready Teddy.

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