Oliver Townend has won Burgham International Horse Trials’ feature class – the CCI4*-S – an impressive seven times since 2016, and he has given himself the best possible chance of adding to that tally by leading the dressage after day one at the Northumbrian event.
Riding his 2024 Burgham winner, Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent, the former world number one scored 23.9 in Project Pony-sponsored CCI4*-S section C. This gives him a narrow margin of 0.6 of a penalty over Izzy Taylor and Barrington Alice. Scotland’s Wills Oakden is in third with 25.3 on Keep It Cooley.
Cooley Rosalent, the 2024 Kentucky CCI5* champion, finished runner-up at Badminton this spring, and Burgham is only her second run back after her post-five-star break.
Oliver said: “‘Rosie’ feels fantastic. She feels a lot stronger again than she has felt previously; she’s developing all the time and I felt that some of her work was as good as it has ever been. She’s still slightly fresh, but more than anything this is a very important preparation run for a big event in the autumn.”
Oliver also triumphed in AW Jenkinson intermediate section J on a new ride, HK Horses’ Thunder Bird Z.
“I’ve only had him a very short time, but he’s won both of his first two runs with me within 10 days, and he’s very good fun to ride. He’s a beautiful horse who has been well-produced by Richard Howley and Morgan Kent of HK Horses,” said Oliver.
New Zealand’s Caroline Powell is in pole position in Holme Dodsworth Metals CCI4*-S section D with a dressage mark of 23.3 aboard Nicholas and Fiona Lambert’s 10-year-old Legally Grey.
Caroline said: “He was bought for Fiona Lambert’s ‘big birthday’ as a three-year-old and he’s the most stunning horse. Everyone has been very patient, and it’s lovely to show people now what he can do. There’s a lot more to come from him, which is very exciting.”
Caroline has half a penalty in hand over Paris 2024 Olympic team gold medallists Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall are third on 24.4.
Tom McEwen tops section A of the CCI3*-S, sponsored by WL Straughan & Son Ltd, after dressage on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Danny De Muze. The pair pulled off a score of 20.7, giving them a clear lead of 2.2 penalties over Sweden’s Therese Viklund and Sella.
In the Houghton Country CCI3*-S section B, Bubby Upton is in the lead with a mark of 24.9 on Magic Roundabout IV, owned by her mother Rachel and the Zebedee Syndicate. Sitting in both second and third is Elizabeth Barratt on Big Boss Melo (26.5) and Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau (28). Elizabeth therefore is in prime position in the final trial for selection for the British team for the European Young Rider Championships next month.
Other winners today at Burgham included Lizzie Baugh, who took the Cussins Homes Open Intermediate on En Taro Des Vernier, and Clarke Johnstone, successful in Project Pony Intermediate section J1 on Ceralda. Novice section winners were Sean Henderson, Clarke Johnstone and Indie Vaughan-Jones.
Burgham continues on Friday (25 July) with showjumping and cross-country for the CCI3*-S sections and dressage for the CCI4*-S and CCI2*-S classes. On Saturday CCI4*-S showjumping and cross-country take centre stage.
Saturday and Sunday at Burgham not only offer top-class sport, but also great fun for families, friends and children. There is a fun dog show on both days, and hobby horses for children to “ride”. There’s unaffiliated showjumping on Saturday and a Thoroughbred and Ex-Racehorse Show on Sunday, alongside grassroots eventing classes.
Burgham also features great tradestands and lots of delicious, locally-produced food and drink and public bars. It is situated in beautiful, tranquil Northumbrian countryside not far from the A1 between Morpeth and Alnwick. If you’re looking for a family day out that’s really affordable this summer, you can’t do better than Burgham International Horse Trials (24-27 July) – visit www.burghaminternationalhorsetrials.co.uk to find out more and to buy tickets.
IMAGE © 1st Class Images
