A very British Burghley

Pippa Funnell, Burghley champion once more (Image: Libby Law)

It was Rule Britannia at the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse trials, as the top four places all went to the home side, and Pippa Funnell seized victory with MGH Grafton Street, 14 years after her last win with Primmore’s Pride.

MGH Grafton Street didn’t look the easiest, but he got the job done (Image: Libby Law)

Pippa and her fellow British team-mates Piggy French (second with Vanir Kamira) and Oliver Townend (third with Ballaghmor Class) all lowered a rail in the final phase so the top three places remained unchanged, and the popular, ever-modest Pippa was overcome with emotion. 

“I’m really embarrassed by that round and in shock – big shock,” she says.

“He’s not the best show jumper but I’ve always been convinced he had a big win in him.”

Piggy French was thrilled with second on Vanir Kamira (Image: Libby Law)

Piggy was just 0.1penalty behind, on her Badminton winner. Their show jumping round started ominously when Vanir Kamira had the first fence down, but the mare picked up and completed the rest without a fault.

“It could easily have been four down,” admits Piggy. “I’m delighted to be second to be honest. She owes me nothing after everything she’s achieved, so I’ve got to be happy.”

Oliver Townend and Ballagmor Class, a complete set (Image: Libby Law)

Oliver now has the complete set of Burghley podium finishes with Ballagmor Class, who won in 2017 and was second last year. Their round was smooth and confident, though they had a rail at fence two. 

“It was a bit of a cheap fence to have if I’m honest as he barely touched it, but Piggy and Pippa have been amazing all week and their horses were just too good,” says Oliver. “I think British eventing is in a really good place right now as we’ve all had big wins between us this year.”

Pippa lead from start to finish (Image: Libby Law)

A clear round bumped fellow Brit Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet up one place to fourth on 39.6, equalling their 2018 result.

Tim Price finished fifth with Bango, bettering the 10th place they achieved last year.

Tim and Bango jumped clear to finish fifth (Image: Libby Law)

“It was a lovely round and I’m really pleased for the horse as it’s finally feeling like everything is starting to come together for him – he’s not always been the easiest,” he says.

A clear round also moved Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden up another place to finish sixth after lying 60th after dressage. A fence down dropped Gemma Tattersall and Santiago Bay to seventh, and two down dropped Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal and Stinger from fourth overnight to eighth.

Two American riders completed the top 10 – Lauren Kieffer and Vermiculus were ninth on 53.1, with Burghley first-timers Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan’s clear round moving them up two places to 10th.

The next-best placed New Zealand rider was Caroline Powell, who had two fences down with On the Brash and dropped a place to 20th.

Caroline Powell and On the Brash (Image: Libby Law)

Dan Jocelyn was clear with the very promising Blackthorn Cruise, and rose from 26th to 24th place.

Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise (Image: Libby Law)

And Sam Lissington, completing her first Burghley with aplomb, had one rail down, moved up from 32nd to 30th place, and was justifiably ecstatic with her horse’s performance.

Sam Lissington did herself proud to complete her first Burghley (Image: Libby Law)

“He did us all proud,” she says.

In the end just 31 of the original 67 starters completed the event; US rider Chris Talley withdrew Unmarked Bills before the show jumping, while Britain’s James Sommerville had his horse, Talent, spun at the final horse inspection. There were a total of 20 cross-country eliminations, 11 retirements, and three withdrawals after the dressage phase.

For a full report and images, see the October 2019 issue of NZ Horse & Pony, on sale September 26.

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