Cross-country day at Puhinui has had remarkably little effect on the scoreboard, with a bit of a reshuffle at the top end of the Auckland Council CCI4* class, while the other classes have had almost no change in the top six places.

Clarke Johnstone and his relatively-new ride, Aces High, are now poised for victory in the Advanced, with a fluid, forward yet unhurried round coming home clear and under the time.

Clarke has had the 10-year-old Australian-bred thoroughbred since April; he is by Another Warrior and was produced with success to four-star level by Australian Madeline Wilson.

Clarke was also clear and under time on Dutch-bred Deo Volente, and has thus risen from 10th to fifth.

Of the 12 combinations to tackle Ewan Kellett’s four-star track, 11 completed, and only two had jumping penalties – both for stops at the bounce into the water, which was by far the most challenging question. 

Clarke admits the bounce made him a bit nervous, but he was thrilled that both his horses jumped it so well, and he doesn’t think the track was soft overall: “There was a bit to jump!,” he says.

Four pairs were clear and under time, and among them was probably the gutsiest round of the day, Beth Wilson and Alto et Audax, who have leapt from 12th place to sixth place as a result.

Monica Oakley and nine-year-old Acrobat (Euro Sport Centavos) are now sitting second, on their dressage score, and dressage leaders Renee Faulkner and Rubinstar HH have dropped to third, having incurred four time faults.

Donna Edwards-Smith earned the admiration of many for the sheer physical and mental fitness involved in riding four horses around the four-star track, and she got three of them home clear; DSE Tangolooma is now fourth (adding 6.8pen for time), DSE Mendoza seventh, and DSE Rodriguez ninth. 

Christen Lane was thrilled with her clear round on her homebred Thunder Cat (Littorio/Alley Cat), who has only recently returned to full fitness after recovering from colic surgery; additionally it’s been some time since Christen herself, a former Puhinui winner, has competed at the highest level.

The pair slipped from second after dressage to eighth, having incurred time faults – they went on the wrong side of the ropes early on the track and had to double back. Christen says: “I couldn’t be prouder of my Thunder Cat…  clear jumping around the cross-country. Unfortunately we weren’t speedy today and have moved down the field, but something to work towards for next year!”

Gilmours CCI3*

The top three in the Gilmours CCI3* is unchanged after cross-country day, with first-placed Monica Oakley and Artist adding nothing to their dressage score. They have, however, increased their lead slightly, and now have a rail in hand over Renee Faulker and Mi Focus, who added 1.6 time faults but retained second place, with Bundy Philpott still third on Shillings, on their dressage score.

Muzi Pottinger on Good Timing and Elise Power on Arctic Cielo have moved up one place respectively from fifth and sixth to fourth and fifth, both pairs home clear and under time.

Heelan Tompkins makes up the top six on Oranoa Greyson, also on her dressage score.

Of the 26 Intermediate combinations, eight were clear and under time, and a further 11 were clear with time faults. There were three eliminations, one withdrawal, and three with 20 penalties. 

Veterinary Associates CCI2*

Places one to four in the Veterinary Associates CCI2* remain the same as they were after dressage, with Jock Paget leading on Bing Bong, Ella Morshuis second on World Famous, Abigail Long third on Cruising Guy, and Samantha Mynott fourth on CHS Royal Genie.

Greer Caddigan has improved from sixth to fifth on Ricker Ridge Pico Boo, and Matthew Grayling makes up the top six, with Henton Ambassador.  

The vast majority of the Novice combinations were clear and under the time – 23 out of 30 – with just one elimination for a rider fall, one retirement, and one rider receiving 20 penalties. 

Thompson Electrical CCN1*

Clarke has increased his lead in the Thompson Electrical CCN1* on Watermill Hadley, and now has a rail in hand over second-placed Charlotte Treneary and her pony Kabo Pongo. Charlotte is also fifth on her second ride, Mirrabella Piper.

The majority of riders in this class were clear and under time, but Renee Ryall, who was second after dressage, picked up 20 penalties to drop out of contention.

Leisa Keighley and Black Attire have moved up a place to third, while Francesca Masfen and Kinnordy Gallilee have moved from sixth to fourth. Alyssa Harrison and Da Vinci Code make up the top six.

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And fittingly, there are some new faces at the top of the scoreboard after a sweltering day’s dressage.

Renee Faulkner is part of eventing’s ‘future potential’ squad, and over the last few years has put in some solid performances with Rubinstar HH, including fourth in the Advanced here at Puhinui two years ago.

But it was certainly one out of the blue to see the 22-year-old vet nurse from Papakura and her 14-year-old warmblood gelding top the leaderboard in the Auckland Council CCI4*, with an average score of 68.19% for 31.8 penalties.

The Ground Jury were not in agreement over the top placings, however, with president Andrew Bennie scoring Christen Lane’s test on Thunder Cat the highest (71.25%), while Tim Downes (GBR) preferred Monica Oakley and Acrobat (70%), and Janet Surr (GBR) had Clarke Johnstone and Aces High as her top score (68.54%). But Renee was second with two of the judges and third with the other, which was enough to give her the best average.

Christen is sitting second, just 0.8pen in arrears, Clarke is just 0.1 behind her in third, and Monica fourth, less than a penalty behind him – so the scores at the top end of the class are extremely close indeed, and only 15.8 penalties cover the entire field of 12 combinations.

Donna Edwards-Smith has two of her four rides in fifth and sixth places – DSE Tangolooma and DSE Cluny – while DSE Rodriguez is eighth and DSE Mendoza ninth.

In the Gilmours CCI3*, Monica Oakley’s super-moving thoroughbred Artist (Guillotine) found favour with all three judges, scoring an average of 74.95% to comfortably take the top spot on 25.1 penalties.

Continuing her great day on the flat, Renee Faulkner is second, riding her friend Aleisha Collett’s well-performing mare Mi Focus, on 28.3, Bundy Philpott is third with Shillings, on 31.4, and Ashleigh McKinstry a close fourth on Pioneer Brass Monkey, who won this class in 2016. Fifth and sixth spots in the class of 26 have gone to Muzi Pottinger on Good Timing, and Elise Power on Arctic Cielo.

Jock Paget hasn’t often been beaten on the flat with his fancy Holstein import, Bing Bong, so it’s no surprise that the pair are first in the Veterinary Associates CCI2*, with a score of 72.88% leaving them on 27.1 penalties.

But very close behind, and right on the back of winning both the National Junior one-day and three-day eventing titles, is 15-year-old Dunedin schoolgirl Elle Morshuis and World Famous, on 28.4pen.

Abigail Long and Cruising Guy are a very close third, followed by Samantha Mynott and CHS Royal Genie, Miya Fleming with Eon, and Greer Caddigan with Ricker Ridge Pico Boo.

In the Thompson Electrical CCI1*, Clarke Johnstone and Watermill Hadley have a firm grip on proceedings, scoring first with both judges to sit on 73.88% for 26.1pen.

Clarke and the Dutch-bred imported gelding won the Tait Trophy at Kihikihi in April, for the national one-day title at 105cm level, and have also had success jumping in the 7YO series classes.

Clevedon teenager Rene Ryall is second on her thoroughbred, Regal Riems, with Charlotte Treneary very close behind her in third on her lovely grey pony, Kabo Pongo. Leisa Keightley and Black Attire have been having a blinder of a season so far, and they are poised for another good placing in fourth, while Sam Doak is fifth on Mr Fahrenheit and Francesca Masfen sixth on Kinnordy Gallilee.

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Here’s a gallery from our amazing photographer Libby Law, showcasing some of the best and brightest outfits from the first horse inspection.

All horses were accepted, so the focus now is on tomorrow’s dressage!

The post Oh you pretty things… at Puhinui appeared first on NZ Horse & Pony.

New Zealand riders sit fifth, seventh and 11th after the dressage phase of the CCI5* at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian Three-day Event.

Diane Gilder and Your Attorney did a polished test to score 66.6% for 33.4 penalties and fifth, just 3.1pen behind the leader, Emma Bishop and CP Issey Miyake.

Muzi Pottinger and Just Kidding are not far behind, having scored 34.1 penalties, while Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH are 11th on 35.7.

Australia-based New Zealand rider Hayley Frelick is at the tail of the 19-strong class, having scored 43.6pen on Class Action LP.

Last year’s winners, Hazel Shannon and Willingapark Clifford, are in a very close second, just 0.4 penalties adrift of the leaders.

In the RM Williams CCI4* class, New Zealand’s Madison Crowe has the lead with a beautiful performance on her much-admired mare, Waitangi Pinterest, scoring 71.53% for 28.5 penalties. But Olympian Shane Rose is very close on her tail, just 0.2pen behind.

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All eyes are on Adelaide from this afternoon, when three of New Zealand’s best event riders will have a crack at the big league, the five-star class at the Mitsubishi Motors Adelaide Three-day Event.

Leading the charge is Muzi Pottinger and Just Kidding, who will be hoping to go one better than last year’s second place. She and ‘Ferg’ have had a great year, winning the CCI4* at HOY and coming a very close second in the National Champs at Taupo.

“The aim this year is to improve in all three phases and if we do that and end up with a ribbon, that’s a bonus,” says Muzi. “With Ferg now having another year of experience under his belt pushing for those more competitive scores, he should go back a more mature and seasoned horse . . . here’s hoping anyway.”

Bundy Philpott and Tresca NZPH are also looking for an improvement on last year, where they were on track for one of the best cross-country rounds until tripping up and falling right near the end of the course. 

“I am really grateful to have the opportunity to take him back and have another go at a 5* on such a generous horse,” says Bundy, who wants to “right a few rider mistakes from last year”.

And for Diane Gilder and Your Attorney, it’s their first shot at the top level, though the pair contested the three-star back in 2011. The pair are in sizzling form this season, with wins from Arran Station, Flaxmere and Te Rapa, as well as winning the CCI4* at Puhinui back in March. 

Australia-based Kiwi Hayley Frielick and Class Action LP round out the New Zealand contingent in the 21-strong CCI5*-L field, which includes Olympians Stuart Tinney and Megan Jones, and former winners Hazel Shannon with Willingapark Clifford. There is also the New Zealand horse LV Balou Jeanz, who was bred and produced by Jessica Woods, in the line-up, ridden by Sarah Clark. 

New Zealand National Advanced Champ Madison Crowe is the only Kiwi in the 13-strong CCI4* class with Waitangi Pinterest, while Amalia Rowley and Mexico II is in the CCI3* class.

Bundy is the third rider out to do dressage this afternoon, at 12.45 (3.15pm NZ time). Muzi is lucky 13th to go, at 2.10pm (4.40pm NZ time), followed immediately by Diane.

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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.

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 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 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.”

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.

“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.

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

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.

“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.

The post A very British Burghley appeared first on NZ Horse & Pony.

The Burghley crown looks almost certain to return to British hands, after a rugged day’s cross-country saw the home side with seven of the top 10, including the first three spots.

New Zealand riders had a tough time over Captain Mark Phillips’ daunting track, with Tim Price completing on just one of his three rides, Bango, to be best of the Kiwis in seventh place going into the final phase.

Caroline Powell and On the Brash were the only other New Zealand pair to jump clear, and rose from 43rd after dressage to 19th as a result, despite 30 time faults. 

Dan Jocelyn received 11 penalties for a broken pin – one of a number of riders to trigger the safety devices – but rode a sympathetic round on the relatively-inexperienced Blackthorn Cruise, and is now in 26th place.

Samantha Lissington, who was one of 24 first-timers at Burghley this year, was seriously impressive with Ricker Ridge Rui. The scopey Rui showed his bravery and agility in the early part of the course, making it look – if not exactly easy –  very rideable.

But like many other combinations, they came unstuck at the influential and fiendishly difficult Joules on the Maltings combination, which had two massive airy white oxers to a huge corner. A split second of hesitation or perhaps indecision on the approach to the first oxer and the horse stopped – but Sam was able to regroup, complete the alternate route and go on to finish in grand style.

She received 38 time faults, but simply to get around is a huge achievement. “It feels crazy to be standing here having completed the Burghley cross-country track,” Sam says. “I can’t believe we made it through the finish flags after so many years of hard work. I had one green moment and unfortunately we paid the price but, fingers crossed, we’ll be back next year and we’ll do better.”

Sam is now in 33rd place, with only 33 combinations completing. There were 20 eliminations, and 11 retirements. 

The Price family will be bitterly disappointed with their day. Jonelle retired Faerie Dianimo at the Trout Hatchery, when a sticky jump over the rails into the water broke the frangible pin. Earlier, Tim made a similar call with Xavier Faer, who faulted at the same complex.

But most gutting was his elimination with defending champion, Ringwood Sky Boy. They’d fair cruised around the vast majority of the course, and were looking on track to be close to the time and a top four spot. But literally within sight of the finish, cantering through the water under the bridge, the horse stumbled and tripped on to his knees, tipping his rider off.

The three British riders at the business end of the leaderboard – all veterans of the sport and members of the team who won the silver medal at the European Champs a week prior – have a huge margin on the rest of the field. 

Pippa Funnell rode a gutsy, determined round on MGH Grafton, and with four time faults for being 10 seconds over the optimum time she retained her lead by the narrowest of margins, 0.1 of a penalty, on 26.8.

The only clear round inside the time elevated Piggy French and Vanir Kamira from equal sixth to second place on 26.9, while Oliver Townend completes the top three with Ballaghmor Class; they stopped the clock five seconds over the time to finish on 27.6. 

There is a big gap back to the fourth placed rider, Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal, who had six time faults with Stinger to finish on 38.8.

British riders Sarah Bullimore (Reve du Rouet) and Gemma Tattersall (Santiago Bay) fill fifth and sixth places, and Tim is seventh with Bango, having incurred 12 time faults to sit on a score of 41.6.

Britain’s Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden’s fantastic cross-country round saw them make a meteoric leap up the leaderboard from 60th after dressage to eighth, thanks to posting one of the fastest rounds of the day with just four time penalties.

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Jonelle is best of the New Zealand contingent, in seventh equal place scoring 28.4 on Faerie Dianimo in a test that started out with plenty of flash – and earned a 10 for her entry and halt from one judge – and showed off the mare’s trademark outstanding trot work. But unfortunately, a little tension crept in to the canter.  

“It’s not quite the start I’d hoped for,” says Jonelle. “I thought, at the grand old age of 14, that she’d grown a bit more sedentary – but she surprised me by being a little hot, and then we had a bit of tension.

“She dances to the beat of her own drum, for sure – she’s certainly a hot little thing, and hopefully that serves us well tomorrow!”

Still, with a spread of less than six marks covering the top 10, it gives Jonelle more than a fighting chance for her third five-star win. “And we’re in front of the hubby, so that’s always a good start!”

Tim’s test on last year’s winner, Ringwood Sky Boy, was fluent, elegant and without any real mistakes, but he was let down by some inconsistent judging, for a score of 28.7 and equal ninth place. “That’s the best he’s been at this level, but I was disappointed with the score,” says Tim. “He’s not flashy, but he’s a serious workman. I’d hoped and thought that this guy would be higher up the leaderboard; he stayed right with me, but he doesn’t have that ‘wow’ that some of the others do.”

Tim has both his other rides in the top 20 as well; Bango is less than a penalty behind Ringwood Sky Boy, in 11th equal place (29.6), while Xavier Faer is 20th, on 31.5.

Dan Jocelyn is the nest best-placed New Zealand rider, 25th on the impressive Blackthorn Cruise, despite a course error. Caroline Powell is 43rd equal on On the Brash.

And Burghley debutante Samantha Lissington is all smiles after her performance on Ricker Ridge Rui, a tidy and well-managed test that scored 39.1 for 54th equal place of the 67 combinations. Sam earned plenty of praise from the commentary box for her sympathetic and intelligent riding. “We are happy with today’s performance – the main aim was no extra flying changes – so all in all it’s been a success! “ says Sam. “It’s an amazing privilege to be here. There is plenty to work on to come back for next year but for now the fun stuff begins!”

Pippa Funnell leads the pack with a superb score of 22.8 on MGH Grafton Street, who is at his first five-star. Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class are second on 25.3, with his girlfriend Izzy Taylor and the 10-year-old Springpower, marginally behind in third, on 25.6.

“I’m really, really delighted,” says Pippa. “He felt wonderful in his brain both inside and outside the arena. I gave myself a good talking to last night after making a couple of silly mistakes on Billy Walk On and made myself get my act together. I just need to get stuck in and be brave tomorrow.”

Oliver has been struggling with a back injury, and was barely able to walk or ride all week, but still managed a trademark flawless test on Ballaghmor Class, who was second here last year and won on debut the year before.

“Although he’s been first and second here, he’s still only 12 and getting established at this level,” he says. “He was very relaxed – I even had to kick him on a bit in the walk but it’s a real privilege to have a horse of his calibre here.”

Izzy’s Springpower showed immense potential: “He’s a very exciting horse,” she admits. “He’s beautiful to look at, which helps in this phase, and has massive movement, he’s just not entirely able to control it yet. There’s a lot more to come from him.”

The 11-strong American contingent put on a strong showing in the dressage phase, with Lauren Kieffer the best in fourth place with her little Anglo-Arabian Vermiculus on 26.7, despite being one of a handful of riders whose tests coincided with a short, sharp rainstorm.

“I’m thrilled with how he went because he hates the rain,” she says. “He didn’t do anything super-flashy but he was very consistent and didn’t make any mistakes.”

Fellow American Hannah-Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot is tied for fifth with current Badminton champion, Piggy French and Vanir Kamira, on 26.9.

A third US combination, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Deniro Z, is tied for seventh with Jonelle, while Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy share ninth with Britain’s Eliza Stoddart and Priorspark Opposition Free.

Cross-country is likely to prove very influential with many riders describing the Captain Mark Phillips’ course as extremely big, intense but fair. With less than 10 penalties separating the top 20 combinations there’s all to play for. The cross-country starts at 10pm tonight (NZ time) and is available on Sky Sport. 

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Tim Price has his Burghley campaign off to a great start, sitting in second and eighth places after the first day of dressage.

The world number one was the first out into the arena with Bango, and set a high standard with a fluent, consistent test, scoring 29.6 which is a personal best for the chestnut Irish Sport Horse.

“He’s not always the most easy in this phase,” says Tim. “He’s a redhead, and you have to take everything that comes along with that, generally speaking. We’d call him brittle – he’s good at home, and then he comes out for a test like he’s on eggshells, so my priority was for the test to be smooth and flowing, which it was.”

A first-timer at Burghley, former British Junior National Champion and Young Riders squad member Eliza Stoddart is at top of the leaderboard, scoring 28.7 with Priorspark Opposition Free. “I was hoping to be in the top 15 after dressage – to be in the lead after day one is mind boggling, but totally cool,” says Eliza (26). “This is my local event and I remember sitting on the edge of the Leaf Pit with my mates as a child joking about how we’d ride at Burghley one day. To be sat here in this position is totally mental!”

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet matched Tim and Bango’s score of 29.6 to sit equal second, and another pair of Burghley debutants, France’s Sebastien Cavaillon and the eye catching chestnut mare Sarah D’Argouges, finished the day in fourth place on 29.8.

British riders hold fifth to seventh places, with Pippa Funnell rueing a late error – halting in the wrong place – which marred an otherwise impressive performance with Billy Walk On. They sit fifth on 29.9, Georgie Spence is sixth on Wii Limbo, and Will Furlong seventh on Collien P2.

Tim holds eighth place with Xavier Faer, with a score of 31.5 and still has defending champion Ringwood Sky Boy to ride, who is the last to go down the centre line tomorrow afternoon.

Tim is the only rider with three mounts this year, and says it’s not because he’s a glutton for punishment. “I had no logical reason not to,” he explains. “I have three horses that are very much this type of horse; they’re brave, bold-jumping geldings, and when you’re preparing for something like this, things can go wrong in the lead-up – just look at Jonelle, who was meant to bring Classic Moet and now she can’t, for a silly little reason.

“These guys just kept pitching up for work, and here we are with three healthy horses suited to the course. If I have to work a bit harder, that’s my problem, not theirs.

“I feel like I’ve got a good chance on a few of these horses actually, so I just have to prove it. It’s a fun feeling being world number one, as I’ve never been an out-and-out winner.

“I’m not one that goes and hunts down every single prize there is on the circuit, so it feels like it’s a real show of consistency and that’s something I’ve done with a lot of different horses.

“It’s something I’m very proud of and it does bring an element of confidence. It’s a reflection that things are going well, so hopefully I turn up on Sunday with a healthy horse that’s good to jump.”

The only other New Zealand rider on the first day of dressage, Caroline Powell, scored 37.1 for interim 19th equal place with On the Brash. Caroline was more than happy with the test: “We’re really pleased with the work On The Brash produced. Lots of improvements all round, just some costly changes.

“It’s all to play for out there!”

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Horses can be heart-breakers. And New Zealand rider Ginny Thompson has experienced another of the gutting lows that go along with the highs in top-level eventing, having to withdraw her mare Star Nouveau (‘Paige’) from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, shortly before the first trot-up.

“Unfortunately, this is part of life with horses, but we are very much looking forward to making new plans for the rest of the autumn season,” Ginny says.

Sadly, this means Ginny won’t have the thrill of competing alongside her best friend Sam Lissington for the first time in the UK; Sam and Ricker Ridge Rui were cleared by the Ground Jury to compete, and will do their dressage at 9.54am on Friday morning (UK time), which is 8.54pm Friday night for New Zealand fans.

There were several other late withdrawals ahead of the opening horse inspection. Leading contender Oliver Townend has scratched Ulises, but remains on the start list with Ballaghmor class. Izzy Taylor has withdrawn her Tattersalls CCI4* winner, PSH Gazelle, and Tom Crisp’s mount Cooleys Luxury is also out.

The remaining 67 contenders presented before the Ground Jury of Nick Burton, Christina Klingspor and Xavier Le Sauce passed without drama, with not a single horse being asked to re-present or be sent to the holding box..  

Defending champion Tim Price is the only rider with three mounts in the mix. 

Tim and Bango will be the first pair in the dressage arena at 8.30pm tonight (NZ time). The next New Zealand rider out is Caroline Powell at 1.48am, and Tim closes the first day of dressage with Xavier Faer at 3.21am.

New Zealand dressage times on Friday (NZ times) are Sam at 8.54pm, Dan at 1am, Jonelle at 1.32am and Tim with Ringwood Sky Boy at 3.21am.

The dressage is being live-streamed here https://burghley-horse.co.uk/live-video

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