King William makes it a record win at Burghley
2011 Winner, William Fox-Pitt “I can’t believe it. He was superb, I might have looked cool but deep down this mattered a lot, it’s a huge and a real honour”.
This year celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Burghley Horse Trials, sponsored by Land Rover and located in the picturesque park grounds of Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire.
The four days of one of the world’s most prestigious FEI eventing competitions started on Thursday 1st September and ended in the rainy main arena for the show jumping element on Sunday 4th Sept. The final round in the afternoon included the top 24 riders.
Princess A
nne, Princess Royal awarded first prize and title to Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt, now record sixth time winner here at Burghley, claimed victory riding the talented bay gelding, Parklane Hawk. William, who first won here in 1994 lead after the cross country section after the dressage leader Simone Deitermann (GER) was eliminated after a fall in the cross country. Second place went to New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson (with his broken hand from the previous event trial) riding a clear round on Nereo and third went to Britain’s most popular icon of the sport Mary King riding her homebred mare King’s Temptress. Caroline Powell (NZL) riding Lenamore lost her chance of a dream win having knocked two poles down and finishing fourth. Britain’s Zara Phillips riding High Kingdom, finished 10th; a positive start after her recently retired Toytown. Sussex based riders Emily Llewellyn on Pardon Me II finished 25th and Francis Wittington riding Sir Perceval II finished 13th.
The climax of the event, the cross-country section, was held on Saturday and saw riders tackle the impressive and terrifyingly challenging course. Captain Mark Phillips designed the course, which claimed a few, including nasty falls by Oliver Townend (GBR) on Neo Du Breuil at fence 19, Kate Jupp (GBR) riding Bunratty Rose at Capability ditch and Michael Pollard (USA) riding Icarus at the newly placed water complex.
I’m happy to report, that all horses and riders were ok if not bruised, battered and bewildered. Eventing as a sport is dangerous and not one to be taken lightly in any element, especially this one, nerves of titanium is a one major requirement.
I witnessed all three of the above falls and my heart raced at each one, feeling like the grim reaper of photographers, after the water accident I almost called it a day and went home. One of the horses was cut badly by the plastic flag that, as the jump judge advised me, has replaced the wooden pointed ones of yesteryear, only proving with this that they should really reconsider the material used? Perhaps having the flags attached with Velcro onto the posts, as opposed to screwing them on may help. Hopefully the authorities of the sport, which do a wonderful job of making it as safe as possible and who constantly review the standards may consider this change. Lets hope so.
All in all it was a wonderful event and the thousands that visited were treated to an outstanding four days. The dates for next year’s event have already been announced as 30th Aug – 2nd September. Visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk for further information.
I am covering Blenheim Palace Horse Trials for the first time this year, as their official photographer and as so covering all days from start to finish. It’s an honour to have been chosen for such a position and here’s hoping that myself and the other accredited professional photographers get their images out to the major press to maximise the publicity that the Fidelity Blenheim Palace Horse Trial deserves.
For more details of the Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials 2011, which starts on September 8th-11th, visit http://www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/
Images and report by Julie Badrick
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