www.eventingetc.com

Pippa Funnell reigns alone as the only eventer to win the Rolex Challenge for finishing first consecutively at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI****, and The Land Rover Burghley CCI**** in any order.

After a brilliant try, Andrew Hoy, having won both Rolex Kentucky and Mitsubishi Motors Badminton earlier this season, and leading with a fence in hand with Moon Fleet, pulled three rails to drop to second place and fail in his try for the Rolex Challenge.

It was a stunning defeat as expectations for a win by Andrew had been so high.

Yet praises must go to Lucinda Fredericks and her little (15.3 hand) chestnut mare Headley Britannia, whom both Lucinda and her husband, Clayton, the Individual Silver Medalist at the World Equestrian Games two weeks ago, in Aachen, had worried might not be able to handle a CCI****, because of her size. (Lucinda and Headley Britannia are pictured at the right above after the their Dressage ride on Thursday.) "Brit" is the first mare to win Burghley in thirty-three years. In 1973, Captain Mark Phillips won with the mare Maid Marion.

Apparently it is the size of a horse's heart and not their physical height that really matters in the end.

Lucinda said," I came here expecting or hoping for a good run- not really to win. I certainly did not expect to beat Andrew Hoy. I really thought he had it in the bag.

"My little horse came out absolutely bursting! I had to work her this morning - not jump her - just some flat work and a little bit of dressage.

"I had a foot perfect round. Clayton was great. He said, "Now just breathe - you're at a normal competition. You are the best."

" There's nothing you can do when your horse doesn't try for you. If they don't try for you, you're in dire straights. I could be very rude a say, "In deep shit!"; but, I just said "dire straights."

"She's renowned for being a good jumper. She's won the Hickstead (Eventing) Derby and she was third there this year.

""I can only be grateful that it was my week this week!

Shane Rose finished in third place with All Luck. This pair fell at the first water at Aachen two weeks ago. Please click here to see a photo of their fall in the Saturday report of the World Equestrian Games, at the bottom of the page.

Final Results:

1. Lucinda Fredericks (AUS), HEADLEY BRITANNIA - 37.3 (DCSJ) (Lucinda and Headley Britannia are pictured at the left below in the Show Jumping Phase.)
2. Andrew Hoy (AUS), MOON FLEET - Andrew Hoy - 43.7 (12 faults SJ)
3. Shane Rose (AUS), ALL LUCK - 43.9 (DCSJ)
4. Cressida Clague-Reading,CAROUSEL QUEST - 52.9 (4 faults SJ)
5. Andrew Hoy (AUS), MR PRACATAN - 53.3 (12 faults SJ)
6. William Fox-Pitt, BALLINCOOLA - 53.4 (8 faults SJ)
7. Jeanette Brakewell, OVER TO YOU - 55.2. (8 faults SJ)
8. Sam Griffiths (AUS), CONNIGAR BAY - 55.2 (8 faults SJ)
9. Matt Ryan (AUS), BONZA PUZZLE - 56.2 (DCSJ)
10. Mary King, CASHEL BAY - 57.9 (4 faults SJ)

Other Scores of Interest:

11. Bonnie Mosser (USA), JENGA - 59.3 (4 Faults SJ)
15. Rebecca Holder (USA), COURAGEOUS COMET - 61.6 (12 faults SJ)

Australians placed first, second and third and filled six of the top ten placings!

* * *

(The Following Report is Courtesy of The Land Rover Burghley Web Site.)

FIFTY RIDERS JUMP TO IT

Bonnie Mosser Highest Placed First Timer

After this morning’s horse inspection fifty horses remain in the competition at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. ( Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia are pictured at the right below at the Final Veterinary Examination.)

Per Chirac (80) the ride of Harald Fechner (GER) was withdrawn and Young Thomas (79) the ride of Neil Fox (GBR) was eliminated at the inspection.

Show jumping for the 25 lower placed riders commences at 11.00 and for the top 25 at 14.30 after the parade of all the competitors at 14.15.

New World Champions Zara Phillips and Toytown will be making an appearance in the main arena at 12noon. Lady Victoria Leatham, outgoing President of the Burghley Horse Trials Committee will be presenting Zara with a momento on behalf of Burghley in honour of her achievement in Aachen two weeks ago.

Just 15 coloured fences stand between Andrew Hoy and his third Burghley title and The Land Rover Perpetual Challenge trophy and of course his first and only the second ever Rolex Grand Slam. Andrew still has both horses, Moon Fleet and Mr Pracatan to help him achieve his aim with Lucinda Fredericks and the British bred mare, Headley Britannia standing between them.

It is 33 years since a mare won at Burghley, Maid Marion who was ridden by Captain Mark Phillips now the course designer. It has been a good year for mares at Burghley as unusually there are three mares in the top 12 and four in the top 20. Three of the top six horses, Headley Britannia, Mr Pracatan and Marsh Mayfly are British bred while Headley Britannia’s sire Jumbo is also the sire of Henry Tankerville the ride of Andrew Nicholson in 15th place.

American rider Bonnie Mosser is currently the highest placed ‘first timer’ and British rider Harry Meade the highest placed rider ‘under 25’ an award he won on his Burghley debut last year. However Rosie Thomas and Barry’s Best and Phoebe Buckley on The Busker are both within two penalties of Harry and Midnight Dazzler.