Sunday, September 04, 2011  •  16:59 BST

RECORD DREAM WIN FOR FOX-PITT

A dream clear round over the coloured poles with Parklane Hawk gave William Fox-Pitt his sixth Burghley victory – and put him in the history books as the first rider to attain this achievement. “I can’t believe it,” said William who first won here in 1994. “He was superb. I might have looked cool but deep down this mattered a lot – it is huge and a real honour”.

As befitted the 50th anniversary event the finale couldn’t have been more dramatic. Incessant and heavy rain completely changed the ground conditions and within the few hours between the morning and afternoons show jumping the going went from good to sticky. William said; “The conditions were against him and going into the arena I was feeling quite sick – Neuf Des Coeurs had three down and I had to go in there saying ‘believe in him’ but realistically thinking what were the chances of a clear round. I am so lucky to have him.” It was an impressive four-star debut for the New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred owned by Catherine Witt and procured just 18 months ago. “He is still green but is one of my big hopes for next year.”

A clear round from Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo had put the pressure on the top placed four riders. Mary King and her homebred mare, Kings Temptress, owned by Derek Baden had one down while Andrew on second placed Avebury took out three poles to drop down the order to a final eighth place while the dream win for Caroline Powell (NZL) and Lenamore disappeared when the 15.3hh, 18-year-old had two poles down, but only dropped them one place to a final fourth.

Andrew and Deborah Sellars Spanish bred Nereo – by the Thoroughbred Fines out of a half bred mare by the Hanoverian Golfi – had to settle for the runner up slot. “Both my horses have done well and Nereo did a good job but William’s horse jumped immaculately,” said Andrew who thinks that this year’s Burghley was ‘one of the best’. “It’s been a great Burghley – I think cross-country day was a good day for the sport and there is always such a great crowd here – just look at them – despite the rain they stay to the bitter end.”

Mary had done enough to take third place with Kings Temptress, by Primitive Rising, who won the award for the highest placed British-bred mare and Mary the prize as her breeder. “I am very proud of her,” said Mary who also finished 21st with Apache Sauce. “I had two experienced horses here and am chuffed to bits with them.”

It was also a dream result for New Zealand Burghley debutant Jonathan Paget (27) and Clifton Lush. Another clear round elevated them to a final fifth place – the pair was 35th after dressage – and they finished on their dressage score. The young New Zealander also finished in 12th place with Clifton Promise.

Leicestershire based Clea Phillips had another good Burghley result with Lead The Way who once again finished in sixth place and the pair was the third best British combination in a truly international competition. Lauren Shannon (24) also from Leicestershire proved that last year’s 12th place with Zero Flight – for which she won best first timer – was no fluke. One of the afternoon’s five clear show jumping rounds propelled them 11 places up the leader board after cross-country to a final ninth place and the prize for the best Under-25.

American Boyd Martin concluded his emotional Burghley journey with Neville Bardos with a final seventh place for the miracle horse that was pulled from a fatal fire just three months ago. British rider Tom McEwen might have been disappointed to take out three poles wwith Dry Old Party but his final 19th place meant the 20-year-old won the prize for the highest placed British first-timer as well as the HSBC training bursary for what was an impressive Burghley and four-star debut by the youngest rider on the start list.

The Top Six Finishers at the Burghley CCI****:

1. William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Parklane Hawk - 40.7 (1 time fault SJ)
2. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Nereo - 45.1 (DCSJ)
3. Mary King (GBR), King's Temptress - 47.4 (4 faults SJ)
4. Caroline Powell (NZL), Lenamore - 50.8 (8 faults SJ)
5. Jonathan Paget (NZL), Clifton Lush - 52.7 (FODS)
6. Clea Phillips (GBR) Lead the Way - 53.6 (DCSJ)

Results for American Competitors:

7. Boyd Martin (USA), Neville Bardos - 53.7 (4 faults SJ)
15. Sinead Halpin (USA), Manoir de Carneville - 58.8 (8 faults SJ)
37. Colleen Rutledge (USA), Shiraz - 76.9 (4 faults SJ)
Eliminated on Cross Country: Michael Pollard (USA), Icarus
Withdrawn Before Dressage - William Coleman (USA), Twizzel

(54 finishers from 81 entries)

William Fox-Pitt Wins Record Sixth Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials; American Boyd Martin Defies the Odds With Neville Bardos By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - There are incredible stories and then there is the story of the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Not only did William Fox-Pitt ride Parklane Hawk to a record sixth win of his career, but a little American horse named Neville Bardos defied every possible odd to finish seventh in the world's toughest four-star. Fox-Pitt and the New Zealand Thoroughbred added one time fault in the show jumping to his dressage score in an otherwise flawless effort over the four days of competition. His dressage score of 39.7 was good enough for second place after the first phase but when overnight leader Simone Dietermann fell off Free Easy NRW on the cross country, Fox-Pitt inherited a lead he then defended with style. Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Photo: www.stockimageservices.com. But the story of the competition continued to be a scrappy little failed racehorse from Australia. Neville Bardos fulfilled Boyd Martin's dream of competing at Burghley and with his tenacity and bravery put a nightmare of a summer behind his family. A barn fire ripped through Martin's barn in May, and Neville Bardos was trapped in the fire the longest of those horses that survived. They lost six horses in the blaze and Neville Bardos was pulled out of the flames by Martin and Phillip Dutton. He then recovered miraculously after inhaling a massive amounts smoke and burning his throat and lungs.  This nightmare was followed closely by the loss of both Martin's father in a biking accident in Australia and then his wife Silva's father to illness in the following weeks - Martin hit rock bottom. Neville Bardos didn't know what to do except improve. He defied everyone's expectations and Martin circled the date of Burghley on the calendar, thinking maybe - just maybe - Neville could make a miraculous comeback. It was a longshot goal at first, but they never stopped trying. Neville restored the faith of an entire family with the strength of the entire eventing community behind him. Martin and Neville Bardos, who is owned by the Neville Bardos Syndicate, received a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant and flew to England to take on the best in the world. He scored 49.7 in the dressage, flew around the cross-country course clear - and under the time - and then moved up to seventh on the strength of a show-jumping round in which he added one rail in very difficult conditions. "This was a fantastic finish to a tough and grueling Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials," Martin said. "The heavens opened and the ground got thick and muddy." But, he said, "My old mate Neville Bardos bounced out of his stall this morning and looked like a million dollars. He trooped around, jumped a good round. I had a rail in the treble which was completely my fault, I got him there a bit long and open but I'm really satisfied with a top 10 finish." Martin called it a test of horsemanship to prepare Neville Bardos "for one of the toughest four stars in only eight weeks. I'm really pleased for the Neville Bardos Syndicate, the owners that trooped over the pond. I was proud to jump their horse around after such a challenging year." At this week's Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the rain held off until Sunday - but once it came, the conditions deteriorated. With 10 points separating the top 11 horses going into the show jumping there was a shuffle at the top of the scoreboard. Fox-Pitt held onto his lead over Kiwi legend Andrew Nicholson who jumped an immaculate clear on Nereo to move up from fifth to second on a score of 45.1. Nicholson had been in second on his other horse, Avebury, who dropped three rails to slip to eighth. Mary King moved up from fourth to third after having one rail down on King's Temptress to finish on 47.4. Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo: www.stockimageservices.com. Sinead Halpin (USA) rode stylishly all week to finish 15th at her first Burghley with Manoir de Carneville. She was the best of the U.S. after the dressage, and rode a smart round on the cross country to finish 12 seconds over the time but added two rails on Sunday in conditions that didn't suit her 11-year-old Selle Francais. Owned by Carriag, LLC, Manoir de Carneville wouldn't be at his best on wet sticky ground. He tried hard, and Halpin rode him aggressively in the beginning. They struggled to find their rhythm early on course but once they settled in their performance improved. They have now chalked up two top 15 finishes at their first two CCI4*s, and look impressive for the future. "Sinead wore the stars and stripes proudly and in great form," Martin said. "She put in a polished performance on her horse."   Colleen Rutledge's (USA) Shiraz caught the eyes of many throughout the week and they moved up from 73rd place after the first phase all the way to 37th based on their excellent jumping. The pair, who were 12th in their first CCI4* at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in April, galloped and jumped their way around Burghley in excellent form. They added 9.2 time faults on the cross country and then one rail in the show jumping to solidify their partnership at the sport's highest level. The pair has had an epic adventure in Europe on their first trip overseas from their Maryland base. Jules Stiller (USA), a Vermont expatriate who is based in Berkshire, may have had the show-jumping round of the day - soaring over Richard Jeffery's course with ease. Jules del Vecchio's Chapel Amble did, however, spend so much time in the air that they collected three time faults. It was Stiller's second CCI4* with the striking black mare, and she heads to Blenheim CCI3* next week with Enjoy Me with valuable miles on her odometer. Only two horses finished on their dressage score at the 50th Anniversary of the storied event - a competition where Thoroughbred horses thrived: Jock Paget from New Zealand on Clifton Lush (who moved up from 35th after the dressage to fifth) and Ireland's Mark Kyle on Step in Time who jumped their way from 78th after the first phase to finish 24th.  The next stop for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team is next week to the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in which 110 horses are entered in the CCI3*.  Five of those (including Stiller) are representing the U.S. Two riders received Land Rover Competition and Training Grants: Phillip Dutton will ride Bruce Duchossios' Mighty Nice and Clark Montgomery will ride Carole Montgomery, Holly Becker and Kathleen Kraft's Loughan Glen. Tiana Coudray will be looking for a return to form on Ringwood Magistar after a summer of mixed results in Europe, and Will Faudree rides Jennifer Mosing's experienced CCI4* horse Pawlow. U.S. Chef d'Equipe Capt. Mark Phillips said, "European experience is absolutely vital for our riders especially looking to next year and the Olympic Games. It is the second trip for both Boyd and Sinead to Europe and every time they come they learn a lot - and they keep getting better and better." Information about Land Rover's partnership with the USEF is available here: http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/experience-land-rover/sponsorships-events/equestrian-usef/   Please Continue down this page for the rest of the Burghley articles.

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2011 Videos : http://www.youtube.com/burghleyhorsetrials

Saturday, September 3rd - Cross Country Day

A CLOSE FINISH TO CROSS-COUNTRY DAY

It is close at the top. A mere 3.7 penalties, less than the value of one show jump down, divides the top four after the cross-country at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Just a clear round of show jumping now separates leader William Fox-Pitt (GBR) from a record sixth Burghley victory. William and the New Zealand-bred Thoroughbred Parklane Hawk, for who it was the first four-star course, put in a clear round inside the time and moved to the top of the leader board when dressage leader Simone Deitermann (GER) was eliminated after a fall from Free Easy NRW. “It was a big attacking track this year and we all knew we had our work cut out,” said William who is also in ninth place with Neuf Des Coeurs. “Parklane Hawk is a horse I rate highly but you never know and it is always a relief to come home clear. And he came home full of running and is one who is very exciting for the future.”

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) also put in an early clear round with his first ride Rosemary Barlow’s Avebury to move up three places to second but added 2.8 time penalties to his dressage score with Deborah Sellers Nereo. The penalties resulted in a drop of one place to fifth. “The course rode very big and the first half was intense albeit the second half gave you a chance to catch up a bit more but over some very big single fences. Avebury was very good and while Nereo would have been quicker at the halfway stage he began to tire in the second half.”

Last year’s winners Caroline Powell (NZL) and Lenamore gave yet another sparkling display of cross-country riding to complete on a clean sheet and move up to third. If the eighteen-year-old Lenmore can win again he will be the first horse to win the event two year’s in a row and most certainly the oldest. “He is an amazing horse,” said Caroline who is based in the Scottish borders. “As soon as he arrived here on Tuesday he knew exactly where he was and was even trying to tell me which way to go on the cross-country course. Yet again he gave me an amazing ride.”

Mary King (GBR) and Kings Temptress dropped one place from third to fourth and is not far behind with her first ride Apache Sauce who is in seventh.

From the 78 starters 10 combinations came home clear inside the time. The one to benefit most was New Zealander Craig Nicolai (NZL), whose fast clear with Just Ironic moved him up 45 places, from 77th to 32nd, while local rider Angus Smales (GBR), from Rutland, jumped 39 places up the leader board with Ballyvooney.

Fifty three of the 58 finishers jumped clear rounds a result that pleased course designer Captain Mark Phillips. “I was relieved to see 53 clear rounds but I think the reason that few finished with penalties is that if you had a stop early on then this course drained the confidence out of the rider. But in general riders respected the course and it rode well.”

Burghley Director Elizabeth Inman was happy with the outcome of the day. “I came in this morning worried by potential traffic problems (caused by the closure of the A1) but in fact as well as an increase of advanced sales of 30%, the figures on the gate also went up by 4% and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

The final horse inspection takes place on Sunday in the main arena at 09.00hrs and show jumping for the lower placed riders at 10.30hrs.

Results After Cross Country:

1.William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Parklane Hawk - 39.7 (DCXC)
2T. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Aveburhy - 42.8 (DCXC)
2T. Caroline Powell (NZL), Lenamore - 42.8
4. Mary King (GBR), King's Temptress - 43.4 (1.2 time XC)
5. Andrew Nicholson (NZL), Nereo - 45.1 (2.8 time XC)
6. Elizabeth Power (IRE), Kilpatrick River - 45.7 (2.,4 time XC)

American Results:

11. Boyd Martin (USA), Neville Bardos - 49.7 (DCXC)
12. Sinead Halpin (USA), Manoir de Carneville - 50.8 (4.8 time XC)
40. Colleen Rutledge (USA), Shiraz - 72.9 (9.2 time XC)
51. Julian Stiller (USA), Chapel Amble - 86.4 (14.4 time, 20 jumping XC)
Eliminated: Michael Pollard (USA), Icarus
William Coleman (USA) - Withdrawn before Dressage

RAPTUROUS RECEPTION FOR BOYD

It was an emotional return through the finishing flags for American Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos (no 46) who came home clear inside the time (to place eleventh after Cross Country) at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. It is just three months since Neville was pulled out of a burning barn that killed six other horses and it was unknown whether he would ever recover from the smoke inhalation. A few weeks later Boyd suffered a second tragedy when his father was killed.

“It has been a terrible time – it is great to do something good,” said a visibly moved Boyd, who bought the former racehorse for just 850 dollars as a three-year-old off the track in Australia.

Neville Bardos Leads U.S. Eventing Horses on Cross-Country Day in Emotional Effort at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY - The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team have two cross-country superstars in their midst as both Boyd Martin on Neville Bardos, and Sinead Halpin on Manoir de Carneville looked poised and confident as they galloped through Burghley Park. These pairs represented an inspiring future American Eventing over a course that was deemed a 'throwback' as the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.  Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos. Photo: www.stockimageservices.com. Clear rounds were difficult to come by over Capt. Mark Phillips boldly designed, old-fashioned feeling track. But Martin and Neville dominated their first Burghley - flying home to an emotional 11th place after the first two phases. They backed up their dressage score of 49.7 with a flawless performance in Neville's favorite phase. They were one of nine double-clear rounds of the day.  "Neville gave me a great round cross country," said Martin (Cochranville, PA). "He was strong and bold throughout the course which is wonderful at this sort of event... he loves charging at all the big fences. He pulled up with plenty of energy."  The fact 12-year-old Neville Bardos (owned by the Neville Bardos Syndicate) is alive is incredible, and the fact the Australian Thoroughbred just cruised around the biggest cross-country track in the world is not far short of a miracle.  Three months ago he was fighting for his life in a horrific fire at Martin's barn at True Prospect Farm. Neville was the last horse Martin was able to rescue from the flames. He lost six horses and Neville Bardos fought for his life at the New Bolton Center.  He prevailed, overcoming the smoke inhalation that had seared his lungs - the prognosis was tepid, morale was low and Martin took it one day at a time. Neville clearly had other ideas.  "It was a moving time riding him around out there," said Martin. "Initially I wasn't sure where he would end up after the fire. But he was still alive and he seemed alright so we picked this event to focus on. It was a distraction with the all the terrible things that have happened over the summer - with (wife) Silva's and my fathers both dying, and the fire." It took the sport's entire community to keep Martin and Neville Bardos on track and make this trip, and Neville's recovery possible. He was funded by a Land Rover Competition and Training Grant, a new initiative in 2011 to provide the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team the chance to test their skills overseas.  "The American horse lovers have supported me and Neville in so many ways," said Martin. "From the farriers shoeing him for free to the vets cutting me a break on some of the therapies he needed like the hyperbaric chamber. The Syndicate also went far beyond their duties and obligations to make sure I could make it here, and so did the sponsors - like Land Rover who provided the grant so we could jump on the plane and come over here and compete against the best in the world."    Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo: www.stockimageservices.com. Halpin (Pottersville, NJ) wasn't going to be showed too far up by Martin, and Carrig, LLC's, Manoir de Carneville looked very comfortable jumping around their first Burghley CCI4*. The pair are the current Rolex USEF National CCI4* Champions, a title they scored at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in April. Burghley marks only the second CCI4* for the pair in their meteoric rise to the top of the sport.  They added 4.8 time faults to their dressage score, finishing on 50.8 after the two phases, to slip into 12th place behind Martin.    Halpin received the 2011 Jacqueline Mars Training Grant and has spent most of August in the U.K. this summer working on her game.  Great Britain's eventing wizard, William Fox-Pitt, regained his lead by adding nothing to his dressage score on Parklane Hawk at the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.  After winning the dressage on Thursday on the lovely New Zealand Thoroughbred, Fox-Pitt had to settle for second behind Simone Deitermann and Free Easy NRW after the dressage, but the German leader parted ways with her horse today setting Fox-Pitt up for a chance at his sixth Burghley victory.  He heads into the show jumping on a score of 39.7. New Zealander Andrew Nicholson stormed around on Avebury to finish on his dressage score of 42.8, meaning Fox-Pitt doesn't have a rail in hand over Nicholson or 2010 winner Caroline Powell who returned to the top of the leaderboard with Lenamore and is tied with Nicholson. Lenamore, an evergreen 18-year-old, also added nothing to his dressage score.   Fox-Pitt is also ninth with Neuf Des Couers, Nicholson is fifth with Nereo and a third British veteran, Mary King, also has two horses in the top 10. King was first and second at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone. The winner of that event, King's Temptress, is fourth at Burghley going into the show jumping on a score of 43.4, within a rail of the lead. If King could pull off a win this weekend, she would add the second part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, meaning that if she won the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials she would take home the Grand Slam prize of $350,000.    It is extraordinarily close with 10 points separating the top 11 horses.  Colleen Rutledge made her fist Burghley trip worth the miles from Frederick, MD, with Shiraz. They jumped around confidently, just adding 9.2 faults in a superb effort. They go into the show jumping on a score of 72.9.  Jules Stiller, originally from Vermont but now based in Berkshire, looked poised for a great round on Chapel Amble only to run into some trouble at the Trout Hatchery.They had to do a circle to get out and picked up 20 penalties for the change of plans. They also added 14.4 time faults. Like Halpin and Rutledge, this was their second CCI4*.    It was a disappointing day for U.S. rider Michael Pollard as he and Icarus suffered a fall at the last water jump after setting off on a mission. Pollard broke his wrist and Icarus is being evaluated by the U.S. Eventing Team veterinarians. Initial reports indicate no serious injury.  Pollard was named to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team with Schoesgreen Hanni and will represent the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October.    Please continue down this page for the rest of the Burghley Articles.

 

Friday, September 2nd - Second Day of Dressage

DEITERMANN FINDS DRESSAGE EASY

Burghley ‘first-timer’ Simone Deitermann (GER) (30) with Free Easy NRW is the new leader at the end of dressage at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. The German rider from Saerbeck, near Osnabruck literally pipped British rider William Fox-Pitt to the post and has just 0.4pen in-hand.

“At the beginning of the test my horses was very nervous – in England and on grass he always gets a bit nervous – so he made a couple of errors but he did a good job and I am happy to be in the lead,” said Simone. Free Easy has a bit of a dressage pedigree being by leading Westphalian dressage sire Florestan albeit he is out of a Thoroughbred mare and was specifically bred for eventing. “It is my first time here and I had not realised it was all so beautiful. The course is also beautifully presented but it’s difficult – not too technical but there are a lot of big fences. However we need a good result as we need to qualify for the Olympics,” said Simone.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) is now second with Parklane Hawk albeit he and Simone were the only ones to gain scores in the 30’s. William also moved into the top ten with his second ride Neuf Des Coeurs.

Mary King (GBR) and her second ride Kings Temptress deposed Andrew Nicholson (NZL) from the top three – the New Zealander however remains in fourth with his second ride Nereo narrowly ahead of stable mate Avebury in fifth.

Mary was particularly pleased with the test from her homebred mare, a daughter of Thoroughbred Primitive Rising out of a Louella Inschallah mare. “She is a cool character and has always been consistent in her dressage but up till recently has lacked flair. However now she is more mature and stronger she is able to be more expressive,” said Mary who is looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country. “Both my two are capable of jumping round and it is up to me to make sure we do a good job. It will be interesting to see how it rides but I think it will be a good course for first-timers as it encourages bold forward riding.”

Others to have a good day in the dressage arena were; last year’s winners Caroline Powell and Lenamore who are in sixth place, British rider Laurence Hunt and Phoebus (9th) while the stallion Chilli Morning also gained an average score of 68.33 for 18th place.

However less than 10 penalties separate the top 20 combinations – the equivalent of just 25 seconds over the optimum time.

Results After Dressage for the Six Americans Entered at Burghley:

12. Sinead Halpin, Manoir de Carneville - 46.0
16. Michael Pollard, Icarus - 46.7
24. Boyd Martin, Neville Bardos - 49.7
32. Julian Stiller, Chaple Amble - 52.0
73. Colleen Rutledge, Shiraz - 63.7
William Coleman - Withdrawn before Dressage