Contents

Sunday, September 7th, Show Jumping Day

With Zara Phillips and Toytown and Pippa Funnell with Primmore's Pride tied for first place and the $250,000 Rolex Challenge prize riding on Pippa's performance; and Andrew Nicholson a mere .6 of a fault adrift of the leaders going into the final phase, it was pin drop time in the packed Burghley Show Jumping arena.

Andrew and Lord Killinghurst had the last fence down for 4 faults and a final score of 46.4.

Pippa Funnell and Primmore's Pride jumped a gorgeous clear, .44 of a second within the time allowed, to bring down the house. (Pippa and Primmore's Pride are pictured at right.)

What would Zara Phillips do? All went well until the third from home, the last of the triple, where Toytown just rolled the green and white rail for four faults and a drop to 2nd place.

Pippa Funnell wins the Rolex Grand Slam - Rolex-Kentucky and Burghley with Primmore's Pride - and Badminton with Supreme Rock!

"I think I aged 10 years through yesterday and another five today. I was just shattered! It's all the pressure and build up. I am just so relieved! I don't think I want to go through it again," Pippa said through tears of relief and joy as her fellow competitors congratulated her with hugs and kisses. The very first person to congratulate Pippa was Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips, himself a winner of Burghley, and currently the coach for the USET's Eventing squad.

"All credit to Zara for someone her age (22 and just out of young riders) she did a fantastic job," Pippa continued.

Zara was thrilled with Toytown. "He jumped the best he has done in ages. He had four down in his last Three Day Event." (Zara and Toytown are pictured atthe left.)

There are not many perfect endings in life or in Eventing; but, this was fairy tale perfect. Anyone who was priviledged to be present at Butghley for the 2003 CCI**** will remember it for the rest of their lives.

 

 

 

American Finishers and Placings:

4th - John Williams, Carrick, 53.0, (4SJ faults)
6th - Bruce Davidson, Little Tricky, 54.4, (0 SJ faults)
12th - Cindy Collier Rawson, Ashdale's David's Way, 63.2 (0 SJ faults)
15th - David O'Connor, Tigger Too, 66.2, (12 faults SJ)
17th - Amy Tryon, Poggio II, 69.0 (0 SJ faults)
18th - John Williams, Sloopy, 71.2, (4 SJ faults)
26th - William Coleman, Fox In Flight, 75.6, (12 SJ faults)
27th - Karen O'Connor, Upstage, 76.6, (12 SJ faults)
31st - Lindsay Smith-Pozarycki, Holy Gallant, 84.4 (12 SJ faults)
40th - Stephen Bradley, From, 100.6, (16 SJ faults)
41st - Darren Chiacchia, Power Ty, 103.8 (4 SJ faults)
44th - Heidi White, Northern Spy, 107.8, (10 SJ faults)
46th - Sara Kozumplik, As You Like It, 118.4, (32 SJ faults)
52nd - Jonathan Holling, Lion King II, 155.2 (8 SJ faults)

 

(John Williams and Carrick, the highest placed American pair, in 4th place, are pictured at right.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Americans Placed in the Top 10 and Six in the Top 20.

DNF - Amy Tryon, Woodstock
NF - Shannon Ewing, Adrenaline Rush

More Pictures will appear in these pages by next weekend.

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(The below report is a Press Release from the US Equestrian Team.)

United States Equestrian Team Eventing Riders Win US-UK Challenge Match

Gladstone, NJ—September 9, 2003—United States Equestrian Team (USET) eventing riders defeated British eventing riders in the first-ever US-UK Challenge Match, Sponsored by Mountain Horse, at the Burghley Masterfoods Horse Trials CCI**** in England.

Modeled after golf’s Ryder Cup, the Challenge Match pitted seven individuals from each country head-to-head against each other. The U.S. won four of the matches to the UK’s three.

Leading the U.S. to victory was John Williams who finished fourth overall in the CCI**** with a score of 53.0 penalties on Carrick. Williams defeated Mary King on King Solomon III who withdrew prior to show jumping.

Also winning for the U.S. was Bruce Davidson, who placed sixth overall with a score of 54.4 on Little Tricky. He defeated Polly Jackson who had a score of 96.2 on Limestone Rise. David O’Connor, who finished 15th with a score of 66.2 on Tigger Too, defeated Jeanette Brakewell who retired on Phase D with Plantangnet of Rushall, and William Coleman, who finished 26th with a score of 75.6 on Fox In Flight, defeated William Fox-Pitt, who finished 28th with a score of 77.0 on Ballincoola.

Winning for the UK was Pippa Funnel, whose overall win in the CCI made her the first-ever winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Funnnel, who completed the Rolex Grand Slam with consecutive wins in the Rolex Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley four-star events, finished with 41.8 penalties on Primmore’s Pride to defeat Amy Tryon who withdrew before Phase D with Woodstock. Also winning for the UK was Zara Phillips, daughter of USET chef d’equipe Captain Mark Phillips, who was second overall with a score of 45.8 on Toytown. She defeated Heidi White who finished with a score of 107.8 on Northern Spy. The other UK win was by Leslie Law who scored 61.2 on Shear H2O to defeat Karen O’Connor who had a score of 76.6 on Upstage.

In addition to winning the inaugural Challenge Match, the USET squad at Burghley was greatly successful in progressing toward next year’s Olympic Games. Thirteen U.S. horse-and-rider combinations earned certificates of capability for the 2004 Athens Olympics, satisfying all requirements for eligibility.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers, vaulters and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

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Sunday, September 7th, Final Veterinary Inspection

Four horses were withdrawn and did not present:

All The Best II, Matthew Wright (GBR)
Haka, Neil Sprat (NZL)
Balmoral Mr. Slinky, Matt Ryan (AUS)
King Richard, Mary King (GBR)

Three horses were sent to Holding:

Overton Sunrise, Selina Elliott (GBR) - Passed on Re-inspection
Shear H2O, Leslie Law (GBR) - Passed on Re-inspection
In The Purple, Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) - Not Passed

All the American horses who completed on Saturday passed the Veterinary Inspection.

 

Saturday, September 6, Cross Country Day

What an incredible competition! Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, riding Contor Index London's Toytown, last year's European Young Rider Individual Gold Medal winner, is in first place. (Zara and Toy town are pictured at right at the 3rd element of the Pig Stys Complex, Fence, 15c.)

Pippa Funnell, trying for the Rolex Grand Slam, riding Mrs. Denise Lincoln's and Metier Consulting's Primmore's Pride, winner of the Rolex-Kentucky CCI**** this spring, is in first place. (Pippa and Primmore's Pride are pictured below left at the second element of the Lower Trout Hatchery, 12b.)

Yes! The two Brits are tied for first place on 41.8. Zara and Toytown ran a double clear to advance from 3rd place. Pippa added 2.4 time faults to her 2nd place dressage score.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) is in 3rd place with Mr. Owen Moore's Lord Killinghurst, on 42.4. (Please see picture at the botton of this article.)

Bettina Hoy (GER) who had led after the Dressage phase, had 8.4 time faults and a stopn Cross Country to drop to21stplace.

John Williams stands 4th on Veronese Atkins', Elise de Papp, Dianne Tichell, Ann Williams and Rider's Carrick, the highest placed USET horse on the Gold Medal Winning Team at the World Championships at Jerez,Spain, last year. Carrick ran a doubel clear to move from = 9th place to 4th place, 7.2 faults adrift of the leaders.

John spoke of his ride on Carrick, "I was a little more brave than I am normally comfortable being. He doesn't always come back too well. When I want to slow down, he dumps himself on his forehand. At the Waterloo Flower Beds, you come off a tight left had turn. I wanted quite a tight distance. I couldn't get him back so rather than a 6 foot drop after the first element, it became a 9 foot drop. Then it was a fast four strides to the arrow head." It did work out.
(John and Carrick are pictured at right approachingThe Jetty, Fence #28, at The Lion Bridge.)

"Look at a video of the Pig Stys (Fence # 15a,b,c). Both horses (Sloopy and Carrick) were perfect through there.

"Carrick pulled a shoe somewhere,though he didn't tear up his foot. I could tell something was bugging him. He lost his rhythm ..." now and again."I had plenty of horse left with Carrick. He's never run out of gas. This was the longest course he's ever done. (At the end) he felt like he could keep on going. Sloopy was tired. This is a hard course to make up time on. It is the hilliest four star. I was wanting not to get down on the clock."

Sloopy had a problem at the Brush Valley Crossing (Fence 10a,b,c). he just didn't read the problem. he tried to add a stride and fell in the ditch with his hind end. I thought about a lot of thing there - should I pull up and go to the Pan Ams? If they give me a stop, I will argue it - I never presented to the 3rd element! I finally figured my way out of it. I lost about 30 seconds there and I caught up 10 of it. I think they had taken the 20 faults away (That they initially assessed John) before I finished."

"You wonder all day yesterday, 'Why do I do this?'

"You wonder all this morning, 'Why do I do this?'

"Then it's all over with and you are ready to go again!"

(Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst are pictured at left at the Lakeside Seat, Fence # 27.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other American placings:

David O'Connor, Tigger Too, 54.2, (2.4 time), 8th place.
Bruce Davidson, Little Tricky, 54.4, (double clear), 9th place.
Cindy Rawson, Ashdale David's Way, 63.2, (18.8 time), 19th place.
William Coleman, Fox In Flight, 63.6, (4.4 time), 20th place.
Karen O'Connor, Upstage, 64.6, (.8 time), 22nd place.
John Williams, Sloopy, 67.2, (8.4 time), 27th place.
Amy Tryon, Poggio II, 69.0, (10.0 time XC; 0.8 SC), 29th.
Lindsay Smith-Pozarycki, 73.8, (10.0 time), 33rd place.
Stephen Bradley, From, 84.6, (21.6 time, 20 jumping), 42nd place.
Sara Kozumplik, As You Like It, 86.4 (22.0 time), 43rd place.
Heidi White, Northern Spy, 97.6 (28.8 time, 20 jumping), 49th place.
Darren Chiacchia, Power Ty, 99.8, (19.6 time, 20 jumping), 51st place.
Jonathan Holling, Lion King II, 147.2 (28.0 time, 40 jumping), 57th.
Amy Tryon, Woodstock, Withdrew in "D" Box.
Shannon Ewing, Adrenaline Rush, Withdrew.

The Final Veterinary Inspection is at 8:00 AM. The Show Jumping starts at 10:00 AM.

 

Friday, September 5, Second Day of Dressage

A real pea soup fog covered the Stamford area this morning. Cars felt their ways out of the town to the Burghley House grounds with their hazzard lights flashing. It was difficult to see from the Judges Boxes at "C" and "M" to the entrance at "A". The Dressage started on time after some lengthy discussion, which the Dressage analyst, Sally O'Connor, Bryan and David's mother, described as follows:

"They were withering on about the fog and whether they should delay the start. Bill Henson (the Burghley Director) said, 'We'll give a radio to the judge at "E" and she can tell them what's going on!'" - and start at 9:00 AM they did.

The sun came out for Germany's Bettina Hoy and Woodsides Ashby. Woodside Ashby, an 11 year old gray gelding whose engagement and self carriage led to a wonderful score of 36.0, 3.4 faults ahead of the overnight leaders, Pippa Funnell and Primmore's Pride (39.4). (Bettina and Woodsides Ashby at the extended trot are pictured at right.)

The only other top six tests produced on the Friday were performed by Antipodeans. New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson, the second to last into the arena gained a 42.4 with Lord Killinghurs, for 4th place, 6.4 faults adrift of the leader from Germany. (Andrew and Lord Killinghurst are pictured below left.)

Australia's Paul Tapner with Highpoint achieved a 43.6, for 6th place, just behind the USET's Steve Bradley and From. This was an excellent score for the 13 year old Polish bred gelding

John Williams and Carrick provided the only American score to break into the 40's on Friday. Carrick's forward and accurate test gained a score of 49.0 for equal 9th place overall, tied with Heidi White and Northern Spy. John and Heidi were equal 3rd place Americans behind Steve Bradley and From, whose 43.0 was good for 5th place, and Cindy Collier Rawson with Ashdale David's Way, 7th on 44.4. (John and Carrick are pictured at right as they left the Dressage Arena.)

Heidi Antikatzides (GRE) withdrew Michaelmas at the 11th hour causing a time gap in the last group of Friday afternoon.

The first horse goes on Phase "A" at 10:00 Am Saturday; on Steeplechase at 10:20 Am; and on Cross Country at 11:10 AM.

 

 

American Scores on Friday:

John Williams, Carrick, 49.0, = 9th
Amy Tryon, Poggio II, 58.2, = 34th
William Coleman, Fox In Flight, 59.2, 43rd
Lindsay Smith-Pozarycki, 62.4, = 52nd
Karen O'Connor, Upstage, 63.8, = 56th

(Positions listed above are final at the end of the Dressage Phase.)

 

Thursday, September 4, First Day of Dressage

Six previous winners of Burghley are entered to compete this year.

For the United States, Bruce Davidson won in 1974 on Irish Cap. This was a World Championship and it was Bruce's win that brought the World's to Lexington, KY, in 1978. Stephen Bradley won in 1993 with Sassy Reason.

For New Zealand, Andrew Nicholson won in 1995 with Buckley Province and in 2000 on Mr. Smiffy, who he rides here again this year. Blyth Tait is also a two time previoux winner, 1n 1998 riding Chesterfield and again in 2001 with Ready Teddy.

For the "Home Team", Great Britain, William Fox-Pitt has been a double prior winner, in 1994 on Chaka, and again last year with Highland Lad. Mary King won in 1996 riding Star Appeal.

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After the first day of Dressage, Pippa Funnell, trying for the Rolex Challenge, The Grand Slam of Eventing, (the $250,000 prize, put up by Rolex, for any one who can win the three CCI****'s Rolex-Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley, consecutively, in any order) had a beautiful engaged and accurate test with her Rolex-Kentucky winner, Primmore's Pride, to take the lead on an excellent score of 39.4. (Pippa and Primmore's Pride are pictured at right.)

Pippa said, "I've been around the track. It is very similar to last year. They have done a fantastic job with the ground. They have been consistently spiking it and watering it. The competitors owe them a huge thank you! You wouldn't see this kind of care anywhere else in the world." The grounds around Burghley House are shockingly brown. In all the years your intrepid reporter has been attending Burghley, going back to the 1970's, conditions, due to lack of rain, have never been worse in the park. The Cross country track looks like a green road winding its way through the sere brown grass.

Pippa continued, (because) "There is little change from last year, (riders) musn't been lulled into a false sense of security." About Primmore's Pride, Pippa said, "He wastes time in the air. The terrain doesn't really suit him. He is such a big striding horse - there are so many turns and ups and downs."

Regarding the $250,000 Rolex Challenge, Pippa commented, "I'll never get this sort of opportunity to ride for this kind of money again. I was shattered mentally coming into this event The indecision of it all. Monday I decided that I was not going to risk Cornerman. (Cornerman was not quite right after a recent gallop and though nothing showed on a scan Pippa continued - - -) This sport revolves around the horse I owe everything to my horses. Of he is not 110% to 100% right, I couldn't risk putting him through it."

As of this writing, Pippa plans to do the Dressage on Friday with her second horse, Walk On Star, and then withdraw him to run in the European Championships at Punchestown in two weeks, where she is the defending Gold Medalist..

Zara Phillips, the daughter of two former Burghley winners, H.R.H.Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, who won Burghley in 1971 riding Doublet, and Captain Mark Phillips, the Burghley winner in 1973 with Maid Marion, stands 2nd with Toytown on a score of 41.8. Zara won the Bramham CCI***, under 25, in 2002, as well as the Individual Silver Medal at the Young Rider European Championships in the same year. This year Zara and Toytown placed 5th at the Luhmuhlen CCI***, in Germany. Burghley is the pair's first CCI****. (Zara and Toytown are pictured above left.)

Zara said, "I am trained by Bettina (Hoy), she is based at home. (Gatconbe) I find working with her very easy."

Stephen Bradley stands 3rd for the USA with the Russian bred From, formerly ridden by Peter Green, the Chairman of the USET's Selectors. Steve's Dressage has improved 100 fold since the spring events, a tribute to Steve's hard work. (Steve and From are pictured at right performing the "Halt, Immobility" at "C.")

Steve commented on the course for this year's Burghley by comparison to the course when he won here with Sassy Reason, in 1993. "This course gets us galloping strongly and very forward early. This includes the combination in the ring. It combines more of the old school riding forward with the skinnies and (other accuracy questions) of today."

When asked about the vast improvement in his Dressage since the spring Steve said, "I have spent 2 or 3 days a week with Mara Depuy. Maria Land, his (From's)owner spent the money to send him over here and I did not want to get another score in the 50's. It has been wonderful going back to school - for me to take a lot of lessons to keep up with the sport. I rode in training sessions with Mark (Phillips) and he or Sandy have helped me every day here. They are fabulous!"

The good news for American riders continued as as Cindy Collier Rawson slipped into 4th place with Ashdale's David's Way on a score of 44.4, ahead of Heidi White and Northern Spy, who also made it into the 40's, on 49.0, for 5th place. Northern Spy completed Rolex-Kentucky this spring as well as the Foxhall CCI*** and the Fair Hill CCI*** in 2002.

Ashdale David's Way and Cindy completed the Saumur CCI***, in France, this spring as well as the Pau CCI*** last year.

American Scores:

Stephen Bradley, From, 43.0, 5th
Cindy Collier Rawson, Ashdale David's Way, 44.4, 7th
Heidi White, Northern Spy, 49.0, = 9th
David O'Connor, Tigger Too, 51.8, 15th
Bruce Davidson, Little Tricky, 54.4, 23rd
Amy Tryon, Woodstock, 58.6, 38th
John Williams, Sloopy, 58.8, = 39th
Darren Chiacchia, Power Ty, 60.2, = 47th
Sara Kozumplik, As You Like It, 64.4, 61st
Jonathan Holling, Lion King, 79.2, 79th
Shannon Ewing, Adrenaline Rush, 86.2, 80th

(Positions listed above are final after the Dressage Phase.)

The second day of Dressage begins Friday at 9:00 AM.

 

Wednesday, September 3, First Veterinary Inspection

American Horses Fall Victim to Colic

Sad to report both of Linda Wachmeister's horses, to be ridden by Kim Severson, Winsome Adante and Royal Venture, coliced prior to Badminton. According to Phillip Dutton, one had an impaction and the other a twisted gut. Both were operated on last week by Mark Lucie, whose clinic is at Bourton-on-Water, here in England, and are finished for the season. The same sort of problem struck Karen O'Connor's ride, Jacob Two Two, who had been scheduled to run at the Blenheim CCI*** next week. He was operated on at Newmarket and also is out for the season. Karen said, "The only thing we can think of is that he was on meadow hay and switched to another hay." There is no corrolation between Jake and Kim's horses. They were miles apart when each became ill.

Burghley Trot Up

16 American horses trotted up before the Ground Jury on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM. Amy Tryon's Woodstock (Owned by the Woodstock Group) and Poggio II (Owned by Mr. Mark Hart and Rider); John Williams Sloopy (Owned by Mr. Robert Boeckman and Rider and Ms. Mary Denton) and Carrick (Owned by Ms. Veronese and Ms. Ann Williams Atkins and Rider and Ms. Elise and Mrs. Diane Tichell De Papp) (John and Carrick are pictured at right during the First Veterinary Inspection.); Jonathan Holling's Lion King II (Owned by Mrs. Jennifer Holling and Rider); Stephen Bradley's From (Owned by Mrs. Maria Land) (Steve and From are pictured below at right. Steve is a former Burghley winner for the USA); David O'Connor's Tigger Too (Owned by Xandarius LLC); Sara Kosumplik's As You Like It; Heidi White's Northern Spy; Darren Chiacchia's Power Ty (Owned by Ms. Eden Dedrick and Rider); Cindy Collier Rawson's Ashdale David's Way (owned by Mr. Donald Collier and Mr. Robert Futh); Shannon Ewing's Adrenaline Rush (Owned by B T Equestrian Group and Rider); Karen O'Connor's Upstage (Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thompson); Lindsay Smith-Pozaryckl's Holy Gallant; William Coleman's Fox In Flight (Owned by Tivoli Farm); and Bruce Davidson's Little Tricky (Owned by Mrs. Joan Bergmann, and Rider, and Mrs. Deborah Furnas).All passed.

Of course, should Pippa Funnell (GBR) win Burghley, she will capture the $250,000 Rolex Challenge for the rider who wins the three CCI****'s - Rolex-Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley - consecutively, in any order. Pippa will ride Primmore's Pride and Walk On Star in this effort. (Pippa and Primmore's Pride are pictured below, right.) Apparently, Pippa plans to take Cornerman to the European Championships as her twice European Individual Gold Medal ride, Supreme Rock, is on the side lines.

Others in with a chance are William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Ballincoola; Blyth Tait (NZL) and Eze; and Bettina Hoy (GER) on Woodsides Ashby.

Of the 83 horses who trotted up, three were sent to holding. Lucy Kemplay's (GBR) Karl D'Cymbeline passed upon re- inspection. Edde Stibbe's (Neth. Antilles) Autumn Breeze III and Mark Kyle (IRE) Drunken Disorderly both withdrew in the Holding Box.

Dressage begins Thursday morning at 9:20 AM.