Ros Canter cemented her place as one of eventing’s greats by adding her first Defender Burghley CCI5* victory to her already extensive CV today (Sunday 8 September).

The 38-year-old also joins an elite group of riders to win both Burghley and Badminton.

The magnificent Lordships Graffalo carried her to both titles — Ros won the latter in 2023 — and they set a new record finishing score of 23.6 penalties at Burghley.

This victory — which comes with a £110,000 pay cheque — comes off the back of a team gold medal at the Paris Olympics a few weeks ago.

Ros Canter described ‘Walter’, who is owned by Michele and Archie Saul and also carried her to dual European gold last year, as being “a legend in his own right”.

“What other horse at the age of 12 has achieved what he has in recent years?” she said.

“I’m just a lucky person to be able to pilot a horse like him. He honestly thrives in this kind of atmosphere.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have great horses in the last few years but they find things like this stressful. Walter absolutely relishes it.”

View the top 10 and read their reactions below…

Winners: Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo

Ros Canter was the bookies’ favourite when she arrived at this Lincolnshire five-star with two horses in tow.

As predicted, she led from the outset.

First with Izilot DHI, who retired cross-country following a run out, paving the way for stablemate Walter to take the lead.

“[Winning Burghley] means everything,” said Ros. “I’ve been lucky and I’ve achieved some great things.

“I came into this year and the Olympics was that one big box to tick. In some ways it’s made me a bit flat, and so I came into this week and thought I don’t need this, but I really want it.

“I haven’t told anybody I’ve had a good feeling all week. I felt really confident, brave to go out there and be me, and I’ve stuck to my system.

“I haven’t asked questions of everyone else about how to ride a course, what strides they’re going on. I’ve said to myself you know what you’re doing, believe in yourself and it’s really paid off.”

2nd: Tim Price and Vitali

Popular New Zealand rider Tim Price will be hoping that he and Vitali, who is owned by Joseph and Alex Giannamore, have finally put their showjumping demons to rest.

One rolled pole today was good enough to hang on to the runner-up spot. Until day, the 14-year-old gelding has had at least three showjumps down.

Last year at Burghley, they led after cross-country, but 12 showjumping faults dropped them to fourth.

“It’s funny how you arrive at your final position or your final score. Last year, to be in the lead and to fall from grace, whereas this time he’s been solid the whole way through with three good phases, which means you should net a good result at the end,” said Tim.

“He was really present and with me [for the showjumping]. I think that’s half the key with him. I’m just so happy that all the hard work pays off.”

3rd: Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal

Cavalier Crystal, one of three horses piloted by British rider Harry Meade, matched the third place she secured here last year.

Harry also steered Annaghmore Valoner into fourth and Superstition into 12th.

In doing so, Harry joined an exclusive club of riders who have piloted two horses clear inside the time on cross-country day at Burghley.

He is the sixth rider (and only the second British rider) to pull it off, following in the footsteps of:

  • Andrew Nicholson (2013, 2001, 1995 & 1991)
  • Mary King (2010)
  • Andrew Hoy (2006, 2005)
  • Mark Todd (1991 & 1987)
  • Tinks Pottinger (1987)

“I jumped 2.9 clears,” said Harry with a smile. “To finish third, fourth and 12th is a wonderful weekend.

“They were magic cross-country and then to come out and jump two clear [showjumping] rounds on the first two horses, both inside the time when there had hardly been any, and then the third horse [Annaghmore Valoner] just breathed on a pole.”

4th: Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner

Harry said that after showjumping his third horse, Annaghmore Valoner, he couldn’t watch the last two riders — Tim and Ros — jump their rounds.

“I hate watching at the end,” he said. “I got off the horse and walked away with fingers in the ears because I just can’t watch friends jumping willing them to have a fence down.

“So I just thought let the next three minutes go by and then someone will either slap me on the back or say bad luck.

“There’s more to life than winning and losing.”

Despite his great feat today, Harry confessed that he is “desperate to win one of these [a five-star] one day”.

“It wasn’t my year. I wasn’t going to beat Ros if I jumped a clear round and huge congratulations to her,” he added.

5th: Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift

Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift, who were long-listed for the British Olympics team, added another top five five-star placing to their card when finishing fifth.

They were second here in 2022 and also finished fifth at Badminton in 2023 and 2024.

“He just tries so hard for me all the time; what more can you ask for,” said Tom after his showjumping round.

“He felt quite sprightly. He loves the crowds. Every time someone jumped clear and they get a big roar, you can just feel him lift [in the warm up] so I made sure he was right at the gate for the person before me.

“As soon as you go in with that atmosphere he’s like, ‘okay, game on’.

“[This] is what we all do it for,” continued Tom. “It can be a gruelling job at times, but moments like this at the likes of Badminton and Burghley are what we do it for.”

6th: Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza

Gaspard Maksud, 31, brought the 11-year-old mare Zaragoza to Burghley after being long-listed for the French Olympic team but not making the final cut.

Their sixth placing here makes them the best of the first timers in 2024.

7th: Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold Hdc

Another Frenchman in the top 10 is Nicolas Touzaint, the 44-year-old rider who won Olympic team silver in Paris and is former winner of both Badminton and Pau.

His Burghley partner was Absolut Gold Hdc.

8th: Alex Bragg and Quindiva

Alex Bragg takes Quindiva pure showjumping and they have competed at Horse of the Year Show before.

Their prowess in this phase helped them net eighth place with a confident clear round inside Burghley’s main arena.

They were also the first to finish yesterday’s cross-country track clear and inside the optimum time — a feat that only three more horses would go on to achieve.

Alex and Quindiva finished third at Badminton earlier this year, and they were 15th at Burghley in 2023.

9th: Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight

Although she confessed to feeling “horrendous” before her cross-country round due to nerves, 39-year-old Gemma Tattersall piloted Chilli Knight into ninth.

The 14-year-old chestnut gelding, who the one-off Bicton CCI5* in 2021, looked set to win Badminton this year until they were handed 15 penalties for a missed flag in Huntsman’s Close.

10th: Alice Casburn and Topspin

Alice Casburn and Topspin pulled off their third Burghley showjumping clear round on the trot to secure the seventh top-20 placing of their five-star career.

“He was phenomenal,” said Alice. “I came in today and thought ‘ooh, three clear rounds on the trot, that’s a rather big ask’, but he was incredible in there.

“I felt him light up as I went in. I wasn’t where I wanted to be [for every fence] but he helped me out like the legend he is.”

Sixteen-year-old Topspin is home-bred by Alice’s mother, Caroline.

“He’s actually the favourite child,” smiled Alice.

“Someone said the other day, if she had to pick between me and Spin, she’d definitely pick Spin.

“As much as he’s a competition horse, he’s also a family pet. We adore him and he still has his old ways that he had when he was tiny, so it’s really sweet.”

‘A great weekend of sport’

The final scoreboard shows that there were 14 clear rounds from 39 starters today. Eight of which were within the time allowed of 77 seconds.

Ros Canter described Defender Burghley as “a magical place” and Tim Price added: “We’re so grateful to Defender Burghley to keep presenting the sport of eventing at this level”.

Event director Martyn Johnson expanded: “It’s been a great weekend for five-star sport.

“We always look to improve and future-proof this event. It’s a balancing act to keep it in the traditions everyone loves while keeping it fresh and relevant.”

Images by Trevor Holt

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