The rain came but could not dampen spirits at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this weekend where Christopher Burton put in a strong performance to take the win.

Riding Noblis 18 Christopher took the coveted title ahead of Andrew Nicholson and Nero in second and Jonelle Price and Classic Moet in third.

The Brits wern’t knocked entirely out of the top 10 though with Oliver Townend coming seventh and Tina Cook snapping up tenth.

After a nail-biting round of show jumping in which Christopher clocked up 16 jumping penalties he spoke with Rupert Bell on his win and about his nerves heading into the final phase.

“The sun was out this afternoon and I thought you don’t often get to lead a four-star like that.”

“The horse is fabulous and I’m sure he’ll go on to have even more success.”

Christopher Burton (AUS) riding NOBILIS 18 during the cross country phase of The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials near Stamford in Lincolnshire UK on 3rd September 2016

Speaking to Josh Peacock after the event Jonelle Price expressed her pleasure at having risen up the ranks from a fifth pacing last year to third in 2016 with cross-country machine Classic Moet.

“At the end of the day it’s a top three for Classic Moet, a first at four-star level for her,” she said. “ I can’t really complain. She’s incredible cross-country, she’s my dream ride I think. We get each other, it’s a real team out there, I trust her implicitly and visa versa and that really shows on a day like yesterday. “

And it wasn’t just the eventing action the crowds were able to enjoy at Burghley. In the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse show class top names such as Katie Jerram put on their best shows but it was Alistair Hood and Jack the Gaint who claimed first prize.

The results:

  1. Jack the Giant, ridden by Alistair Hood and owned by the Jackpots syndicate
  2. Barbers Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram and owned by Her Majesty The Queen
  3. Wild West, ridden and owned by Lizzie Harris
  4. Hero Worship, owned and ridden by Abigail Cole
  5. Allied Answer, owned and ridden by Clare Poole
  6. Awesome Freddie, owned and ridden by Samantha Wallin

For all the results visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk

[Photos courtesy of Nixonphotos /The Land Rover Burghley horse Trials]