An emotional Oliver Townend paid credit to the “incredible” Ballaghmor Class, as he was crowned winner of Burghley Horse Trials for the third time. Following an impressive dressage and cross-country, Oliver was in second position as he entered the showjumping. Crowds held their breath as he completed the final phase, and despite having the last fence down, he had done enough to claim his third Burghley victory.
He paid tribute to his team at home and noted that his two-time Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class couldn’t be more deserving.
“I’m just so proud of him and the whole team behind us at home, most of whom have been with me for many years and are responsible for enabling us to win so many five-stars,” he said.
Second went to David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed. The consistent combination were one of only two horses to complete the cross-country within the optimum time, and produced a neat clear in the final phase to finish on their dressage score of 33.7
“He was magic,” said David. “We had a couple of lucky rubs in there, but he’s a very special horse and deserves this result.”
Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal went clear in the showjumping, taking the final place on the podium. Their final score was 37.4.
Tim Price and Vitali had led the first two phases with style, performing an exceptional dressage and were home clear in the cross-country. However, with time faults in the cross-country and three down in the showjumping, Tim dropped down fourth.
In fifth was Wills Oakden Oughterard Cooley, who were the second rider to complete the cross-country without time faults. With four faults in the showjumping the ended on a score of 38.9. Behind him was Pippa Funnell and Majas Hope
Twenty one-year-old Alice Casburn took seventh aboard her mother’s homebred, Topspin, and Wills Oaken, on his second ride, Arklow Puissance, eighth.
In ninth and 10th was Boyd Martin with Tsetserleg and On Cue respectively.
Lead image of Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Credit: Trevor Holt. All images other images also by Trevor Holt
