Wet conditions on the cross-country day thinned the field significantly, with only 37 of the 71 starters finishing the course. A further 5 combinations were withdrawn before the showjumping.

After the cross-country Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo had a 10.4 point lead over Phillip Dutton on Woodburn.  Dutton had climbed up from 15^th after the dressage with a clear and fast cross-country round (one of 3 to go within the time, the others were Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo and fellow Britain Rosie Thomas aboard Barry’s Best, elevating her from 58^th to 16^th).

Sadly for Dutton, who was sitting in 2^nd place on the HSBC points ladder coming into Burghley, Woodburn did not pass the final veterinary inspection and was withdrawn from the competition.

Going into the final phase Fox-Pitt was then lying in 1^st on Tamarillo (39.8) and 2^nd on Ballincoola (51.0), Mary King was 3^rd on Imperial Cavalier (54.7) and 4^th on Apache Sauce (56.7).

The showjumping proved to be very testing  however it did not alter the top 4 positions, Tamarillo lowered 2 rails, Ballincoola and both of Mary’s horses had one rail each.

There were only 2 clear showjumping rounds, the first from Clea Phillipps (GBR) and Lead the Way who finished 6^th and the other from 5^th placegetter Nicola Wilson (GBR) on Opposition Buzz.

New Zealand’s Annabel Wigley on Black Drum finished in 7^th a big improvement from their position after the dressage where they placed 42^nd.

Paul Tapner and Innothing finished in 9^th position. Paul was 10th after the dressag with 48.5 penalties.  He incurred 15.4 time faults on the cross-country which left him in 12^th position and 2 rails down in the jumping improved their position to 9^th.

Following yesterday’s veterinary inspection 71 horses will start the competition.  Brandenburgs Joshua ridden by former winner, American rider Stephen Bradley – did not pass the inspection and was withdrawn from the competition.

Dressage starts today with Stuart Tinney the first Australian rider to compete (number 15) followed by Paul Tapner (number 36).  Andrew Hoy (number 50) and Matt Ryan (number 63) will ride on Friday.  Fellow Aussie Sam Griffiths was entered but has withdrawn his horse Connigar Bay.

William Fox-Pitt will be looking to maintain his lead in the HSBC FEI Classics - a series consisting of the world’s five four-star events. At the end of each season, which concludes after Les Etoiles de Pau in October the winner of the series will receivce $US 150,000.
Fox-Pitt is riding 2005 Burghley winner Ballincoola – a 16 year-old who has been around Burghley on 5 previous occasions.  Fox-Pitt is also riding Tamarillo, the 2004 Badminton winner for his first time at Burghley.

Also keen for a win at Burghley is American Phillip Dutton who is currently in second place in the HSBC standings.  Phillip is riding the 12 year-old gelding Woodburn.

Current HSBC standings

Good luck Aussies!!