Australian Eventers head to Burghley

Five Australian representatives are set to compete in one of the key 4* events on the calendar, the Burghley Horse Trials. Australian World Equestrian Games (WEG) Eventing team representatives Bill Levett (Improvise) and Sam Griffiths (Happy Times) will be competing in the prestigious event, alongside Olympian Andrew Hoy (Rutherglen) Natalie Blundell (Algebra) and Murray Lamperd (Under the Clocks).

Bill Levett remained positive after his WEG debut didn’t go as planned and saw him withdraw Shannondale Titan after the cross country phase.  “One door closes another door opens,” reported Bill on his blog. “I’m hoping I will have a little luck on my side this coming week.”

Having won the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials in May, Sam Griffiths is aiming to claim his second leg of eventing's grand slam on his London Olympic mount, Happy Times.

“He (Happy Times) is in really good form. He has been around this course quite a few times so I’m feeling pretty confident. I fancy my chances, but you know there are a lot of great riders out there on great horses."

The last Australian to take out the Burghley title was Lucinda Fredericks riding Headley Britannia in 2006.