Happy Times for Griffiths at Burghley
It all came down to the showjumping at this year’s Burghley Horse Trials, with Andrew Nicholson and Avebury named the Burghley Champions for the third consecutive year following their clear round with only two time faults.
Sam Griffiths and Happy Times were in second position following the cross country but two rails saw the combination finish in third position whilst Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise climbed into second position following a clear round.
“I was a bit disappointed to have two down, naturally I wanted to jump clear to put the pressure on Andrew, but it wasn’t to be. The horses have to be so good after jumping around that massive cross country course yesterday, then to turn around and try and leave all the poles up today, it takes a big effort from the horses, and I’m thrilled with the way my horse has gone” reflected Griffiths.
Two other Australians finished in the top ten with Bill Levett and Improvise jumping clear to finish in 6th position, whilst first time Burghley competitor Murray Lamperd and Under The Clocks finished in 10th place.
“He (Improvise) has come out today and has been brilliant, it’s always lovely to finish on a good note, for us to go home now on a clear round is the icing on the cake” said an elated Levett.
Burghley also concluded the 2013/2014 FEI Classics, with William Fox-Pitt taking out the series for the 4th time following his wins at both Pau (FRA) and Kentucky (USA), and his fourth place at Burghley. Sam Griffiths was named the runner up after winning at Badminton and his third position at Burghley.
Three Australians in top ten following Burghley cross country
The cross country at Burghley has lived up to its reputation with 36 clear rounds from the 63 starters and 42 completions.
Sam Griffiths and his London Olympic Games mount Happy Times are currently sitting in second position behind two time Burghley winning combination Andrew Nicholson and Avebury. The jumping will prove to be very influential as less than one rail separates Nicholson and Griffiths.
Griffiths was stopped twice during his cross country round. “I was having a cracker of a round, going beautifully, then at about 5 and a half minutes I got stopped. But it took me a bit to get going after that, it broke our rhythm a bit but he kept on jumping beautifully. I’m just thrilled with how it went, to jump around Burghley clear is always an achievement” said Griffiths.
Bill Levett (Improvise) and Murray Lamperd (Under The Clocks) both produced clear jumping rounds and are currently sitting in 9th and 10th position, whilst Dressage leader Jonathan Paget slipped into 4th positon after incurring 16.4 time penalties.Andrew Hoy (Rutherglen) decided to retire at the far end of the course in front of fence 21.
Natalie Blundell and Algebra experienced a fall on course which resulted in Blundell being taken to hospital as a precaution. As Blundell explains, both horse and rider are ok. “Sammi (Algebra) and I are ok, just some ligament damage and bruised pride. Looking forward to riding at Goulburn in October”.
A lot is at stake ahead of the jumping phase as leader Andrew Nicholson and Avebury aim for their Burghley trifecta whilst Sam Griffiths will be striving to take out the second leg of eventing's grand slam following his Badminton win.
Hoy and Griffiths in top 5 following dressage at Burghley
The Dressage at Burghley is complete with New Zealand rider Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise taking the lead on 38.8 penalties. Sam Griffiths and Happy Times have moved into 3rd positon and Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen slipped into 5th position overnight, but it’s early days as a mere two penalties separate the top 5 places.
Bill Levett and Improvise are not far behind in 15th position on 48.7 penalties whilst first time Burghley competitor Murray Lamperd and Under The Clocks follow in 17th place on 50.2 penalties.
"He (Improvise) is a young horse, he did his first 4* in Germany in the Spring and he had a slightly better mark, he is a typical young horse, I’m pleased, he held it together well, and there is a lot to be encouraged for the future of the horse," reflected Bill Levett following his dressage test.
"I think they have got it right, the course will be a true test of stamina, fitness and accuracy, it will come down to the riders getting a good distance and the horses being brave enough and fit enough to take it on,' said Levett ahead of Saturday’s cross country.
Natalie Blundell and Algebra are currently in 48th position with 59.8 penalties.
5 September 2014
Griffiths and Hoy hold top positions at Burghley
Two Australians competed in day one of the dressage at the 2014 Burghley International Horse Trials and they are off to a flying start. Sam Griffiths and Happy Times are currently in the lead with a score of 40.2 with Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen only 0.6 penalties behind.
Although Hoy and Griffiths are elated to be holding the two top spots, they are very mindful of what lies ahead.
Current dressage leader Sam Griffiths said, “I was really pleased with him (Happy Times) I have been working really hard on our dressage, and thankfully it came off today. It’s a traditional massive Burghley, there are some huge jumps out there, you need a really special horse to jump around this course, I need a great horse to get around there, it’s tough, but I have a horse that I know can do it.”
Andrew Hoy has won Burghley twice, the first time as a 20 year old on his 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games mount, Davey and secondly in 2004 on his 2002 World Equestrian Games mount, Moonfleet.
"Burghley is always going to be Burghley, it is always going to be big, the terrain is always influential here. For me, I believe Burghley to be the strongest four star in the world," commented Hoy.
Friday will see the remaining Australian combinations compete in the dressage including Bill Levett (Improvise), Natalie Blundell (Algebra) and Murray Lamperd (Under the Clocks).
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