Oliver Townend strikes into Burghley Horse Trials dressage third place

Oliver Townend has slotted into third place within the Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage standings with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s precocious mare Cooley Rosalent, on a rating of 24.4.

This spring’s Kentucky Three-Day Occasion winner scored the primary 10 of the competitors – from floor jury president Christina Klingspor for her mid-test halt – and introduced an lively, elegant image, marred solely by fluffing the primary flying change, which Oliver stated was his error.

“She’s solely a 10-year-old and she or he’s had an thrilling life,” stated Oliver, referencing the actual fact Cooley Rosalent’s current experiences have included laps of honour at Kentucky and Maryland 5 Star, the place she was third final autumn.

“Going into an environment like that, she’s attending to know the gang and the job, and also you by no means know which method horses are going to react and she or he did very, very properly.”

Elaborating on the error within the first flying change, Oliver stated: “It was my error – I used to be over-trying and over-riding in order that was me figuring out she’s babyish and making an attempt to assist her and doubtless overdoing it.”

Oliver Townend referred to hoping to be within the prime six on the finish of the Burghley Horse Trials dressage, as a result of his double Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class was sixth within the dressage on his first try right here in 2017 and went on to win.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country, Oliver stated the observe turns into increasingly like Kentucky, the place Derek di Grazia can also be the designer.

“That isn’t a grievance and it’s a bonus my mare has been to Kentucky,” stated Oliver, who’s a fan of Derek’s work. “It’s a critical, critical course, larger than it’s ever been in locations and getting skinnier and skinnier.

“She’s jumped round some large tracks earlier than. I’m simply going to trip her positively and attempt to take care of her the perfect I can. I hope she learns lots on the best way and we come house with a superb consequence.”

The rider instantly earlier than Oliver, France’s Gireg Le Coz (Aisprit De La Loge), now holds fourth on 25.3, with Caroline Powell in fifth after a fantastic take a look at this morning on Greenacres Particular Cavalier. In a single day chief Ros Canter nonetheless holds pole place on Izilot DHI and Emily King is second on Valmy Biats.

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H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L degree, and has labored within the business on a prime occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest degree, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.