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 offered an lively, elegant image, marred solely by fluffing the primary flying change, which Oliver mentioned was his error.
“She’s solely a 10-year-old and she or he’s had an thrilling life,” mentioned Oliver, referencing the actual fact Cooley Rosalent’s latest 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 group and the job, and also you by no means know which means horses are going to react and she or he did very, very nicely.”
Elaborating on the error within the first flying change, Oliver mentioned: “It was my error – I used to be over-trying and over-riding in order that was me realizing she’s babyish and attempting 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.
Waiting for tomorrow’s cross-country, Oliver mentioned the monitor turns into increasingly like Kentucky, the place Derek di Grazia can be the designer.
“That isn’t a criticism and it’s a bonus my mare has been to Kentucky,” mentioned Oliver, who’s a fan of Derek’s work. “It’s a severe, severe course, greater than it’s ever been in locations and getting skinnier and skinnier.
“She’s jumped round some massive tracks earlier than. I’m simply going to trip her positively and try to take care of her the most effective I can. I hope she learns so much on the way in which and we come dwelling with a very good outcome.”
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 an awesome 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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Emily King and Valmy Biats at Burghley 2024.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Caroline Powell and Greenacres Particular Cavalier at Burghley 2024.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF at Burghley 2023.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue are heading to Burghley after competing on the Paris Olympics.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
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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.
