Burton's victory provides a fairytale ending to a formidable partnership

Chris Burton and HP Leilani winners of the Aachen CICO3* 
Photograph:courtesy http://www.chioaachen.de/en

The 17 year old mare, who Burton represented Australia with at the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2010 World Equestrian Games, will return to Australia in September for retirement and Burton did not imagine that her final outing would have all the makings of a fairytale. 

Originally Leilani was supposed to retire after London, then after Badminton, but then Burton had asked her owners, Jean and Jade Findlay, if he could ride her in Aachen. They consented and the Australian took this opportunity to claim the victory.

“I didn’t expect to win. The Germans have simply been so good lately. I am overjoyed,” the 31-year-old beamed.

Following the dressage phase, the Australian combination was sitting in fifth position but a clear show jumping round moved them into third and well within reach of the title with just the cross county phase to contest.

They were the only combination to jump a clear cross county round and return home within the permitted time which elevated them to top spot by the smallest of margins.

In the end there was only a second between them and second place Sandra Auffarth (and Ganderkese) of Germany.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist, Michael Jung, finished third.

The team victory went to Germany, followed by Great Britain and Sweden with Australia finishing in fourth.

Full results available at: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/

 29 June 2013

Germany leads eventing at Aachen, Australia in third

Australia's eventing team is sitting in third position ahead of Saturday's deciding cross country phase at CHIO Aachen. They trail the home team of Germany who has a significant lead over the field and are less than a penalty point behind Great Britain.

In their final time competing together, London 2012 combination Chris Burton and HP Leilani are the best positioned of the Australians after scoring 35.60 in the dressage phase and completing a clear show jumping round.

Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo were in second following the dressage phase but incurred four jumping penalties so they now sit in fifth place on a score of 36.60.

Germany is currently heading the field with a score of 113.40 points. Great Britain, who ranked fourth after the dressage, has since moved up into second place (132.60), followed by Australia in third place (133.20) who has a one rail advantage over New Zealand heading into Saturday’s decider.

In the driving Boyd Exell has maintained second position overall after the obstacle phase and will need to make up a small margin in the final marathon phase if he is to defeat Chester Webber of the USA. 

 28 June 2013

Aussie Eventers aiming for top honours at Aachen

The composition of Australia's eventing team has been released ahead of the first day of competition later today at CHIO Aachen. This event is also the fourth round of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series.

The Australian team will compete in the following order:

Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks (owned by Murray Lamperd and Jade Wishart) will compete in the individual event.

There are 42 combinations from 10 nations competing in the eventing competition at Aachen which begins with dressage followed by jumping later today. The event will draw to a conclusion with Saturday’s cross country phase.

Australia finished in the bronze medal position at its most recent FEI Nations Cup outing at Houghton Hall but will have to overcome some fierce competition if they are to improve upon that standing with New Zealand and home team Germany both presenting strong teams.

2012 individual champion Chris Burton has mixed emotions heading into this year’s competition as it will be his final outing with the 17 year old mare and London Olympic mount HP Leilani who is set to return to Australia shortly after the event.

“Excited to be at Aachen but very sad that this will be my last show on HP Leilani. What a great horse she has been,” he said.

Meanwhile Australia’s Boyd Exell has started his campaign for a fifth consecutive Aachen driving title and is sitting in second after the dressage phase.

Earlier Vaulter Krystle Lander recorded a score 6.45 to finish in 22^nd position in the female individual event.

Live streaming of the Aachen CHIO is available here http://www.clipmyhorse.de/de/live/chio/1

For further information and results please visit the website: http://www.chioaachen.de/en/