Chris Burton Third After a Dramatic Conclusion in Leg Three of ERM

A thrilling conclusion kept everyone on their toes for the third leg of the Event Rider Masters Series. 

Australia’s Chris Burton and Quality Purdey were momentarily named the winners of the third leg, with what he thought was a clear round inside the time, but they ultimately finished third following a dramatic cross country conclusion.

When the ground jury elected to retroactively give Chris 11 frangible penalties for knocking the front element of the triple bar at fence 11, he dropped to third place on a final score of 40.7 and boosted Tim Price to victory.

“I heard the timber go down, and I tried to look back to see it,” Chris said. “I feel bad for the horse because I didn’t feel like she hit it that hard. Obviously we respect the rules, and the MIM clip is a really great system and a great rule for the safety of horses and riders. I’m still lucky enough to be on the podium, and being behind these two is no mean feat.”

Tim and Wesko were the only pair to jump clear and inside the optimum time on Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course, which saw a 53% clear jumping rate. They were also the only pair to finish on their dressage score, rising up from fourth place after the first phase to take the win on a final score of 30.5.

“The good horses make you look good, don’t they? I’ve missed him because of moments like that. He’s just so exceptional. The corner in the first water, I couldn’t quite see the line, but he was on it," Tim said.

Jonelle Price added 6.8 time penalties with Faerie Dianimo to finish on 39.1 for second place in the mare’s first international run since winning the Luhmühlen CCI5*-L last year. The result is Jonelle’s best ERM podium placing to date and her first time back on the podium since finishing third at Blenheim Palace with Cloud Dancer in 2016.

Despite missing out on the Arville win, Chris Burton still rose to the top of the ERM Series Rankings with 54 points. 

Jonelle Price now sits second in the rankings on 46 points, followed by Laura Collett in third on 45 points.

Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan, also chasing a top result after sitting fourth overnight, had a costly mistake when they jumped to the right of the flag at 5C, the SAP Water Corner, where Gemma Tattersall also came to grief.

Click here to view final results, and click here to view the rankings following Leg 3.

The fourth leg of the 2019 Event Rider Masters Series heads back to Haras de Jardy on the 13th and 14th of July. Just 10 minutes from Paris, the stunning Equestrian Centre and Stud boasts a beautiful 100-year-old stable yard complete with iconic clock tower. ]

Both the dressage and show jumping phases are held in the spectacular main arena overlooked by the luxurious, permanent Orangery hospitality facilities that ERM spectators enjoy. We'll be bringing you all the action as it happens on eventridermasters.tv. Don't miss it.]

Supplied by ERM