Australia vividly represented at Burghley, beginning tomorrow
Australia will be vividly represented by three riders at the 2017 Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials beginning tomorrow.
The trio of Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Andrew Hoy (The Blue Frontier), Warren Lamperd (Silvia) and Paul Tapner (Bonza King of Rouges) are all competing on grey horses giving the Aussies a distinctly unique presence.
“The grooms will be needing plenty of white baby powder and chalk to present their horses and it will get pretty competitive amongst them to see who looks cleanest and best,” joked Warren Lamperd.
“Andrew Hoy will not be impressed if one of the other greys comes up better than his,” he added.
Lamperd will be competing at his third Burghley. His first experience at the iconic event was in 1999 on Bootlegger and in 2015 he campaigned with his 16-year-old mare Silvia.
“It’s great to be get back here again.”
“Silvia has schooled well and seems pretty focussed so we so we will put her in there and see what happens.”
One of Silvia’s best performances this season was a 13th placing at Chatsworth International CIC3*.
Fellow Aussie Paul Tapner has a positive outlook towards this week’s event with his 14-year-old gelding Bonza King of Rouges making his Burghley debut. It will be their first major outing since Badminton in early May.
“I am very much looking forward to competing there because he has come into a really good run of form with wins at Hickstead, a very near win at Astin Le Walls and a double clear at Hartpury CIC3*,” Tapner said.
“Badminton was his first attempt at four-star and I am hoping that Burghley will be his first completion at this level.”
The colourful and popular rider called on any Australians attending this year’s event to get out and support them.
“Any Aussies that are going to be out there make sure you give us lots of Aussie Aussie Aussie cheers,” he said.
Coming hot on the heels of the 2017 European Eventing Championships in Strezgom, Poland, this year’s edition of Burghley looks set to be an international affair with more than
80 horses from nations including France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Sweden, USA and the UK competing for £90k first prize.
The entry list includes many former winners; 2010 champion Caroline Powell is entered with two rides Onwards and Upwards and Spice Sensation, alongside 2009 winner and team GB member Oliver Townend, who has also entered two horses: Ballaghmor Class and Cooley SRS. Three-time Olympic gold medallist, Germany’s Michael Jung, who won at Burghley in 2015 and is currently ranked world number one will also be looking to leave with the prestigious Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
Popular 2017 Badminton winner another British-based New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson will be striving to secure his place on the podium in his quest to achieve the Rolex Grand Slam.
Burghley Event Director, Elizabeth Inman said: “The standard of entries is as high as ever this year and we look forward to welcoming some if not all of the European Eventing Championship medallists to Lincolnshire this autumn.”
“As always Mark Phillips’ cross country course will provide riders and horses with a true 4* challenge,” she said.
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