The Land Rover

Burghley Horse Trials, 2007.



Burghley House, Lincolnshire.
30th August – 2nd September 2007.


by Rosemary Cooper.

The finish of the 2007 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials proved to be a cliffhanger, with the result hanging in the balance until the final fence. Four riders went into the last phase with less than a fence between them, but when Lord Killinghurst and Andrew Nicholson, still in the lead on their dressage score after cross–country, hit the final set of planks after having an earlier fence down, victory passed to William Fox-Pitt on Parkmore Ed, who had hit only the last fence.

Philip Adkins owns Parkmore Ed, a bay fourteen-year-old whom he sends to William from time to time. ‘He’s let me have him for Bramham in 2004 and Blenheim in 2006,’ commented William. ‘It’s like giving me an ice cream but only letting me have one mouthful.’ Philip has competed on Ed himself, but this was Ed’s four-star debut.

William and Ed took an early lead on the dressage on Thursday morning, but were soon overtaken by New Zealander Andrew Nicholson on his old campaigner, the near-black Lord Killinghurst, who broke through the 40 barrier with a score of 39.6, and held this lead until late on Friday.




Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst.


Then Clayton Fredericks, winner of the Kentucky Rolex, took the lead with a score of only 39.0 on Nullabor. Spectators started to wonder if one of the Fredericks will yet win the Grand Slam, but Clayton’s wife, last year’s winner Lucinda, is resting Headley Britannia.

‘The most difficult course in the world this year,’ was course-builder Captain Mark Phillips’ verdict on his cross-country course, which unusually ran in an anti-clockwise direction. ‘Burghley is not a stepping stone to Badminton,’ he added. ‘Burghley is Burghley.’ ‘The biggest four-star course we’ve seen for a long time,’ was the opinion of the riders.

Although approximately half the horses jumped clear, only seven finished inside the time. Faults were spread around the course. The first stumbling block was a narrow house very easy to miss as riders tried to regather their reins after the enormous drop at the Leaf Pit, only four strides after a big fence. ‘Omigod!’ exclaimed course-walkers, viewing the cliff-like drop from the take-off side. Mary King, British team member for the forthcoming European Championships, retired Cashel Bay here.




The Leaf Pit landing can't be seen 6 to 12 feet below the take off.
The drop has been there for forty years, but the fences at the bottom are new.


More horses ran out at Discovery Valley, when they first jumped downhill over a big brush, then jumped at an angle across a ditch to a skinny fence one stride later. Hannah Bate and James Robinson, on Valdemar and Comanche, both retired after a stop at this complex. The rails and ditch at the Invesco Options claimed more victims. Australian Sammi McLeod fell off when Enchanted stopped, then retired, as did Jakarta and Julia Crowson after two refusals. Kiama and Louisa Lockwood were eliminated at the huge narrow Double Hedge.

Trouble occurred at the Land Rover Trout Hatchery where, after jumping into water over a brush sited in a new position, the horses bounced over a large hedge. Patris Filius, who is out of a gypsy mare, had lain in joint seventh place, but his bid to become the first 15.1 skewbald to win Burghley ended when he dropped Olivia Haddow in the water. Then horses entered the water again to jump a roll-top fence on steep rising ground, where Neil Fox and Young Thomas retired.

At the Goodyear Waterloo Rails, there was a significant drop after the rails onto steeply undulating ground, followed by a choice of skinny fences made out of tractor tyres. Carol Moore clung on tightly around Don Giovanni’s neck after he ducked out at the second element, and finally fell off beside the ambulance, which she fortunately didn’t need. Sarah Cohen and The Wexford Lady also retired at this fence, while Irishman Niall Griffiths and Lorgaine were eliminated. The Rolex Corners, with only two strides to the second corner at an angle, claimed more victims.

The Dairy Mound had a familiar oxer followed by a bending four strides to a cunningly placed log, which caught some horses and riders out. Phoebe Buckley and Polly Taylor’s 15hh grey mare Little Tiger were eliminated at the narrow Egg Basket and Sara Mittleider and El Primero, from the USA, retired at the Cottesmore Leap, a Burghley classic with a vast brush on the far side of a big ditch. The White Rails, described by Mark Phillips as a rider-frightener, ended the hopes of Australian Matt Ryan, who had lain tenth overnight on Bonza Katoomba.




Sam Griffiths and Connigar Bay at the White Rails.


William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed at the Land Rover Splash.


There were no causalities at the Land Rover Splash, this year with Mark Phillips’ formidable Grey Lag Goose nesting just after the exit from the water, but four riders fell off at Coutts Curve, jumping large, narrow mushrooms at an angle on a downhill slope. They included Oliver Townend, another British team member for the European Championships, who retired after falling off Waterbeck Basil, and later met a similar fate at the Rolex Corners with Saxon Cross. Kristen Bond from the USA fell off Fleece-works Blackout here, as did Vicki Brake with Looks Like Fun and Clea Phillips with Lead The Way.




Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley at Coutts Curve.


The Land Rover Arena, of flower-filled vehicles, was the last fence of the course to claim casualties. Nick Turner fell off Some Day Soon and the final starter, Andrew Nicholson’s Silbury Hill retired. However, unlike this year’s Badminton, every horse came back safely.

At the start of the day, New Zealand’s Caroline Powell with the grey Lenamore, Britain’s Polly Stockton with Tom Quigley, and Australia’s Andrew Hoy with Master Monarch had all been in contention, while William Fox-Pitt’s other ride, his 2005 winner Ballincoola, lay in joint seventh place. He shared this with Lucy Wiegersma and the chestnut Shaabrak as well as Olivia Haddow and Patris Filius.

Nullabor collected 10 time faults, dropping to seventh place overnight, so the lead passed to Lord Killinghurst, who jumped awkwardly into the Trout Hatchery but was clear, one of only seven horses to have no time penalties. However William Fox-Pitt picked up 0.4 time faults on both his horses, so occupied second place on Parkmore Ed and fifth spot on Ballincoola. Dividing them were Tom Quigley and Master Monarch, both clear across country. Shaabrak, also clear, lay one place in front of Nullabor, however Lenamore dropped well down the order after a stop and time faults.

In the showjumping, the final fence, a set of blue planks with the Land Rover logo, proved to be a bogey. Horses to hit it included Ballincoola, jumping out of order, so William’s two horses had identical scores in showjumping, being divided only by their dressage scores, and Ballincoola hung onto fifth place. Nullabor hit the combination as well as the planks, leaving him in sixth place, while Shaabrak, who had lain sixth after picking up 0.8 time faults across country, knocked down three fences to drop to seventh place.

As the tension mounted in the closing stages, Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch hit the bogey fence, but they jumped clear until that point to finish third. Polly Stockton, had risen from fifth to third place overnight, only to suffer the anxiety of having Tom Quigley held for re-inspection on Sunday morning before the vets eventually passed him, to sighs of relief from the crowd. He hit two fences before leaving the planks standing, so a jubilant Polly finally won second place.

Then William and Parkmore Ed hit the final planks to make William wonder if he had lost, until eight faults in the last round of the competition lowered Lord Killinghurst and Andrew Nicholson to fourth place.

‘The way Parkmore Ed just improved and thoroughly enjoyed himself out there was really exciting,’ said William Fox-Pitt. ‘But we had problems at the half-coffin. I jumped it well once, but Ed definitely saw a dragon in the ditch. He stopped to look on top of the bank, but jumped off pretty smartly. Today he came in too deep for the planks, but he’s a good jumper who wants to jump a clear round. He’s got some Irish Draught blood and a fantastic brain. He’s sneaked ahead in the rankings in my stable. He and Ballincoola are qualified for next year, but Tamarillo and Idalgo need to get their qualifications. I haven’t had him back long and I’m very grateful to Philip Adkins.’

‘Ed needs to be partly in British ownership to qualify for the Olympics,’ said Philip Adkins. ‘I’ll support William and Ed in a Beijing bid.’

‘I had a great ride across country.’ said Polly Stockton. ‘There were lots of groans before the last showjumping fence. I was praying it would stay up and it did. Tom Quigley is by Edmund Burke, the sire of Supreme Rock, but I didn’t choose him. His owner, Mrs Anne Henson, found him, so he just turned up in the yard. We didn’t think he had a problem before the vetinary inspection, but he doesn’t trot brilliantly.’

‘Master Monarch lost stability in all his limbs three or four days before Badminton,’ said Andrew Hoy. ‘He’s been put on anti-inflammatories and made a remarkable recovery. I believed I’d never ride him in another competition, but he’s a real fighter and I’m thrilled with him. I had to do nothing to prepare him for the final inspection. But I don’t have a plan for him as he makes day-by-day progress.’

Lord Killinghurst had bounded along with enthusiasm in the initial vetinary inspection. ‘He knows where he is,’ commented the crowd. ‘He remembers this place,’ said Andrew Nicholson. ‘He knows where the stables are and wants to head home. He tried to pull up at the bottom of the Leaf Pit, and kept trying to stop until the Waterloo Rails, then off he went again.’

Harry Meade’s ride Midnight Dazzler lay 45th after dressage, but was the only horse to go clear in both show jumping and cross-country, which raised him to 8th spot. Best of the French contingent was Rodolphe Scherer on the Irish-bred chestnut Fairfax, who, at the age of 17, had four time faults across country and eight show jumping faults to finish ninth. The only other show jumping clear was Bruce Davison from the USA with his grey home-bred mare Jam, who had time faults in an otherwise clear cross-country round, and rose from 42nd after dressage to 10th place.




Bruce Davidson and Jam.


Zara Phillips was saving Toytown for the European championships, but everyone took a great interest on her appearance on the ten-year-old chestnut Ardfield Magic Star. The pair lay 24th after dressage, then picked up cross country time faults and 16 showjumping faults to improve by one place.

The prize giving was preceded by an entertaining parade of the Belvoir hounds, with hounds jumping out of the ring to find new friends and the whip’s horse putting on a wonderful bucking bronco act. Finally there was a flypast of Spitfires.

Photos by courtesy of Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.


RESULTS. –

1. Parkmore Ed & William Fox-Pitt, (GBR) Dressage, 41.4; Cross-country, 0.4 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 4.
Total 45.8 penalties.

2. Tom Quigley & Polly Stockton, (GBR) Dressage, 42.8; Cross-country, 0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 4.
Total 46.8 penalties.

3. Master Monarch & Andrew Hoy, (AUS) Dressage, 43.2; Cross-country, 0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 4.
Total 47.2 penalties.

4. Lord Killinghurst & Andrew Nicholson, (NZL) Dressage, 39.6; Cross-country, 0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 8.
Total 47.6 penalties.

5. Ballincoola & William Fox-Pitt, (GBR) Dressage, 44.8; Cross-country, 0.4 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 4.
Total 49.2 penalties.

6. Nullabor & Clayton Fredericks, (AUS) Dressage, 39.0; Cross-country, 10 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 8.
Total 57.0 penalties.

7. Shaabrak & Lucy Wiegersma, (GBR) Dressage, 44.8; Cross-country, 0.8 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 12.
Total 57.6 penalties.

8. Midnight Dazzler & Harry Meade, (GBR) Dressage, 59.8; Cross-country, 0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 0.
Total 59.8 penalties.

9. Fairfax & Rodolphe Scherer, (FRA) Dressage, 52.0; Cross-country, 4.0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 8.
Total 64.0 penalties.

10. Jam & Bruce Davison, (USA) Dressage, 59.0; Cross-country, 7.6 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 0.
Total 66.6 penalties.

11=. Connigar Bay & Sam Griffiths, (AUS) Dressage, 56.8; Cross-country, 2.8 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 8.
Total 67.6 penalties.

11=. Paris & Piggy French, (GBR) Dressage, 47.2; Cross-country, 4.4 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 16.
Total 67.6 penalties.

13. Twinkle Bee & Anna Warnecke, (GER) Dressage, 55.0; Cross-country, 4.8 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 8.
Total 67.8 penalties.

14. Two o Two & Antoinette McKeowen, (GBR) Dressage, 57.8; Cross-country, 0 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 16.
Total 73.8 penalties.

15. Opposition Buzz & Nicola Wilson, (GBR) Dressage, 59.6; Cross-country, 10.4 time, 0 jumping; Show Jumping, 4.
Total 74.0 penalties.



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Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.


Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.


Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.
Burghley Horse Trials 2007, won by William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed from Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley in second place and Andrew Hoy and Master Monarch third, with Andrew Nicholson and Lord Killinghurst in fourth place.