A sweet result for Toblerone
Not many first-timers can say they have been greeted at the cross-country finish of their first Defender Burghley by two former champions, but this is exactly what happened to Nadja Minder (SUI).
She enjoyed a superb clear jumping round on Toblerone under the watchful eyes of Swiss team trainer, Andrew Nicholson, and Piggy March, with whom she has been based for the last two weeks.
“Andrew and Piggy have both been a huge support and help to me over the past few weeks,” admitted Nadja, who finished with 21.2 time penalties.
She also revealed that Defender Burghley wasn’t even on her radar earlier this season.
“I had in my mind that I would prepare for Badminton next year, but Andrew said, no no, you should go to Burghley. He really believed in me.”
Nadja also credited her mother for her decision to come here.
“My mum made me watch Burghley TV last year and told me that this is the event I should be aiming for,” she revealed.
Of her round, Nadja added: “Everything went to plan; I wasn’t even that nervous. I probably could have gone a bit faster as he had plenty of petrol left in the tank.”
The pair head into today’s final showjumping phase in 22nd place.