Avebury Trophy winner “looked a picture”
Ros Canter has been awarded the Avebury Trophy, which is presented to the rider who produces the best judged cross-country round at Defender Burghley, for the second year running.
Riding Lordships Graffalo, she was the only competitor to finish inside the optimum time.
The prize is given by Rosemary Barlow, owner of Avebury, the only horse to have won a record three successive times at Burghley, in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was ridden by Andrew Nicholson, himself renowned as one of the most accomplished cross-country riders of all time.
Former British team manager Yogi Breisner judged the award. “It was the cross-country performance of the day,” he said.
“I judge the prize on the skill and effectiveness of the rider, how the horse is coping and the overall picture. Ros looked a picture at every fence. It was poetry in motion.”
Yogi also commended Harry Meade, especially on his second ride, Cavalier Crystal, plus Alice Casburn, Ireland’s Austin O’Connor, New Zealanders Tim Price and Caroline Powell, and American first-timer Cassie Sanger.