Bruised Bullimore Battles Her Way To The Top
2021 individual bronze European Championship medallists Sarah Bullimore (GBR) and Corouet edged into the lead by .1 of a penalty at the end of play at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today on a score of 22.5.
2017 and 2019 runners-up Piggy March (GBR) and Trevor Dickens’ Vanir Kamira sit a hair’s breadth behind them on 22.6. Both combinations posted personal bests at this level in the process.
Sarah admitted that the 15.1hh home-bred Corouet, who is not always the easiest and, by her own admission, has “little man syndrome and is quite a dominant character” looked after her today. She is nursing a very bruised and swollen knee as a result of being trodden on and studded after falling from another horse on Monday:
“He was amazing – he really listened and was on side today,” she said. “He thinks I’m a hindrance at the best of times but he was a little superstar today. He loves a crowd and wants people to look at him.”
Both Corouet, who is owned by Sarah, husband Brett and The Kew Jumping Syndicate, and his half brother, Reve Du Rouet with whom Sarah finished fourth here in both 2018 and 2019 are by Balou Du Rouet, with Corouet being out of Sarah’s 5* mare Lilly Corinne.
Piggy punched the air
with delight upon hearing her score for Vanir Kamira as she left the
dressage arena:
“She felt great and deserved a PB today,” said Piggy. I was hoping for something in the high 24s or low 25s and was a bit worried I was on the wrong side of the line with her when we started as she suddenly got very hot and sneezy, but she stayed with me and was very expressive. She can be a pain the backside at home and she takes up a lot of our time but she’s totally worth it – she’s a horse of a lifetime and I just hope and pray she finishes well here. We’ll be trying our hardest but she owes us nothing.”
Leaders at the lunch break, Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Billy Walk On now lie third on 26.2 with Zara Tindall (GBR) and Gleadhill House Stud’s Class Affair, last to go today, fourth on 28.4.
“I’m thrilled to have scored under 30,” admitted Zara. “He’s always had the potential – he’s just got quite a tricky brain but he was calmer than he’s ever been today. Carl Hester has been helping me and he’s just the best thing in the world!”
Tim Price and Vitali kick off tomorrow’s dressage action at 1000.