Doel lays down the gauntlet

David was thrilled with his test, which was fluent, mistake-free and earned solid percentages across the board from the ground jury, Andrew Bennie (NZL), Valerie Pride (USA) and Christina Klingspor (SWE).

“That’s the best he’s ever gone in the ring, he was really rideable, really settled and he nailed everything,” said David, who was runner-up here two years ago with Gillian Jonas and Mary Fox’s 14-year-old gelding.

“He’s not built to do dressage, but he knows all the movements and it’s just a case of getting him to settle in the ring. I spent a long time this morning loose lunging him to get rid of the bucks and the excitement without overworking his body, which can make him cranky. I was thrilled with how he felt.”

The duo has a phenomenal cross-country record at five-star level, finishing clear and inside the optimum time on six occasions — a feat David will be hoping to replicate on Saturday.

“Derek [Di Grazia, course-designer] has built a really interesting track,” he continued. “It’s quite twisty to start with a few decent corners to turn in to. We’ll certainly need our wits about us.”

Joseph Murphy (IRL) was delighted his test on the striking 10-year-old, Belline Fighting Spirit, which left him in second place on a score of 30.9.

“The dressage certainly wouldn’t be his strongest phase, but he’s a beautiful horse and I had a very solid system in place today to help him cope with the atmosphere,” said Joseph, who explained that he has spent time training with German eventing maestro Michael Jung.

“I’ve seen Michael’s system and how he trains his horses to cope with different environments, and it’s given me confidence and a plan.”

Of Saturday’s cross-country Joseph added: “Every time you turn up at Burghley, it feels bigger than ever. It challenges you to ride more forward, be braver and trust your horse. That’s the feeling I got when I walked it for the first time yesterday. The whole week here is all about learning, but I’m not just here to make up the numbers either.”

Grace Taylor (USA) and Game Changer currently occupy third spot on a score of 32.4.

“There were a few mistakes, but he was a good boy,” said Grace, who is based at eventing Mecca, her father Nigel’s Aston-le-Walls, and for whom this is a second Burghley start.

First into the arena this morning, Harry Meade (GBR), slots into fourth place at this stage with the first of his three rides, Et Hop Du Matz (32.7), while Austin O’Connor (IRL) and Sixmilewater and first-timer Aimee Penny (GBR) lie fifth and sixth respectively.

This afternoon’s dressage resumes at 2pm when Emma Hyslop-Webb (GBR) and Jeweetwel will be first in the arena.

Every moment of the action from Defender Burghley 2025 will be shown live on Burghley TV: https://burghley-horse.co.uk/b...