Emily King swoops into second
Although Ros Canter (GBR) remains untouchable at the top of the leaderboard after this morning’s session of dressage on the second day of Defender Burghley Horse Trials, two different names have joined her in the top three.
First into the Main Arena this morning, Emily King (GBR) pulled off an exemplary test aboard Valmy Biats to sit in second on a score of 24.1, narrowing the gap between Ros — who scored 19.9 yesterday on Izilot DHI — and the rest of the field.
“He felt just the same in the arena as he did in the warm-up, which is exactly what you want to happen,” said Emily, who is aiming to emulate her mother, Mary, who won here on Star Appeal in 1996. “Valmy Biats knows what he’s doing now, but riding this new test [the FEI CCI5*L dressage test, C, which has not been used before] keeps more established horses guessing and not anticipating, which I found really useful.”
A flurry of tests in the mid-20s followed thereafter, including one for the three-time Defender Burghley winner, Oliver Townend (GBR), who opened his account with a sparkling ride aboard his Kentucky winner, Cooley Rosalent. The duo slotted into third place on a score of 24.4.
“She’s a 10-year-old and has had an exciting life so far — her last two runs have been at Maryland [last year] and Kentucky [in the spring], so she is getting to know the crowds and the atmosphere. You never quite know which way they’re going to go in those sorts of situations, but she did very, very well,” said Oliver.
French first-timer Gireg Le Coz scored 25.3 with Aisprit De La Loge to currently lie fourth.
“It was the best test we’ve done, so I’m very happy,” said Gireg.
The 2010 Defender Burghley winner Caroline Powell (NZL) set herself up for another tilt at the title with a super test aboard her Badminton winner, Greenacres Special Cavalier for a score of 25.4, which leaves her in fifth place currently.
The final session of dressage begins at 2pm when Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist will perform their test.