Former winner swoops into the lead

Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs lit up the dressage arena in the closing stages of the first day of dressage at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials to take the lead on a score of 24.3.

Oliver, who won the Defender Burghley title in 2009 on Carousel Quest and 2017 on Ballaghmor Class, was thrilled with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s grey gelding, who has previous form at Burghley having finished third here in 2018 with his former rider, Andrew Nicholson.

“I thought he was exceptional in there and he’s still improving at the age of 15,” said Oliver. “Full credit must go to Andrew who produced him, but I feel he’s still getting better and stronger with the system we have for him at home. He’s a very special horse to everyone involved with him and I couldn’t be happier with him today.”

Leaders at the lunchbreak, Ros Canter and Pencos Crown Jewel now lie second on 26.9 with Emily King and Valmy Biats third on 30.

“Jasmine’s test was absolutely what I’d hoped for given her way of going,” said Ros. “Our first halt was decidedly dodgy and her legs went in all directions, but she was fantastic thereafter.”

Emily was equally happy with Valmy Biat’s performance.

“He’s learnt a huge amount this year and he did some of the best work he’s ever done today,” she commented. “We missed our first change which was frustrating, but I was delighted with his overall way of going.”

Tom McEwen and Luna Mist now lie fourth on 30.5 with Oliver Townend and the second of his three rides, Tregilder, fifth on the same score.

The penultimate combination of the day, Jennie Saville (USA) and FE Lifestyle, lie sixth on 31.1.

“I’m really happy,” said Jennie. “I worked for Philip Dutton for five years and he deserves a shout out because he has helped me a lot. I’ll take that score and the mistakes we made – we can never normally pull off a change in the arena and today we managed to get one!”

Richard Skelt and Credo III kick off tomorrow’s dressage action at 9.45am.

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