Saturday first timer successes

“She was keen and strong, and tried her heart out. I’m chuffed to bits with her,” said Gaspard. “She saved my bacon at the Rolex corner [where the pair had an awkward stride] and kept giving and galloping right to the end. Previously [on other major occasions] I’ve been quite nervous, but I came here much more relaxed. I just wanted to show everyone what she’s capable of.”

Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist were also clear but with 8.4 time penalties, dropping two places to overnight seventh. “He answered every question I asked of him. When I walked the course I was thinking to myself how on earth am I going to get through those finish flags. I knew I’d have to fight all the way round, but we’ve been together for nine years, so we know each other inside out. He’s 13 now and gets better every year. I just thank my lucky stars that I’ve got a horse like him,” said Monica.

Continuing the multi-nation theme, Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) and Absolut Gold HDC's 8.8 time penalties was good enough to keep the pair in ninth while Felix Vogg (SUI) and Cartania picked up 12 penalties but, given the faults incurred by others around the course, moved up one place from 14th to 13^th. Felix said, “She was great. I made a couple of silly little mistakes and I probably didn’t help her out as much as I should have done, but I’m probably a bit too much of a perfectionist.”

Representing the United States, Cosby Green and Copper Beach climbed an impressive 10 places to overnight 16^th with 12.8 to add to her first-phase score. “It all went exactly to plan and he’s finished with a twinkle in his eye,” she said of the 18-year-old Copper Beach. Ryuzo Kitajima (JPN) and Feroza Nieuwmoed's ascent was even more impressive – up from 32^nd to 17^th.

The highest placed British first timer is Max Warburton riding Deerpairc Revelry, however 22 time penalties dropped the pair six places to 21^st. A round two seconds faster meant Nadja Minder (SUI) and Toblerone held their 22^nd place.

Ireland's Ian Cassells was unlucky to take a pin at Discovery Valley (5a), but even with the subsequent 11 penalties and 10 time faults Master Point still rose from 30^th after dressage to 23^rd ahead of tomorrow's showjumping. But the biggest first time climb came from Jesse Campbell (NZL) and Cooley Lafitte who rose 37 places to 24^th with a clear and 15.2 time to add. Jesse has had a horrendous year, losing his wife Georgie in an fall while competing earlier in the season, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when he blew a kiss to the sky after crossing the finish line.

Sophia Hill (AUS) was deeply frustrated to break the pin at the first element of Defender Valley (5a), incurring 11 penalties. With 8.4 time to add she still climbed 25 places to 25^th. “He was really fresh and just didn't come back to me enough at that combination. His need for speed caught us out. Apart from that he was a true Burghley horse, looking for the jumps, so I can't be too disappointed,” said Sophia.

Andrew McConnon (USA) was delighted with his clear round on Wakita 54, despite incurring 19.6 penalties. This resulted in a 28-place rise from his dressage position up to 29^th after which he commented: “Riding round Burghley has been a goal of mine ever since I first came here with William [Fox-Pitt]. She’s a really good mare and I knew that so long as I supported her and guided her she’d come home, but to put in a round like that was incredible.”

Isabella Innes Ker (GBR) was even steadier but over the moon on what is her 30^th birthday. She has moved up to 30^th from 53^rd. “He’s my horse of a lifetime — the best cross-country horse I’ve ever had and I was just relieved to do him justice,” she said. “He didn’t feel like he tired at all. Everyone said that when you come back down Winners’ Avenue you should let them cruise and get their breath back, but I thought at that point, ‘wow, he’s still full of running’. It's the best birthday present ever.”

Mia Farley (USA) and Phelps picked up 20 jumping penalties at the Rolex Corners (16b), as well as time faults, but has still moved up a couple of places to 34^th, one place ahead of Rose Nesbitt and EG Michealangelo, clear but with close to 50 time penalties in a round slightly faster than that of Lizzie Baugh and B Exclusive in 37^th overnight. “I’m over the moon,” said Rose. “He’s not built for speed, but he just keeps going.”

The remaining first timers of 2024 — Declan Curran (IRL), Gireg Le Coz (FRA), Will Rawlin (GBR) and Nicole Mills (GBR) — did not complete.