Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo won their second consecutive Defender Burghley in the best possible way, with a superb clear showjumping round performed in the harmonious, foot-perfect style that is a joy to watch and has characterised their whole week.
They also rewrote eventing history: Archie and Michelle Saul’s 13-year-old Lordships Graffalo – “Walter” – is the first horse to win both Burghley and Badminton twice, and he is only the third horse to win back-to-back Burghleys, following Priceless (with Ginny Holgate, 1934-84) and Avebury (Andrew Nicholson, 2012-2013-2014).
“I really hope he will go down as a legend of our time and a legend of the sport, not only for the performances he gives, but his character as well. He is an unbelievable horse to have at home,” said Ros, who confirmed that she planned to return to Badminton with him next year.
“He absolutely thrives on these occasions. I could have dropped the reins and waved at the crowd for 15 minutes and he would just have thoroughly enjoyed himself. I don’t think there are many horses in the world that would do that.”
The runner-up, Austin O’Connor, achieving Ireland’s best Burghley result since Harry Freeman-Jackson won in 1963, also has a special horse in the Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue, but was quick to pay generous tribute to the winner.
“Being second to this lady [Ros] is as good as winning because this combination, as history will show, is the best there is,” said Austin, who was third behind Ros and Lordships Graffalo at Badminton in May.
“I am over the moon. To finish the year like this is unreal. My horse has been incredible. He is 16, but I think he thinks he’s six. He was mad fresh today and pulling my arms out, which is why we had a rail down, but it didn’t make any difference in the end.”
World number one Harry Meade completed an extraordinarily consistent run of CCI5* success and was third with a clear round on Charlotte and Peter Opperman’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Cavalier Crystal for the third consecutive year at Burghley.
“Cavalier Crystal’s record represents what five-star eventing is – in other words, it’s quite hard to do. She is a classic example, overlooked at the lower levels, but a gutsy little mare,” said Harry, who was also fourth on Annaghmore Valoner and ninth on Et Hop Du Matz.
New Zealander Tim Price slipped three places to sixth with two fences down on Vitali, behind Alice Casburn and Topspin, fifth, who were celebrating their third consecutive double clear at Burghley and best placing so far.
Frenchman Gaspard Maksud (Zaratoga, seventh), New Zealander Caroline Powell (High Time, eighth) and Laura Collett (Bling, 10th) rounded out an international top 10.
American rider Cassie Sanger, who is based with Ros Canter, has clearly benefited from her time with the Olympic gold medallist and reigning European champion: she finished 17th with a double clear and was best Burghley debutant.
Australia’s sole entrant this year, Sammi Birch and Finduss PFB, were unfortunately eliminated in Saturday’s cross country phase.
Martyn Johnson, director of Defender Burghley, summed up a happy weekend.
“We had a fantastic field, some great five-star horses and great sport. It was a classic Burghley and I think where most people think five-star eventing should be.”
Full results can be found here.
Source: Defender Burghley Horse Trials press release
