I think I’m fast running out of superlatives to sum up our incredible week at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with a truly remarkable horse!
The icing on the cake was Bug (Elite Syncopation) jumping a superb clear round in the showjumping. I simply could not be more proud of him and will forever have him held high on a pedestal for not only being a true survivor, but for helping me jump my first double clear at four-star level.
Massive congratulations also go to a top horseman and someone I’m lucky enough to call a good friend, Chris Burton who came third and fourth on his two fabulous Australian thoroughbreds. Chris has been a huge help and support to me over the last couple on years including the last couple of weeks while we’ve been based at his yard.
Out of the 12 double clears at Burghley this year, three of them came out of his stables and they are all munching grass out in his fields this morning, enjoying the sun on their backs.
We’ve experienced plenty of very happy moments which we’ll savour and will keep us very much inspired to continue working hard so we can taste more of the same in the future.
Nana
Nana and Bug’s Burghley experience
After Nana’s original Burghley hope, Miley (Absolut Opposition), suffered a slight setback, Bug (Elite Syncopation) stepped up to the plate to contest h is first four-star.
After arriving safely at the Lincolnshire event on Wednesday, Bug flew through the first trot-up.
Nana and Bug then had a day off from competing as they weren’t due to do their dressage until Friday. Nana filled her time having a flatwork lesson with Yogi Breisner and then they did some arena familiarisation in the evening to help settle Bug into the surroundings in which he would do his dressage test.
Bug’s dressage was very pleasing, and he scored a solid mark of 53.
Cross-country day dawned on Saturday and Nana was thrilled that Bug cruised around the influential course clear, picking up a few time-faults.