Tom Jackson produced the best result of his career in finishing runner-up on his debut at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, riding Capels Hollow Drift. Lying fourth overnight on the grey 11-year-old after adding just 3.6 time-faults across country, Tom jumped a copybook clear this afternoon.
When the two ahead of him, Tim Price (Vitali) and Jonelle Price (Classic Moet) knocked down three and two apiece, Tom moved into second. The leader Piggy March (Vanir Kamira) had two fences in hand and used up one of her lives to land the top prize.
“That horse is just class,” said Tom of Patricia Davenport, Millie Simmie and Sarah Webb’s gelding. “To go round the cross-country like he did yesterday, and then go into the arena and jump like he did today – he makes my job so easy.
“He has that capability and he always wants to do the right thing.”
Capels Hollow Drift has long showed his potential. He finished runner-up at the World Young Horse Championships as a seven-year-old, and was clear on his Badminton debut in the spring. Here, he produced a 28.9 dressage score to lie 13th, and climbed up the leaderboard with two strong jumping performances.
“I just had to keep it all in perspective,” said Tom after his showjumping round. “It is easy to get distracted by the fact that we were in a good position, but you must jump clear on the day to win.
“We dreamt of doing this well but to come here and do it is another thing. Pippa [Funnell] just said, ‘Concentrate on what you’re doing, ride like you normally do’. Hopefully I did that, and he jumped very well for me.”
Several horses did look to be a little fatigued after yesterday’s gruelling cross-country, but Capels Hollow Drift was not one of them. He was spring-heeled throughout his round, and after this Burghley Horse Trials result Tom Jackson is buzzing about the future for this relatively young campaigner.
“He’s class and what he showed me especially yesterday has got me excited,” said Tom. “This is a positive experience, and I am looking forward to next time.”
You might also be interested in:
Piggy March and Vanir Kamira win Burghley: ‘This horse deserves to have her name on a plaque on Winners’ Avenue’
‘He flew home’: Tom Jackson presses the leaders after a hold on the Burghley course, and another debutant shines
Super veteran mares, impressive debuts and high-profile faults: 14 must-reads about Burghley cross-country
Seven feeds a day and bawling like a baby: Piggy March’s groom Amy Phillips on looking after Vanir Kamira at Burghley
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