Caroline Powell showjumped clear this afternoon to win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on the Mackinnons’ Lenamore.
It was a hugely popular victory for this 17-year-old grey, who has been so consistent at four-star level, and for Caroline, New Zealand’s first winner since Blyth Tait in 2001 — as well as an early wedding present for owner Lexi Mackinnon, who produced Lenamore and next Saturday marries Henry Jackson, who does some field mastering for the Warwickshire.
“When we arrived on Wednesday I said to Lexi that I hadn’t got her a wedding present yet, and she said, ‘Oh you can win Burghley’ so now I don’t have to get her a wedding present,” joked Caroline after her win.
Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest — bidding to become the first pair to win the event twice in a row — lowered both the orange and green parallel (fence 6) and the second part of the double (fence 7) to drop from second to fourth.
Meanwhile William Fox-Pitt moved up to second by adding just one time-fault on Seacookie. This single fault and Oliver’s penalties gave Caroline a fence in hand as she entered the arena, but Lenamore never looked like hitting anything.
“It was nice to know we had a bit of breathing room, but I was equally determined not to use it,” said Caroline.
William said: “Seacookie is a brilliant horse and hopefully he’ll have his day. To be in second place to Caroline and the amazing Lenamore is an honour.”
Clayton Fredericks showjumped clear on Be My Guest II, who he has only been riding since June, to move up from sixth overnight to third.
“She’s a very good jumper, but she’s extremely bold and likes to charge down to a fence, which from a rider’s point of view is difficult — you think you’re on a good stride, but the stride gets closer and closer and suddenly you are underneath the fence,” said Clayton. “I have to use my skill to keep her away from the front of the fence — which has been a combination of bitting [she is in a W snaffle] and leaning well back!”
Mary King’s single fence down on Apache Sauce moved her up a place to fifth, while William Fox-Pitt rose from eighth to sixth with a clear on his second ride, Macchiato.
Don’t forget to buy H&H next week (9 September) for a full 10-page report from Burghley, including comment from cross-country course-designer Mark Phillips.
All H&H’s online Burghley coverage
FINAL RESULTS
1.Caroline Powell on Lenamore (NZL) 38.7
2.William Fox-Pitt on Seacookie (GB) 42.9
3.Clayton Fredericks on Be My Guest II (AUS) 45.8
4.Oliver Townend on Carousel Quest (GB) 47.6
5.Mary King on Apache Sauce (GB) 48.8
6.William Fox-Pitt on Macchiato (GB) 48.8
7.Mary King on Kings Temptress (GB) 49.3
8.Clea Phillipps on Lead The Way (GB) 49.9
9.Anna Warnecke on Twinkle Bee (GER) 51.5
10.Francis Whittingon on Sir Percival (GB) 52.3
