Title contender not presented at Burghley Horse Trials trot-up

Jock Paget’s ride Clifton Lush, sitting second overnight, was not presented at the final horse inspection at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this morning.

The non-appearance of Frances Stead and Lucy Allison’s Clifton Lush (pictured on the cross-country yesterday) means the New Zealander will be relying solely on overnight leader Clifton Promise, owned by Frances, to lift the trophy. Promise has a fence in hand over last year’s winner Avebury, now lying second with Andrew Nicholson.

Paul Ridgeon’s Armada, ridden by Oliver Townend and 27th after cross-country, was also not presented, while Kerry Varley withdrew her own Bluestone Luke (43rd) too.

France’s bad luck continued when Stanislas de Zuchowicz’s ride Quirinal De La Bastide (15th) was sent to the holding box. Stanlislas then decided to withdraw.

Tom Crisp’s ride Liberal, owned by Clare and David Comey and 28th after cross-country, was sent to the holding box and eliminated when re-presented.

Two other horses, Clare Lewis’s Sidnificant (30th) and Kevin McNab’s Clifton Pinot (16th, co-owned by rider with Frances Stead), were held but passed when re-presented.

Dave Burton, groom to H&H blogger Alex Postolowsky’s ride Islanmore Ginger, won the grooms’ prize, which is awarded to the person judged to have best cared for their charge throughout the competition.

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.