Lenamore proves Ever More

New Zealand World Equestrian rider Caroline Powell is just a smidgen behind the leader at the end of the dressage phase today (Saturday NZ time) at the Burghley Horse Trials in the United Kingdom.

The Scot-based rider and the lovely grey Lenamore – who was unavailable for NZ WEG selection – are just .4 of a penalty behind British leader Ruth Edge on Two Thyme.

Powell was quoted as saying it was perhaps the best test ever by the 17-year-old horse, on whom she placed fifth at Badminton and in the British Open at Gatcombe. Powell is looking forward to getting out on a cross country course she has most definitely admired.

The very in form Andrew Nicholson and Avebury are sitting in seventh slot on 45 penalties, with Annabel Wigley on Black Drum in 23rd equal position with 51.7 penalties, and Mark Todd and Major Milestone in 29th equal with 52.7 penalties.

Todd's return to Burghley after a 10-year break drew cheers from the crowds, and the legendary horseman said it didn't even feel like he had been away. He's only competed Major Milestone, a novice at this level, three times but feels he's well placed going into the cross country.

Nicholson and Armada in 34th on 54 penalties, and Dan Jocelyn 37th equal with 54.3 penalties on Special Advocate and 42nd spot on Special Attorney with 56.8 penalties. Bruce Haskell and Kiwi Smog are 40th with 56 penalties and Craig Nicolai on Just Ironic 63rd equal with 63.8 penalties.

But it is all too often the cross country phase is where combinations are made or lost, and with 20 penalties for a refusal, it won't take long for even those way down the field to make up places if it all goes wrong for others. Time is expected to be extremely tight over the Captain Mark Phillips designed course.
Last year's winner Oliver Townend (Great Britain) on Carousel Quest are very handy in third place, just 1.1 penalties off the leader, but he picking Kiwi Nicholson on Armada to be the ones to beat.

The trials run through until Monday (NZ time), with the winner pocketing 50,000 British pounds. The cross country phase of the event runs Saturday (UK time), with the showjumping on Sunday (UK time).