In blustery conditions the 49th edition of Burghley Horse Trials 2009 attracted a truly

encouraging entry: eighty of the world’s best horses and riders, representing twelve

nations from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and North America, all challenging for

the Autumn classic of Eventing.

After the opening Dressage phase Britain’s Oliver Townend on Carousel Quest led the way,

but with just twelve penalties separating the top 25, the competition was wide open as 77

contenders prepared for the crucial Cross Country phase - Captain Mark Phillips’s shorter

but no less demanding 2009 track including seven significant new challenges with the

Land Rover Trout Hatchery complex occupying center stage.

Of the 52 partnerships that completed the 6020m course, just five were to finish either

inside or exactly on the optimum time of 10’34’’.

Despite incurring three point two time penalties, Oliver Townend narrowly retained the lead but with just one show jumping fence in hand over Australia’s Sam Griffiths on Happy Times and only two in hand over New Zealand’s Caroline Powell on Lenamore and America’s Phillip Dutton on Truluck.

So the scene was set for the decisive Show Jumping phase with Oliver Townend knowing

that victory would not only enhance his position in the season long FEI HSBC Classic Series

but also earn him a tilt next season at the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam Bonus.

98 mins.