The 4* Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials took place 4th-7th Sept 2014.
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2014
Michael Ryan and Ballylynch Adventure
pictured at the Cottesmore Leap – one of the biggest x/c fences in the world. Photo ©Pam Cunningham/EquusPix
Michael Ryan and Ballylynch Adventure who were lying last of the Irish contenders in 43rd position after dressage, had a fantastic cross country phase which rocketed him into 16th place. Although he gathered 25.2 time penalties on the course he was in fact in the top 14 for completion time. The optimum time of 11min 19sec for Mark Phillips’s track was not achieved, so not one combination came home without penalties. At the end of the cross country phase there were 10 Eliminations, and 6 retirements.
42 starters on SJ day produced only 7 clear rounds. Michael Ryan had 2 fences down, but kept the same placing as at the end of the cross country.
What a fantastic result for Michael Ryan’s first ride at the 4* event.
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials
Andrew Nicholson wins Burghley (for the 3rd time in a row). Photo © Pam Cunningham/EquusPix
Michael Ryan’s interview for Horse and Country TV
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury coming through The Lion Bridge Marina. Photo © Pam Cunningham/EquusPix
Andrew Nicholson made eventing history with his victory by becoming the first to win the four-star event three consecutive years with the same horse.
Andrew and Avebury claimed their first Burghley title in 2012. They were awarded the 2013 win after Jock Paget was stripped of the title due to doping charges. Jock has since been cleared and returned to competition this year. Jock Paget and Clifton Promise finished this year’s Burghley in 2nd place.
At the press conference, Andrew Nicholson talking about Avebury “I set off quite conservatively on him because I knew I had a bit in hand but he really prefers it if I ride him like I stole him.”
