2011 Equestrian: Burghley Horse Trials

In 1971, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, aged 21, took the

individual title here at Burghley. This year, she is back to celebrate

the 50th anniversary of the trials and to present the trophy to the

winner of this year's most prestigious and longest running

four-star challenge. It is the Burghley Horse Trials, the pinnacle

This place has been the setting for films, television series, adverts

and photo-shoot. But this weekend, over 100,000 people will come

through the gates of the park to watch the world's best event riders.

We have so much to look forward to this afternoon. Plus, Burghley

celebrates its 50th anniversary and Mary King celebrate her 50th, too.

We look back with her over her amazing career. With just under a

year to go, we bring you the professional's view of the Olympic

Park of Greenwich, home to the eventing for the London 2012

Olympics. It and we asked some of the top riders to give their

perspective of the major questions on the cross-country course and all

new water feature, designed by Captain Mark Phillips. And we will

show you the highlights of all three phases, all the Riders

desperate to catch the eye of their Olympic selectors. Eventing is an

incredibly hard sport to predict because so much can go wrong. A

run-out on the cross country or a mistake in the dressage. Here are

some of the names you might want to look out for. William Fox-Pitt has

won the title here five times. He is ranked number one in the world

and is a stalwart of the British team. Ranked number two is Mary

King, who celebrates her 50th birthday this year. She was first

and second in Kentucky and luckily, and injured after a horrible fall

last weekend. The New Zealand All Blacks are out in force. Mark came

back when he won Badminton in the spring. Blyth Tait is also back,

riding at Burghley since -- for the first time since 2004. Nicholson

has won twice. He will sit tight -- type whatever is horse is doing.

Caroline Powell won here last year. She is back to defend her title at

the age of 18. Newly married to Mike Tindall, who was away at the

World Cup, Zara Phillips is back busy building a new relationship

with A high Kingdom. The leading Australian challenger is Sam

Griffiths. He will be first out onto the cross-country course on

Happy Times. Gorgeous conditions here for the first day of

competition. The gates opened at 7:30am her and the eventing

aficionados have made sure everybody can watch the dressage,

because this is what needs control and precision. You cannot win the

competition here, but you can lose it, because without precision, you

can lose points. Let's round-up the dressage action. With the recent

European championship success, this event is clearly going -- growing

in popularity. This, the first of two rides, set the early score of

Fox-Pitt raised the bar with a polished performance. Ireland's

Elizabeth is one of the first third time is at Burghley. A score of

33.3, putting them just three points behind wallet -- William

Fox-Pitt. A lovely horse and he gave me his best work. You cannot

always expect that so there was a great feeling. To be ahead on day

one is very exciting at this stage. Despite the attraction of

Burghley's 400 shops, the Arena was the place to be on day two, which

began with an impressive Test from Germany. A great start for this

partnership, looking to achieve the Olympic qualification. Their score

has taken them to the top of the table, at 39.3. Zara Phillips

seemed satisfied. Not so, her father, clearly concerned with the

position of her hat! Andrew Nicholson produced an even better

test on his horse. Both of his rides are now in the top five.

Despite an error flagged up by the judges, the defending champions,

Caroline Powell and Lenamore, finished only three points off the

lead. And Mary King, aged Burghley favourite, up the ante with at

King's Temptress. Fewer than 10 points were separating the top 20.

I am really happy. My horse had three a good paces and transitions,

so we have done a good job. I am happy I am in first place. It is a

beautiful horse and he has a very good Sash competition. So, she

leads on Free Easy NRW. And Mary King on King's Temptress. Very good

scores for Andrew Nicholson on both of his horses. Zara Phillips will

be thrilled with high Kingdom. At the age of 50, Mary King has

achieved pretty much everything. She has represented Great Britain

five times at the Olympic Games and won medals at the European Eventing

Championships. She has won Badminton and Burghley. And she has

finished second in Kentucky. This I first got interested in horses

when I was a very young girl. I have always, ever since I can first

remember, been mad about them. I am one of these pony-Bad girls,

desperate to have one of my own! But I was in a situation where it

was not possible to have my own. As a family, we lived in a rented

cottage. It was in the village of Salcombe Regis, in Devon. My father

had been sent out of the Royal Navy because he became an invalid. I

used to go and visit the vicar's house whenever I had spare time. If

mum wondered where I was, I was normally in the field with them. I

persuaded the vicar if I could possibly ride his horses. Her as I

grew older, I became a member of the local pony club. I went off and

rode bicycles, cycling around, looking for ponies in fields,

finding out who owned them and whether I could ride him. I must

have been a pest! I left school as soon as I could and went and worked

for a lady called Sheila Willcox, who had been a top event rider in

had. That was the first successful female rider in the sport. Looking

back, I would not be where I am now and have got to the heights that I

have got to without having spent that time in her yard. It was a

fantastic experience. Jolly hard work at the time! After my

travelling, I came back to Salcombe Regis and said, I really want to be

an event rider. My parents said, how? We have got no money and no

land. I had a bit of money put away from the Pony I had sold. Things

then went my way. This yard was a disused farm yard. There were some

pigs in the bar but the rest was fairly disused and was full of

brambles and nettles. I approached the Farah and asked if I could make

a couple of the cowsheds into stables and rent them from him. --

I approached the farmer. Eventually, it came up for sale, so I made a

huge decision to buy it to fund all of that. I used to do a butcher's

delivery round. I did that twice a week for three ideas. I used to

clean the campsite toilet seat and had a couple of gardening jobs in

Sidmouth. I used to go fruit- picking at the fruit farm. That was

during the fruit-picking season. I did not mind. I was paid and that

helped me by the set of shoes for the waltzes and the entry fee, and

that sort of thing. I ended up riding in the dark sometimes! My

first ever of horse took me to my Badminton horse trials in 1985. I

was offered a good price for him when he was at intermediate level.

I then said to the people, no, I would rather be famous and rich. I

have known these people still to this day and they tease me about

that comment. But it was good. He is the horse that got me to

Badminton and that is where my career went on from. Mary King is

riding two horses here. Let's have a look at the cross country course.

They have got 11 and a half minutes to jump pit. It is big and has a

slight retro feel in a honour of the 50th anniversary. By that, I

mean Captain Mark Phillips has gone for lots of timber, high fences and

spreads, and then there is more to, as the riders reach the Land Rover

drought hatchery. And here, the course designer has gone for

something different. What does his daughter think of it? If this is

the first time he has done it. What do you think? You never know until

you get there. My horse is a good jumper and a good cross-country so

I hope he will answer all questions. With his friends, it has changed

from last year. More of an accuracy jumper in the water, but also

needing a good shot in so you can get across from one to the other in

one stride. Once you are in, I think you will be OK to come out.

But try and ignore the water a bit. Is your horse OK with water? Yes,

he has been good with water, so I think, ignore the water a bit and

concentrate on keeping a straight line and getting in. Then we come

out, turn right and go up the hill. And that is a hop over the Waterloo

logs at Number 12 and then onto the HSBC Holdings branch, where I met

William Fox-Pitt. The riders are always keep an eye on their watches

as they grow on a cross-country course. This is about halfway?

and you have a whole minute of galloping in a small area. The

riders are going to be aware of keeping their foot down and not

wasting any time. So you come sweeping round? Why is this

difficult? Well, you have got quite an easy house but it is on a mound

and then down to a very decent right-angled corner. The issue here

is, you never know how some will jump over it. You do not know how

your striding is going to work out on the landing side. Because you

have got these undulations to worry about? Yes. Some will act like it

is on the flat but some will prop a bit. What you are hoping for is a

nice for with four strides down to this corner. And at this level,

there was there no more should be seen the flags and seen that that

is a jump. They don't have time to see how a queued that angle is.

They just lock on an jumper it well. You have got another big effort

over there. Quite a tight turn. Quite tiring for the horse. What

riders will be hoping for is that this is all very smooth, so you

don't use up so much energy. Then it is a triple rail over a ditch

and down to fence the 17, before the Land Rover dairy farm. The

riders will be watching this guy, because Sam Griffiths of Australia

is the very first out on the course, and they want to see you jumping

through this well? This is a jump I am going to be really positive at.

We are a little further round than halfway so hopefully the horses

will be going well. I will try to get a positive jump up the bank.

What I am looking to do is jump up as far as they can, so when I get

on to the second part of the Bank, but horse does not have too much

work to do. I will be looking for another really positive jump up

here so I am not too for a away from the third element. For horse,

as he lands, he has to take off, and to do that, you need a very

strong horse. Then, you cannot go to sleep, because we have fence No.

19, which is on a related number of curved it strikes. You still need

to ride out over the last element. The biggest fence on the course is

fence No. 21. A couple of bedspreads after that and then the

final water. In a honour of Burghley's 50th anniversary, Mark

Phillips has built three new fences. the water and into the island. It

is quite difficult. Mackin to the water again to the last part which

is an offset -- which is offset. So quite a difficult combination.

in its own right is big. The last brick, the boaters on an ankle.

is very easy to run out at the Ind. -- the end. You need to be focused.

Then, Jubilee Leap and then fence 33, the last of 345 demanding

jumping efforts. That is what they have ahead of them. Let's see how

who has got a very good record here at Burghley. A horse that has got a

good record here and at Badminton. Fence four, the right hand over the

big drop. Much quicker than the red route but probably the riders will

choose that option. The optimal time, 11 minutes. It is longer than

normal. This is the direct route. He's got to sit up quickly and get

a good shot at that. Now, the older type fence. An elephant trap. It

should be a bit of a let-out for these horses because they are so

experienced at this stage. Now, Discovery Valley. Over a ditch,

bounce of the Bank, over the brush, coming back to an angled rail to

the ditch. Old fashioned coffin type. Sam going for a quick route.

They hit the rising ground for the Tate got so it will be interesting

to see how the horse copes. There should be one stride in there. That

ditch is on an angle so that can happen. Now, through the water the

first time with a narrow spread brush out, around the house and

back into what is a difficult test cascade. I thought this fall

struggle but he made it look easy. He got third to make years ago.

Then his first Championship in Kentucky. Unlucky in many respects

but learned from it and come back and very much challenging for

position. Relatively straightforward, the first part of

this one. This is the big problem. The horse is going to have to stand

off the water, but he didn't understand it, and chipped in an

extra stride. No, the man that won in 2009. He has two rides. He

a sequence of fences. The horses have been on a good gallop and they

are doing this big circle suddenly. That I recruit, the let - Madeline,

an incredibly tight corner and an amazing angle. Some of the horses

will do that on a curving five rather than a direct four. The long

route is very, very long. I don't think this horse will be going the

long route. He is on a score of 45.5. He is good on the clock. He

is just under what we anticipate the time should be at that stage of

the course. Now this undulating ground and that it beat corner. --

and that beat corner. The riders are concerned the circle might

distract the horses. A lot of jumping to do there. Good to see

the fence is road so well. That will give confidence to the rest of

the riders. He seems to be setting a good gallop. The whole course is

open and you can gallop. Big spreads, maximum dimensions. Two

strides, there, quite a sharp corner up, but the riders like this

new change. Now, Oliver Townend. They don't need to jump too far up

the bank. Now the rails to that angled ditch. That is safely away.

He seems to be gaining in confidence, the French bred. The

red route, it is a long way up the Derry round. The sequence of

bouncers, then a wake up to the top end of this course. Over 600 metres

of his early to rain. The long route is very, very long. Sam

Griffiths coming to the dairy mound with happy times. So important they

get a good stride because the horse has to keep the energy over the

double bound and then the angled fence. The two brochures. He gets

one stride. It is either a long one Attacking two Kim Hye-Ja corner,

giving the horse a lot of confidence. This is an enormous

fence! I have never seen a bigger fence on a course. They make it

look easy. Oliver Townend was third here. Unlucky happenings in

Kentucky last year. Can they cemented at Burghley? �50,000 first

prize... One of the tops has gone. It was a wooden one. Still seems

full of run as he gets to the end. It is a new fence. The horse pops

in quietly, slightly drags himself Oliver coming up to the Dairy

cattle are to mount. A nice balance. Pushers for the long one. Doesn't

quite get there. The horse catches his leg. And that is a retirement.

He has not had a good season so far. Now, a man in good form. How close

is he to that optimum time? 11 minutes 40 seconds. He is going to

be well in. He is 15 seconds still to get there. Such an impressive

fright. An impressively good horse, and sounded a good job. Being a

trailblazer on a new track like this is never easy, but sometimes

you don't have other people's problems to worry about. Well done.

Just missing out on that time. He is the one to catch. Now, the Kiwi.

50 years old this year but riding How did it right? As we expected it.

There are some massive fences, but we have got for scope, my horse,

and I ecstatic with the. The time is going to be tight, isn't it?

think so. I lost it in the middle of pace. He angled that brush. He

horse. He has won this twice. Now, around the corner. What will he do?

I was so impressed with the Leaf Pit. He took the look in. He holds

them together. A very sensible move. He made it look pretty

straightforward. Now the dressage leader. The man that has won the

title on five occasions. It is now Zealand-bred horse. What can he do

times in the corners. I would imagine he will probably put a

turning, bending line in. No one more experienced than and drew on a

cross country course. I am wrong. He takes a direct line. He makes it

look great. A man on fire. He won at heart Prix. He has been in

flying form. This man, William Fox- Pitt at Leaf Pit. He sits so tight.

He gets the balance to jump out over the narrow. You just never

know how young horses will job of this Leaf Pit. An uncomfortable

jump will distract them, so some will go for the alternative. An

effort at the top. But he'd like Oliver Townend got a good one for

lengthens his stride. He is very quickly around the corner. The time

is tight. They have got to achieve 570 metres per minute throughout

the course. With all of these undulations, big jumping tests,

that is going to be difficult to get. It will be interesting to see

whether the Leaf Pit has affected this horse. Now would be the time

to find out. Absolutely no problem. Super. So, a way he goes. We now

see Nicholson beginning to up the pace. It is an enormous fence.

William Fox-Pitt, now at the Maltings. He has achieved so much

international three-day events. The one he wants is the Olympic Games.

Michael Young, by winning that European title last week, that is

the one that William has got to beat if he is going to win the

Olympic gold. Could this be the He is a very good young horse.

Looking at this, this could be knocking at the door as well for

next year. Yes, and the crucial bit about that is getting close to the

favourites in the dressage. But let's watch the cross country now,

because that is where the action is. There's the great spires of the

Burghley house. Talking about the dressage, William was one of the

many senior riders who managed to have an error of course, so to get

39 with this horse is showing a lot of potential. And how easy was that

for him? Class riding from the world's number one. And we are back

to Nicholson. Now he comes to this new water. That was very impressive.

Positive riding. The big jump in the middle of the island there, we

have seen a couple of animals scramble over it but Avebury did

not touch a twig through that. Kiwi is in tremendous form. William

Fox-Pitt is over and he makes it look very comfortable, very easy.

But here now is Andrew Nicholson, flying for home. This man just one

a week ago have the most crushing fall of his life. He has got bumps

and bruises all over him but he comes in and it is the first inside

of triumph. He goes top of the leaderboard at 42.8. And now

William at the final water. Yes, he jumps well. The big fence on the

island. Very impressive. William has to be thrilled with his horse

because it has just grown in stature. Look at the concentration

on the horse's face. Now into the arena, these three hurdles. A lot

of the experts feel that there's a lot of galloping on this course and

the forces might get tired. But this horse has just nipped through

without losing any time. CLARE BALDING: You ride pretty well

with one hand, I would say! Show us what you have done. I was riding

with two! It was pretty black and bruised there. This was very

swollen. But it is pretty good now. How did he feel? Very good. I just

upped the pace because I wanted to do the first half a little behind

the clock, because every time I have had a run-out with him is when

he is doing things very easily. So I thought if I started a bit slow

and get faster and faster... But that was at nine minutes so maybe I

left it too late. COMMENTATOR: here is William Fox-

Pitt, coming home. That was not the best of shops for Williams. But

this is a round that might give us even more strength and depth or

stop -- not have the best of shots. CLARE BALDING: Let's have a look at

the leaderboard at this early stage. Let's hear from the leader. There's

some interesting moments out there? Compared to last week, it was a

piece of cake! Nothing to my moment at the Europeans but I am thrilled

with him. He started off green and jumped off belief pit and jumped

the skinny. What a horse! Very exciting for the future and for

this competition? Dressage was magic. Much better than I thought.

I thought I would have my work cut out when you are riding a

thoroughbred like that, you let him go. Even better running. If it is

all very well smiling, waving to the crowd and looking like you are

enjoying yourself, but the thing that keeps Mary King going is an

unbelievable decide to stay at the top of the sport. -- unbelievable

Obviously, it is riding, getting in that British team. That is

something that as a younger person I was dying to get good enough to

be selected to ride at a championship event. And that happen

to be first in 1991 when I went to the European Championships. At

actually won my first ever team gold medal but I did it in bad

style! Because I ended up falling in the water. That was at the end

of the cross country course. That was a very special stepping-stone

in my career. Times have moved on hugely within the sport since I

first began. It is a very different sport from those early days. It

used to be that long format, the three-day event. It is now a short

format so it is a different endurance test on back middled. The

dressage has got to a way higher standard than it used to be. We are

jumping higher courses now. The whole sport has become more and

more professional. And all the other riders have as well.

Everybody is improving all the time. So what was making sure I was

keeping up with the Times, not just carrying on in the same when I had

when I started, which may be was good enough at the beginning to win

events, but as time went on, I had to up my game to keep up with

everybody else. So, yes, even now, even at my ripe old age, I am still

having to train regularly. I go to my dressage trainers and show

jumping trainers. People say to me, do you still need to have lessons?

I say, gosh, I constantly need to have lessons to improve as a rider

and to encourage your horse to give big 50 this year but here she is on

Apache Sauce. A little bit of an angle there. Very, very slowly into

that fence. A little more forward now to the half. A couple of Wales

to the ditch. Just on the angle, just twisted over the brush fence.

Here is the great Mark Todd, one of the great riders who has won the

Burghley title on two occasions. We want to see if one can make it to

six in 2011. He had a disappointing dressage score of 56.5. She rattles

over that table-top, Mary King. Interesting to see whether Mary

takes the straight. Apache Sauce certainly has the experience of

that. Almost straight but just holds for the five and does not

rush the wolf. Gives him time to understand the question. -- does

not rush the horse. Here's Mark Todd. His first win back here in

1987. A beautiful exhibition of how we should be done. Away quickly.

The double Olympic champion, the Kiwi, Mark Todd. And now back to

Mary King and Apache Sauce. Just bounces up. Waste no energy. Still

galloping up that hill. Mark Todd is a tall man. He won Badminton and

then took out of action. A lot of power in the locker room at the

moment with the Olympics coming up, but this possibly one. Look at the

crowd. Burghley is as popular as ever, as he now comes to one of the

great offences that has been here ever since it started in 61. Now he

comes to the two brushes. Whoa! He's certainly attacks it but the

horse says, come on, let me go. Maybe not the right side of the

fence. Apache Sauce makes nothing of that. He does jump to the right

of that. You would not say this was Mark's typical horse, would you? It

is much bigger and rain here than he normally rides. But so far it is

coming up with all the answers. I would be fascinated to know what

the judges decide and whether you would be penalised for that last

jump. It is interesting that the control have let him go on because

they're obviously not convinced he went the wrong side, so they have

allowed him to continue. Now I have a halfway on the course, Mark Todd.

The final water now for Apache Sauce. It is interesting, that

fence on the island, because they jump up hill and then Lansdown Hill,

so the horses have do jump down hill a bit. -- may then it land

downhill. The determination of Mary King is an example to any young

event rider, and her skill level has gone up and up. Apache Sauce

has never been the easiest of dressage horses, but now completing

some good tests. Here's a man on the upgrade. Tom Mcewen it. He was

part of the Under 21 riders. He did not win the middle but he finished

4th individually on this course, Dry Old Party. -- on this horse,

Dry Old Party. Mary King has lost the Silk off higher at! She is

blind to that finish, though. -- she lost the Silcott off her hat.

Mark Todd has got such a great position and when he says go, the

horses normally do. A great lesson for youngsters to learn, the way

Mark picked there was a more up and rode it forward to the next job. --

picked the horse up. This 20-year- old, he has got a lot of help from

Rodney Powell. This is an ex- racehorse. A horse he picked up as

a result of his visit at another race. He is not letting this race

get to him. Also good there was that he reacted instinctively to

keep a horse straight. Still no decision on whether Mark went the

wrong side but he is at the last and he is going to have a great

time. He will just have to wait five seconds. He will only get two

time faults. But will he get more? I don't think he will. Now we have

buoyed Martin and Neville Bardos. - - Boyd Martin. This is an

Australian-turned-American. CLARE BALDING: Just talk me through

what happened at the hatchery? saw a good jump but he half jumped

over the second bit and I saw the red flag go down my right side, so

I thought, at least we have gone through the flag, so we kicked on.

I listen to hear, to see if I could hear anything over the commentary.

But it seemed OK. This was the last horse out. Clear over the role next

turn. Tom Mcewen is coming now to the Cottesmore Lead. Not the best.

A bit of an awkward jump but Tom Mcewen gives him a bit of a wake-up

call. This is Elizabeth Power. father is a great show jumper. Both

her mum and brother are Badminton riders. What a round Tom Mcewen has

given this horse. This is their man we are going to hear a lot more

about. His mum also did a lot of show jumping. The man has got some

went to provenance in Badminton on this very halls. -- on this very

horse. She has learned from the European Championships. She had a

fall at Badminton, quite a nasty one, but was left out of the Irish

team, but she has come here determined to show how good she is.

She is doing a good job. Sometimes in the past they have looked fast

and slightly Willie in cross- country, but she has really held it

together. She is keeping the horse balanced. Chipping in with two

strides. But riding very well. coming for home, it is the dry old

party of Tom McEwan, 20-year-old. The owner of whistles will be

delighted because they rarely have... What has he done? He has

thrown the stick away in sheer joy, actually. Who can blame him? The

Irish, one of the teams are yet to qualify for the Olympic Games. They

need to get enough riders with sufficient qualifications to get a

grip together and call at 18. You'd think this lady would be one of

those. I'd be pretty sure she could be one of those. The Irish are

riders to qualify to put together a team, but only time will tell.

Martin, coming down to the water. There was discussion about this

anchorman for the Americans. He can do it again.

Well done. You must have learned with every stride because it is

your first time here. A need to get stronger in the gym because I am

knackered. He is so fast. He is ever for racehorse. He just ate it

up. We are behind, but we will catch it up with him. He goes and

goes and goes. You are 5th. What about show jumping? I will let you

know tomorrow. Here is another star that has come

back having retired. It is Blyth Tait. In 2004, he was the double

world champion. The Kiwis did not want to miss out on the action.

is great to see him back. He is determined to try to get to London

next year. There are so many good Kiwi riders coming up and

threatening, so he will have to put up a good performance here, if he

wants to secure that plays. He he is riding as well as ever. Always

stylish, always keeping his horse this is the point of change for his

luck. He is inside the time. He now goes into 6th place. Those scores

are getting close. Coming to the water at the end and looking quite

strong. Elizabeth, keeping it together. Getting a little revved

up in the water. 7th place after dressage. A good spread with those

leaders. She is showing a lot of maturity in her riding.

certainly is. This is another X- rays horse. He won a number of

times. She is flying into the arena. She could be close to the time as

well. This X-ray her -- X-rays was, he is doing well. He is a very good

example of an old racehorse. Back to the evergreen Blyth Tait. And

his New Zealand-bred horse. He bought it from one of his students,

actually. Here it is Elizabeth is six seconds over but 45.7 puts

her in third place. She is in touch. Blyth Tait trying to do what Mark

Todd did, to come back for the Olympics. What can he do? I am not

quite sure what he was doing there. He was trying to add his stride.

The horse wasn't focused. Didn't know what he was being asked to do.

Sadly, a retirement for blighted. He does not feature on this

leaderboard. Elizabeth Power comes into third. The same story for Mary

King. A great round for Tom McEwan. They were clear inside the time. So

many of this crowd come to see their favourite riders and among

Yes, I became involved in the breeding side of event horses

through a horrid accident. I had a mare that I was eventing for an

owner, a beautiful young mare, who, sadly, in the field struck into her

tendon and her career came to an end. I didn't know anything about

breeding but she was a very good mare. I used successful stallions,

fashionable stallions. And I had been very fortunate that the

breeding has gone well, which is why have been able to build this

house, it has given me the money to do that. The first three foals were

fillies. I thought, oh dear, I've read all these girls, I've got to

get used to riding mares. But all of them have progressed up to four-

star level, which is amazing to think that. I have still got King's

temptress in my yard, and she is one of my top horses. Freddie, my

son, who does not like horses. -- and my daughter who does like

courses, he was asking, when we you give up? That was when they

announced that Rio de Janeiro was going to have a bit in the Olympics.

So he wanted me to go to Rio. Because of the football in Brazil.

I will see. Emily was saying, it would be great for you to continue

because she wants to be the first mother and daughter team. There is

no other rider at that has done six Olympic Games, either. The other

reason is I have managed to win a silver and bronze medal, but there

is one missing, and it would be amazing to be able to complete that

set. When I do eventually retire, I suppose I'd like to be remembered

for enjoying the sport. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in what

you're doing that the whole thing gets stressful, and you're trying

to win, and tried to prove yourself, and, at the end of the day, I am

very lucky to be doing this sort of It has been an interesting

afternoon of cross country action, and there is only one rider that

can knock William Fox-Pitt off the top spot and that is so minded to

none. She is about to get the first taste of this course. -- Simone de

well in the dressage. Her horse is very difficult to hold together.

But she is a very talented. Moving from one German to another. She has

a very consistent horse. He is showing all his experience in the

water. He looks slow, but he nearly always goes inside the time. He

never wastes any time on the cross country. Simone died and an --

Simone de Letterman jumps that quite well. You can see she had is

being cautious in her approach. She Her horse looking a little low in

front, but that is the way he goes. He is still full of running. He

jumps all of these very unstuck in the World Equestrian

Games last year. Sadly, she had a stop and a fall in the last fence

on the cross-country fence, and she is trying to put that behind her.

He is the most talented horse with a lot of scope. But sometimes the

speed and length of his stride is what gives them into trouble. She

looks as if she is going a little bit slow, trying to keep it

together, but she will not win with that the -- win with that. They

were 9th here last year, and now, another cracking performance. They

go up 8th. Oh, and it is Simone. She has to hang on, otherwise she

will be eliminated. A huge drop down across the road. That is where

she has ended. Oh, my golly gosh! Can she hang on? She is slipping...

Out they go. What a disappointment for the overnight leader.

The cross-country course had lots of spills. Christopher --

Christopher Burton parting company with his horse. Matthew Wright,

well, he kicks out the eggs from the nest. Sometimes you don't know

the decoration is there. He has laid an egg. Lawrence Hunt, his

fall did not fancy that amount. A horrible fall for this horse. The

American was all right, so, too, was the horse. Pippa Funnell has

won here in the past, but she had a very hard working round on pure

addiction. She had used all her powers of persuasion to make the

11-year-old jump the final section of the course. It didn't look

pretty. Other Townend, a fall on his first horse, then his second

was Mike would not go away from the stables, and they had to retire

just before the Leaf Pit. Zara Phillips, she is next away.

And there is the Princess Royal, who won here in 1971. We join one

of the young talents of America now. Third in the Rolex Kentucky event,

part of the HSBC Classics this spring. One of the Americans knew

rising stars. She has certainly gone well. She was 12th after

dressage, 46.0. One of the O'Connor competition abroad. This is Zara

Phillips coming to the Leaf Pit. She looks very impressive off that

drop and stayed on the line incredibly well. The very promising.

A French-bred horse. They have got a very good rapport. She get such a

good line. It has caused some problems for other riders but not

for Sinead. Discovery Valley and Zara Phillips. Trotting worked

second ride. This is Nereo. Remember, he is already in the top

five. Beautifully through the Leaf Pit. Is likely alternative route

but it has lost him very little time. -- a slightly alternative

route. Beautifully over the cascade fences of Zara Phillips. Sinead

comes to the final water crossing on the lake. A very talented young

rider. The Americans will be very excited by having her as a

potential team member in London next year. There is such thing as a

London tight and this could be one of them, as we rejoin High Kingdom.

And could this be another one? The horse that took Zara Phillips from

Pony Club in a very short period of time to being world champion. This

horse, now, she really pins her hopes on. Could it be London? As we

said at the outset, this is a real test for the combination. They

looked promising before but this now, the true acid test of both

horse and rider. They were very impressive staying on bat straight

line to the corner. High Kingdom and Zara Phillips might be exciting

in the making, but this is a combination that is definitely made.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. Could he make it yet another major this

autumn here at Burghley? There you see exactly why years one of the

very best ever at going cross- country. Coming to the final fence

for Sinead for a miracle. And she is kicking on. Just doesn't quite

get there inside the time but she will be thrilled. Her first

overseas venture, and what a performance. Hiking boom, up at the

Cottesmore Leap. -- Hyde Kingdom. Will he fly this? Makes a pretty

tidy effort. And we are back now with near road. The wonderful horse

of Barbara sellers. He was at the British championship. This final

water complex or -- for Zara Phillips and High Kingdom. He looks

full of running. They will need quick thinking on their feet for

London. Could this be one of them? A horse who can run up and down,

shot. We now see the man who is up to the world number one. William

has got a lot of young, athletic horses but it will be the case of

which can be the best of all three phases for the championship. A

little bit hesitant there. Yes, but we think he held it together

because he knew he would not get it. Her High Kingdom at the last, and

this is a very exciting moment. He will be thrilled with this horse,

High Kingdom. Zara Phillips has given us a wonderful boost for

London next year. And Nereo and Andrew Nicholson, over at the

Cottesmore. A spectacular jump there. Zara Phillips' fans are here,

and her mother will be delighted. Her Royal Highness was European

champion, and so was Zara Phillips. Their careers have gone very much

in parallel. He just popped that. He looks as though he is on a

canter at home. He already makes it look like child's play. Look at

that last new water for an era of. And another one to give it a pretty

hard wrapping. Several horses have begun to look tired in this part of

the afternoon. Whether it is the heat, I am not sure. And William

Fox-Pitt with Neuf day Coeurs. Still looks full of running here.

It is the climb from here to the top of the hill that can take the

stuffing out of the horses but William's courses will be as fit as

anyone's. -- William's horses. look at bad-boy stop he is a horse

that the owners had retired from international competitions. -- look

Flinstar. He is good on the clock. Probably the most popular winner

ever. Yes. He could be a 9 or 10- year-old, the way he went round

that corner. Could they bring him back with London in mind next year?

I think it is on the cards. Here's Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. He is

not going to get too much inside the time, but he has showed great

judgment. He goes third and has two in the top five. Watch out for

Andrew Nicholson and get your money on. A great ride early on for Mary

King on Apache Sauce, who is now on King's Temptress. They show all

their experience and ride a perfect line. William Fox-Pitt comes over

the line to the fence. Now quite a sequence of fences much closer

together as a result of that offence. Thom horse certainly looks

to have picked up one or two hesitant moments earlier on. --

Matt horse. Spectacular. No problems there as she takes a look

at her watch. Gets in close and pops in the two. King's the --

King's Temptress get out very quickly. William Fox-Pitt, trying

to get there, but he will be slightly over the time but thrilled

to be one of the two riders to have two or horses in the top 10 of this

competition. Yes. Can this lady get close, though? Nobody can get ahead

but it is a question of getting four penalties down. Still a lot to

play for. Mary King looks good on the clock. King's Temptress, V

Lexington winner, in fine style. It has only ever been done once, and

that was by Pippa funnel. exciting thing here for Mary is

that this is a home-bred horse. Owned by the king's mistress.

Spectacular, Grade, straight line there. Here is Lenamore. He might

be 18 years old, but doesn't he loved it! We have seen one or two

weary horses, but this one doesn't look weary. He is still flying.

jumped up to that island and was way above it. We have seen so many

horses of just scrape their underbelly on that. But not

Lenamore. And now powering into the arena. We have Caroline. What an

asset for the Kiwis. And they are flying. They are going to trouble

the leaders. Somebody else is flying. Mary King at Cottesmore.

Sees a good one. Back in front of this wonderful house, and it is

Lenamore. It is going to be inside the time. Can you believe it, at 18

years old! What a ride, what a horse! William Fox-Pitt, and it is

game on for the show jumping. Mary's got this final water

complex to negotiate. King's status looks as though it is still taking

a good hold down there. -- Kings Temptress. Pops over the island and

just does not waste any energy over the fences. Keeps up a relentless

gallop. CLARE BALDING: You are getting many

congratulations from your fellow New Zealanders. How does it feel?

He just feels so fantastic. He is not ready to retire. He is only

five. Did she feel any pressure coming back to defend your title?

did. But I thought, I can just relax and enjoy it. And everybody

has been fantastic. The Kiwis. They said, just go out and enjoy it.

is another great event for Mary King. Could she get closer to that

Grand Slam with King's Temptress? Three seconds over so she goes

forth. She, too, is within a friends of the lead. What a cross-

country competition. CLARE BALDING: I spoke to Mary King

after that round on King's attempts to us. -- Kings Temptress. She felt

lovely. I went on a holding stride. I just chickened out on going on

the real long forward and I ended up getting ever so deep. But the

rest of it, I thoroughly enjoyed. And so did she. That round put Mary

into 4th place. Have a look at this top 10, and you will see William,

Mary and Nicholson all have horses in the top 10. It is a mixed at top

20, with Americans, Germans and New Zealand thes, as well as a lot of

Next year, Greenwich Park will produce a very different sort of

event. They held their test event earlier this year and this is what

the top competitors made of it. is going to suit quick horses that

can handle themselves well and Bartok quick to turn and are quick

to adjust. -- and are quick to turn. You need to be able to twist

quickly. It is about snatching odd seconds off that turns. It is about

thinking, where can I make up speed? It will be a serious part of

the competition. It is not just about galloping. It is about having

a horse that is quick off his feet. It felt like we were tearing round,

so what it will feel like when we have to go at full speed, 570

metres a minute, it is quite a thought. The arena is magnificent.

As inventors, we were delighted with that surface and the animals

operated well on that surface. Show jumping tomorrow, and we are very

hopeful this service can work for all the disciplines. This does

bring it to reality and it gives you more of an urge to go out there

and du all you can to try and make sure you get there. Hong Kong

clearly was not anywhere near Beijing. Here, you are right in the

thick of it, though. A lot of people questioned whether it should

be here in Greenwich, but now that the whole competition is rocking

and rolling, it is going to be very exciting, even though people

The other thing riders have to deal with his extreme weather conditions,

which can change from three days of brilliant sunshine, to rain. It is

a filthy day. It will make the show jumping even more exciting and this

is what they will be aiming to do. This statue, in awe of the Marquess

of Exeter. He was part of the Chariots of Fire team as well. The

honoured guest presenting the prizes and trophy to the winner is

the winner of this title in 1971. She was Princess Anne. She watched

all the competitors parade before the start of the show jumping,

including her own daughter, Zara Phillips, who has had an

outstanding time so far. All of the horses have to go through the vet's

inspection -- inspection. One horse was found lame, Elizabeth Powell's

horse. They will take him home, and see if they can get him sound. The

other contenders trotted up sound. It is an incredibly tight

competition with just three fences separating the top 15. It is four

penalty points for a knock-down, one penalty point for a second over

the optimum time, and three riders in the top 10 have two horses to

ride. They went out of order. Let's started. It is not a great round

for Mary King. Time is all right. But that 16 expensive mistake...

Here is the first. The horse just lost his back end. That is the

problem these riders have got to face. It has made it all the more

complicated. William Fox-Pitt. He is on his first horse. Both of his

horses in the top paid, but he has had three fences down. It is 12 to

well. In all, he has 12 to add. He finishes on 61.1, which will drop

him down a number of places. Four at the very least. Zara Phillips

coming to the end of her round. An early fence down. An otherwise

great performance. She will do Britain proud in the future. She

goes on to 55.7. She was 12. She will drop down three places at the

moment, but still a performance to reckon with in the future. Now

Andrew Nicholson. Andrew, once again, class or right through the

competition. To make in the top five. It is a horse that has been

right up with the leaders in the cross-country and was disappointing

in this phased in Badminton in the spring, but then jumped a very good

round to clinch the bronze team medal for the Kiwis. That was at

the World Equestrian Games. A clear round now would put the pressure on

the four above him. Game on for Andrew Nicholson. He is a man on

fire in the last month. He has won this twice. Can he win it a third

time? He's certainly capable of it. He did get a couple of time faults

yesterday, but he jumped a very good round. What is interesting

watching Andrew is he is keeping the horses interest. He is not

always keeping him relaxed but interested. One minute he is

softening his hands, then holding the 999 calls through there. He is

saying, you don't know what I'm going to do, so keep concentrating

and thinking. That was pretty lucky. He is creating his own luck. He is

doing a jolly good job on this horse. Keeping its interest and

enthusiasm. Sometimes show jumping isn't enough to pack them off.

Especially as we said with cross country the day before... A

brilliant round. He is on form. 45.1. The gaunt and is down. -- the

We are live with the rain easing of. One fence down. You must be pleased.

I am. I was just a bit casual to the second fence, but after that,

he jumped fantastic and it will only get better. He will learn from

it, and the whole weekend has gone really well. You know, I said at

the beginning top 20 would be great, so hopefully not going to go down

any further than that. You will be at the 13th or better. Having

retired to other horse earlier this year, do you think there is a

chance now you can make it to learn them? You never know. He has gone

really well. You know, he can only improve from this run. He will only

get better, he is only 10 years old. I hope he will be at the top.

tough is it in there with it being so wet? The rain has made it tricky

then it was this morning. It is getting deeper. And the time,

you've got to keep going with the time. I think you will see a lot

fewer clears. Who will win? I don't know. It is between William and the

two Kiwis. There is no room for error. Thank you. Well done to you.

We will see Tom McEwan now. He is about to go into the arena. This is

what an exciting talent he is. He is on an old racehorse. Picked up

when he was working for Pippa Funnell. He has gone really well.

Thomas part of a gold medal team. Let's go around the course and see

the problems said. It is a good track and he has done a good job.

You have to turn back and yourself in fence three, which is good for

the horses that have been cross country because they can get a

little bit flat. There is one away for Tom, sadly. The twists and

turns a should keep the horse's hind legs underneath them. You have

interesting, he took a stride out there compared to some of the

riders and paid the penalty. He is straight into the crowds, so the

horses can be distracted. A running stride. Very careful over the fence.

Again, a quick turn back. He can save some time here at this wall.

The time is quite tight. The last two fences, and upright to a big

open oxer that is again been on the ground a few times. It is 12 to add.

And 61.3. That could put him down from 9th to 19th. It is so close.

Every penalty is going to be really expensive here. Tom McEwan, never

been in the sort of atmosphere with this sort of level of competition.

Great experience for this 20-year- ago, for that Badminton this time.

He went very well across the country. 52 clear rounds. Mark

Phillips can be very happy with the effect of the cross-country, but as

usual, the show jumping is playing its part. I was just thinking that

this horse is such a good jumper and is usually clear. I would have

expected him to go clear, but any horse can have a pole dance. The

competition is getting more and more exciting. In general terms,

this horse is pretty careful, and I would be surprised if he has

another one down. Well... Commentators Kurz, I'm afraid.

is a man that will try to catch the Australian selector's I again. --

the selectors I again. He has not done a lot wrong. He will be very

keen to get to London. He is based on the Dorset-Somerset border. He

has a lovely young family. He has taken the pressure off the top four.

He jumped a clear round at Badminton and Chatsworth to win the

-- Ceredigion places. Zara Phillips was 17th and she is now into the

top 10. So, 12th it is for Sam Griffiths. He goes on to 59.1. He

dropping pretty regularly. In comes Mary King. Mary King with the home-

bred horse. She has already jumped another horse, and she was lying

6th. She is on a 62.8. She has dropped also ride down. Tom McEwan

just in front of her. What can she do on this horse? She won the

relics can tacky event on this horse. If she wins this, she gives

herself a chance for the Grand Slam at Badminton next year. There is

more than just this competition hanging on this round. Of the term,

we saw that her horse slipped behind. -- on the term. It is

interesting because it was such a good cross-country course yesterday.

Some of the known good show jumpers have had a few poles down, so it is

anybody's game. This is a home-bred mare... 0, that state! Well. She is

riding her luck. It has never been easy... That was three rattles in a

row. You cannot get away with that. The tension is going to get more

and more now. Two Kiwis and a British rider to come. This fall is

jumping very well. The rain we have had has affected the ground

conditions. Some of these horses just showing the difference. This

morning, the horses were jumping quite a few clear rounds. Not so

this afternoon. All is not lost. Probably that Grand Slam is gone.

She is all right on time. It is 47.4 for Mary King. Nicholson moves

above her. Could he have two in the just gone into the arena for New

What is your feeling? A lot of attention. The horse is normally a

good jumper. We have got our fingers crossed. Lenamore is such

an agile horse? He should be OK? Yes, on the day, you can only hope

last time. A clear chance of back- will work is the fact he has been

trained in Scotland. You would think he would be used to that,

training in Scotland. But the condition of the ground. Caroline

has to stay relaxed because he is, in general terms, an excellent

jumper. He is coming up to third and already lies with William Fox-

Pitt. It is getting expensive. 50,000 to the winner. King's

Temptress now goes above Lenamore. The last four Caroline and Lenamore.

Drums that and the time is OK. -- jumps that. Penalties will be added

for those mistakes. It is a bid for horse and Draper were such a

popular winner last year. -- it is You nearly put the pressure on?

was chuffed to bits with King's temperatures. -- Kings Temptress. I

am very grateful to everybody who helped with the mare team and has

and better. Did a lovely, clear ground yesterday. He eases the

pressure for William Fox-Pitt. And another. But Nero's still in the

lead. Still a Nicholson lead to be beaten at the moment. It now means

William has got one offence but not two. -- one fence. I am thinking

that yesterday's cross country was big in galloping. The riders loved

the idea of it but it is taking its toll today. Some really are good

jumpers are having a tough time today. Only William Fox-Pitt can

take it away from the Kiwis now. Andrew has dropped down to 8th

place. Mary King is currently lying but two -- behind Nicholson and

nearer. Turning for home. All is not lost for Nicholson. It won't be

Avebury. He is OK on that time. There is one to jump. And the man

who has won it five times in all. Could he be the first man to ever

win it six times? Can William Fox- Pitt do it on this lovely horse. He

jumped a class round yesterday. He jumped a decent round to win the

young horse class at Blenheim last year, which is when he really came

to prominence. He is known as Mr cool, but he needs to just be out

on this situation this afternoon. We need the horse also to get up in

the air. Such a great performance he has to do. He jumps the first

two offences well. -- two fences. He won Blenheim last year and

jumped a very good, convincing clear round there, but this is just

a step further. Dare I say, he can afford one, but not two. He is

still at 39.7. He did not get a great stride there. I love the

horse's reaction. He said, I will go higher and wider, just sit still.

What a luxury to have a fence in hand. In these conditions, it could

easily be necessary. He first won it in 1994. Then, 2002 and 2005.

This will be the one the Kiwis will wish they had not let go. Yes. This

will be the one that might, might win this man and Olympic gold

medal! He has got it! He has got a time fault but no worry about that.

He wins the Land Rover Burghley horse trials and it puts him back

on the path for next year's Olympic Games. That was a class round. It

really was. It was fantastic. Not only brilliant riding, but what a

horse. Look at the height to get over these fences. William,

extremely happy. And I would think Parklane Hawk, just as happy.

Absolutely. Now, it is Parklane Hawk, the 2011 winner. After the

disappointment of last week, I was suggest that High Kingdom is

Nicholson did not quite get there with an era. Another fighting

performance from Mary King. Last year's winner, Caroline Powell, in

4th. And then Jonathan Paget for New Zealand, one to remember. Boyd

Martin, making the American challenge next year, stronger and

better. Andrew Nicholson in 8th with a Avebury. And Lawrence

Shannon in net 9th. And then Zara Phillips, with High Kingdom, in

10th place. What a very good Land Rover Burghley for Great Britain.

CLARE BALDING: He has made history, winning Burghley for the 6th time.

For that, you go past Mark Todd. It was great. He is a phenomenal

horse. There work poll's crashing down all around you. Hideous

conditions? I was feeling quite sick. He is normally a lovely

jumper. But Avebury is also normally a fantastic jumper and had

fences down. So did Caroline. I went in thinking, believe in him,

but realistically, what was my chance? It was tiny. I feel so

proud now. It feels amazing to have won Burghley six times after

winning Badminton six times. It is very satisfying. The ones behind me

were legends, but had just managed to pip them. We might be cracking

on in hours and the frames! You never know! You have got so many

good animals in your yard at home. Could this one be your Olympic one?

He has certainly increased himself in my estimation. It is a big step

up for him so let's see how he comes out in the spring. Certainly

one of my big hopes for next year. Where were due well this in your

achievements? One of the best. I have had five grade Burghleys. I

can pretend I am relaxed and at OK, but deep down, it means so much.

Many, many congratulations. He withstood the challenge from all of

the New Zealanders, but in particular, this man, Andrew

Nicholson, they are huge rivals around the world. You did your

best? Yes. Nereo did a great job but William's horse jumped

immaculately UN won. In terms of looking back over the competition,

what would your thoughts be as a hall on this dramatic event? It is

one of the best. It is great that people come and watch. Look at the

rain we have had today. Still a great crowd, and they watch and

supported and enjoy it. And I enjoy entertaining than. I know you never

enjoy finishing second but you have to be proud to have two horses

going as well as they did? They have worked pretty hard all year.

Her plea now they will have an easy spring and be my two Mains for the

Olympics. -- her obsolete. Looking ahead, the New Zealand team looks

very strong? Yes. It is very exciting. It is great to be part of

a team on the up. Jonathan Paget looked very, very good. Clock

Johnson. -- Clarke Johnson. Well done to Andrew Nicholson. He

finishes as the run up, but William Fox-Pitt, victory was his. Mary

King over there, she finishes third. We hope you enjoy the features on

hat and all the coverage from this year's Burghley. It has been sunny,