Burghley, Burghley, Burghley...

I can hardly get enough.

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I have watched through '95 so far, rationing out a video a day so I don't get fired or find myself surrounded by chores at home. I will say, I've been watching the dressage coverage and cross country and have skipped most of the show jumping (partially because they have the winners posted on the links). Some of the courses have been completely outrageous, notably a few sunken roads that make my palms sweaty just thinking about, and some nail-biting combinations that Captain Mark Phillips seems to think are hilarious (hearing him giggle while doing the course walk seems quite sinister). Of all the **** tracks, I think Burghley may be the biggest test of skill and endurance on both the horse and rider. It is the place where riders show their true grit (that's not to say that any other **** track is a walk in the park), but I think Burghley is different. Undulating terrain, huge fences, technical questions, and a tough optimum time to meet, it's unforgiving and certainly not for the faint of heart...I mean, I get weak in the knees just watching. What is apparent from watching the earlier videos is that the British riders are just Gods. They ooze class and showmanship and have incredible horses. I was wondering if something about ex-steeplechase horses gives them an edge. There are certainly a ton of OTTBs running around *** and **** tracks, but I wonder if the British steeple chasing gives them an edge. The horses seem braver, and hungry for each fence. Even some of the really young horses running around Burghley recently pulled off the track have a sense of maturity that I don't get from most of our horses. What's more is that so many of these horses have the coveted "5th leg". They save their riders by being smart and catty at the jumps and can get themselves out of heaps of trouble without being separated from their rider. Obviously, the rider plays a huge role too, but I have been seriously blown away by the horses.



So, since I am in full Burghley mode, I will give my predictions (like I did for Rolex) for the top 5 rider and horse combinations, with some other notes sprinkled in. There are currently 90 entries, so it's hard to pick just 5, but here goes...

Caroline Powell and Lenamore:

Easy favorite to win (they were last year's winners) but I adore this horse!

I am curious if Lenamore will retire after Burghley this year, he's 18 and certainly one of the oldest (if not thee oldest competitor running around this year). They are a brilliant pair and I am excited to see them go.

Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz:

From the USEA site

I'll admit, I like him because he reminds me of Kiki. He's a really neat OTTB and I think his stamina will play a great role in helping him get around Burghley. He's always full of running at the end of XC and is quite catty around the course. This is going to a be a huge step for this pair as Rolex was their first **** together.

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice:

She such a cute little mare!

What this mare lacks in stature, she makes up for in talent. They are overdue for a top finish at this level and I really think they are bringing their A-game across the pond. Go mares!

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville:

Go Tate, Go! (From USEA)

Sinead and Tate are probably my favorites to win this year. After a great run around Rolex, they are hungry for a win (or a top finish, or likely, just TO finish). Her experience on England's turf will serve her well at Burghley. I'll have my fingers and toes crossed for these two!

Finally, Mary King and Apache Sauce:

Mary is the coolest!

I know that Mary King is a likely favorite, especially with King's Temptress in the running, but I have a soft spot for Apache Sauce. He's 15 and I think his experience will help them be incredibly competitive this year. Listening to Mary talk post-ride is really humbling and I admire her sensibility when it comes to her horses and the level that she's competing. She is a true horsewoman in every sense of the word.

A few honorable mentions go out to Laura Collett and Ginger May Killingshurst, William Fox-Pitt and his FOUR rides (specifically Neuf Des Coeurs -- I love that horse), and of course Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest. I left out Mark Todd (as he's the easy favorite) since he's likely going to make this outrageous course look like a Pony Club event. That said, I am still excited to see him ride!

Follow up: This water entrance at fence 26 is out of control it doesn't look sooo bad from this view, but the course walk made it seem really tough!