It’s little surprise the world number one and two eventers are jostling for the top spot at Burghley, but we certainly didn’t expect a draw at the end of the dressage.
Inexperienced
Michael Jung (number one) and William Fox-Pitt (number two) both scored 34.2pen to take the lead. What’s even more surprising is that William was riding the relatively inexperienced Fernhill Pimms, who is competing in his first four-star.
William said it was “terrific” to be equal with the reigning Olympic and European Champion, but tomorrow’s cross-country will be the big decider.
‘Keep my cool’
“It’s nearly a championship course, Mark Phillips has been very clever and the terrain is tough,” said William.
“I’m just going to ride him according to how he’s feeling – he might be really up for it. He might be really green.
“It’s a long way round with questions right to the end, and Discover Valley is an ugly damn fence. I’ve just got to keep my cool and hopefully feel him grow under me as he goes around, and proves to be a good four star horse.”
Good form
As well as heading the leaderboard with Fischerrocana FST, Michael Jung also shares seventh place with fellow German Niklas Bschorer, ridingLa Biosethique Sam.
Never one to give too much away, Michael said both horses are on good form and he’s “looking forward” to the cross-country.
Sam Griffiths is just behind Michael and William in third place with Happy Times (36.8pen) on whom he came third at Burghley last year.
‘Fiendish’
“Mark Phillips has been quite fiendish with what he’s done with the course,” said Sam. “It won’t feel good until you’ve finished, as there are so many places you can get caught out.”
But the biggest challenge he faces, is having William and Michael in front of him.
“There are a few hurdles I need to get past with the world one and two in front of me!” he said. “I’ll just be concentrating on my performance.”
Tough course
Also scoring in the 30s were Andrew Hoy who currently lies fourth (Rutherglen), and Oliver Townend (Armada) and Tim Price (Ringwood Skyboy) who – yes, you guessed it – are in equal fifth position.
It’s all to play for tomorrow. It’s a tough, long course, with challenging terrain so finishing inside the time could be an issue.
The action kicks off at 11am and we will be bringing you all the news and our views via Twitter and Facebook.