It may have been his first Burghley and he may have taken a dunking on his first ride, but Michael Jung has added yet another trophy to his impressive collection.
Determined
Michael lead the competition from the off – albeit on two different horses. Fischerrocana FST was in the lead after the dressage, but Michael blew his chances when the horse tripped in the water at fence four and he fell off.
Not one to give up easily, the Olympic and European champion strapped up his leg and came back on La Biosthetique Sam more determined than ever.
The pair was seventh after the dressage, but moved up to first place when they jumped clear in the cross-country, less than a second over the optimum time.
Cool head
Tim Price was 1.5pen behind him on Ringwood Skyboy going into the final phase, which meant Michael had to leave all the fences up.
Tim jumped a great clear to pile on the pressure. One mistake and Michael would have to hand over the trophy over.
The rider kept a typically cool head to produce a foot-perfect round and retain his position at the top of leaderboard on a final score of 40pen.
‘Good friend’
“Burghley is a big competition with a high tradition, so to win here is perfect,” said Michael. “Sam is like a good friend, I know him well and I learn a lot from him. He is a strong horse and always gives me 100 percent.”
Tim was thrilled with ‘Oz’ who he said isn’t a natural showjumper.
‘He’s never quite been able to produce it in the ring at this level,” said Tim. “So I’m delighted with him, it’s a great achievement. I almost got the little fella from Germany, but next time. “
Flying form
Chris Burton was third and fourth, with TS Jamaimo and Haruzac respectively.
“Burghley has never been that lucky for me so just to see the finish flags yesterday I was delighted,” said Chris, who is on flying form, having also won the British Eventing Open Championship at Gatcombe last month.
Tim’s wife Jonelle was fifth with Classic Moet after having one down in the showjumping to finish on 48.8pen.
Personal best
It wasn’t a great weekend for the Brits, but most are saving their best horses for the European Championships.
Tina Cook was the highest placed rider in eighth place riding 10-year-old Star Witness (52.6pen) – one of the youngest horses in the event. He acheived a personal best in the dressage and was clear in both the cross-county and showjumping.
“It puts him on the Olympic list, he’s gone so well,” said Tina. “I’m really pleased with him.”
William Fox-Pitt was 10th riding Fernhill Pimms (58.6pen), who was also competing in his first four-star.
Mixed weekend
William scuppered his chances when he momentarily lost his way on the cross-country course and then had one down in the final phase.
“It was a mixed weekend, but from the horse’s point of view, fantastic,” said William. “It was annoying to have a fence down, he just touched one, but that’s the name of the game.
“Hopefully he will come out next year a bigger and stronger horse and I’m really looking forward to that.”
All eyes now turn to the European Championships at Blair Castle in Scotland which start on Thursday (10 September).