Britain’s David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed head the Defender Burghley Horse Trials leaderboard at lunchtime on the opening day of dressage (Thursday 4 September) on a score of 29.6.

“That was definitely the best he’s ever gone in the ring. He was really settled, really rideable, and just nailed everything for me. That’s probably about the best he’s going to really ever be able to do. He’s not built to do dressage so I’m absolutely stoked,” said David.

“We’ve worked really hard on his dressage and it’s finally paid off and he’s been able to show everyone what he’s capable of. We nailed it today – we lunged and rode him for the right time this morning and he’s feeling the best he’s ever felt in his body. I’ve got to write this all down and remember it for next time.”

David and the 14-year-old KWPN gelding who is owned by David, Mary Fox and Gillian Jonas, were second here two years ago behind Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class after producing a clear cross-country round inside the time.

Murphy moves into second

Ireland’s Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit, who is owned by Richard Ames, Tanya Ames, Alan Bell and Annette O’Callaghan, hold second on 30.9.

“I’m really pleased. It certainly wouldn’t be his strongest phase, but he’s a beautiful horse, and now that he’s more on side and I’m a bit more confident with him,” said Joseph who finished 49th with the 10-year-old gelding at Mars Badminton Horse Trials in May.

Amazing Grace

Grace Taylor sits third with her mother Ann Taylor’s 13-year-old Irish Sports Horse Game Changer.

“My trainer Lisa White and I have been working on having him much more strong, supple and in front of the leg and he’s enjoying his dressage more. He was always more of a jumping horse, but I always knew he could do really good dressage test, so I was frustrated with myself that I wasn’t getting the marks, but it’s getting there,” said Grace, who represents USA.

Harry Meade is in fourth place with the first of his three rides, Et Hop du Matz, while fifth place is occupied by Ireland’s Austin O’Connor riding Sixmilewater.

The afternoon session will get underway at 2pm.

Images © Tim Wilkinson/Your Horse.

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