Tim Price and Vitali have placed second at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials amongst arguably the strongest field ever to compete at the prestigious CCI5*.

The Kiwi combo scored 22.3 in their dressage, added just 3.2 time penalties in the cross country and then a single rail in the showjumping for their final tally of 29.5. Winning was the very in-form Ros Canter (GBR) and Lordships Graffalo who claimed a new best-ever score for Burghley with their 23.6 penalty point effort. Ros’ win adds to her gold year that also included a team gold at the Paris Olympic Games. Harry Meade (GBR) aboard Cavalier Crystal was third on 31.3.

Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo take the Title for the 2024 Defender Burghley Horse Trials. 2nd: Tim Price and Vitali. 3rd: Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner. Stamford. Sunday 8 September. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Tim garnered a little breathing space this morning after Harry had a rail on his fourth-placed horse Annaghmore Valoner. The Kiwis were a bit unlucky to have the rail late in the course and put plenty of pressure on the eventual winner. Tim was pleased with Vitali’s effort and felt it was the round of Vitali’s life in the longer format competition. “He was just with me out there,” said Tim. “It’s both physical and mental with him but I know he has the ability. I can’t tell you how happy I am about that (round).”

It’s certainly been a work in progress for the combination with 12 jump faults at their previous five 5* starts and still always in the top 10. It’s been costly and frustrating, and there was a collective sigh of relief and plenty of excitement from commentators this morning.

“He is a good horse and actually jumps a lot of good rounds but I have never produced it at an important occasion like Badminton or Burghley, so that was great. I couldn’t be more pleased.” Plenty of work has gone into getting the horse to be more consistent and clearer at top level. “I am really happy with him. Maybe we will do Kentucky next year – who knows. He has pulled up really sound and I feel we are finding a bit of a path with him now that can be repeated.”

Tim Price and Vitali take 2nd place, with owner Joe Giannamore, during the Prizegiving. 2024 GBR-Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Stamford. Sunday 8 September. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Tim was very grateful for the understanding, support and encouragement from Vitali’s owners Alex and Joe Giannamore. “It wasn’t a fluke out there today . . . I know what I have done different and know we can do it again.” Tim praised the efforts of Ros Canter, and said for them to be close to Lordships Graffalo was good. “This wasn’t lost in the showjumping. I had to be a little bit better in all three phases to beat her and perhaps that is something I can achieve one day to be a horse like that.”

It’s been a Burghley to remember for Monica Spencer and Artist who finished 11th on debut at the top flight event. They scored 24.4 in the dressage, added 8.4 time in the cross country and had a rail and two time faults in this morning’s showjumping for a final tally of 38.8 penalty points. “He’s turning into a pretty good horse isn’t he,” said a very pleased Monica. “They all said he was a Burghley horse – they were right! I am so grateful to the amazing people who came on board to make this dream a reality.”

It was a real “pinch me” moment for the US based rider. “I am sure it will sink in next week. What a horse – he just gets better and better.” Artist’s groom Michelle Koppin won the Spillers Horse Care Prize and his farrier Russell Deering took the Worshipful Company of Farriers Best-Shod Award.

Fellow debutants Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte were clear and inside time to finish on 56.3 in 21st spot, while Lauren Innes and Global Fision M added 4.4 penalty points to their score to finish on 63.8 and in 24th. Tim and Viscount Viktor had a single rail this morning for their 103.9 effort with Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise ending Burghley on 116.1.

Also competing for New Zealand were Caroline Powell aboard Greenacres Special Cavalier who retired during the cross country after losing a shoe and Jonelle Price with Grappa Nera who were eliminated. Just 39 of the original 75 starters completed all three phases. There were just eight clear and inside time rounds in the showjumping today, with a further six clear but picking up time penalties.

Click here for FINAL RESULTS

THE HORSE DETAILS

Horse

Breeding

Owners

Artist

by Guillotine out of Maxamore who is by Volksraad

Spencer Eventing

Blackthorn Cruise

by Vancouver out of Ms Cruize who is by Cruising

Panda Christie and Dan Jocelyn

Cooley Lafitte

by Je T’aime Flamenco out of Graf Shenanigans who is by Scirocco Delle

Jay Jaffar

Global Fision M

by Flipper D’Elle HN out of Kantussa who is by Cantus

Innes Family Syndicate

Grappa Nera

by Karandasj out of Cetonette who is by Babalouba)

The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price

Greenacres Special Cavalier

by Cavalier Royale out of Greenacres Touch who is by Touchdown

Michelle and Chris Mann and Caroline Powell

Viscount Viktor

by Viscount 22 out of Noble Beauty who is by Nobre

Barbara Cooper, Glynn Norcutt, Ginny Rusher and Tim Price

Vitali

by Contender out of Noble Lady I who is by Heraldic)

Joseph and Alexander Giannamore and Tim Price

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ