Burghley
What an incredible event Burghley turned out to be.
Both horses trotted up well on Sunday morning which is always a relief. As always, it was very reassuring to have Amanda Sutton and Andy Bathe there to check the horses were on top form. The show jumping course certainly walked like quite a serious track with several related and quite tricky distances. I knew it would be quite a challenge for Parklane Hawk, particularly as he is so long striding. However, in many ways it is much better if the show jumping is decent because it is the same for everyone, when it is easier there can be many more clears and often the best jumpers can have an unfortunate rail down. It was a long wait to the afternoon session of jumping and when the rain came the going began to change quite dramatically.
Very sadly Neuf Des Coeurs knocked three rails down dropping him right down the order to finish 18th. We were naturally very disappointed, particularly as he has been jumping so well recently and I had felt very confident that he would jump a good round, so perhaps he was feeling a little weary after his exertions on Saturday. This did not boost confidence ahead of Parklane Hawk’s round and it was becoming apparent that clear rounds were few and far between.
Parklane Hawk felt fantastic in himself and warmed up extremely well with the help of Peter Murphy. I went into the arena feeling confident in him, remembering how well he had jumped when he won at Blenheim last year, and I could not have been more impressed with how he performed. To have won with a clear round and a fence in hand was certainly more than I could have hoped for.
I couldn’t be more thrilled for Jackie and Jason who worked so hard all week, the team at home who have put in a lot of hours bringing him back to top form and for his owners Catherine & David Witt.
To have won six Burghleys is so unbelievable, it certainly has not sunk in just yet and it was particularly emotional to have won my sixth on Burghleys 50th anniversary.
Click here to watch Parklane Hawk's dressage.
Click here to watch Parklane Hawk's cross country.
Click here to watch the winning show jumping round.
Click here to read the official Burghley Horse Trials press release following William's record breaking sixth title.
Click here to see the full results from 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
Parklane Hawk wins William a record breaking sixth Burghley title.
