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The HSBC FEI Classics™ - Fox-Pitt strengthens position at Burghley

September 5, 2025

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) has reinforced his position as the current leader of the HSBC FEI Classics with a strong performance in the dressage phase of the fourth leg of the series, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire, England.

He is lying third on Tamarillo, a horse who has already won at this level, at Badminton in 2004, and ninth on Ballincoola, the 2005 Burghley winner, and even has another ace up his sleeve with dual 3-star winner Macciato, who will be his ride at Les Etoiles de Pau.

Former dual Olympic gold medallist Phillip Dutton (USA), Fox-Pitt’s closest challenger in the HSBC FEI Classics, is in 15th place at Burghley on Woodburn, and Lucy Wiegersma, lying fifth in the standings with 12 points, has gone into second place on this year’s Badminton runner-up, Shaabrak.

But with heavy rain pouring down all over Burghley, the competition will be wide open, as a thrilling cross-country day beckons.

NEW DRESSAGE LEADER
The dressage order at Burghley has changed considerably – the first day leader, Oliver Townend (GBR) is in eighth place now - with a raft of powerful performances, despite the increasingly wet conditions, as horses and riders rose magnificently to the challenge presented by a typical British summer.

Reigning British National Champion, Ruth Edge, 28, who was first into the arena, set an unbeatable standard and has taken a commanding lead in a phase in which she is particularly accomplished, regularly competing at grand prix level on the national circuit. She has already tasted four-star victory, at Luhmuhlen last year on Two Thyme, the horse on whom she was shortlisted for Britain’s Olympic team, and would be a popular and deserving winner here.

The ground jury, Brian Ross (USA, president), Jean Mitchell (IRL) and Jane Tolley (GBR) were unaminous in placing Ruth at the head of the field of 71 riders from 10 nations.

Ruth scored 33.7pen on the 12-year-old Mr Dumbledore, a former winner at three-star level, at Bramham and Boekelo, with William Fox-Pitt in 2005. He subsequently sold the horse to the present owner, Catherine de Witt. It is, however, Ruth’s first four-star venture with Mr Dumbledore, who is named after a character in the popular Harry Potter books.

“I jumped at the chance to ride a horse like that, said Ruth. “He was fabulous today. As soon as you enter the arena, he just grows in stature and presence. I have working with my trainer, Judy Harvey, on improving his expression and I couldn’t be more pleased. He didn’t put a foot wrong.”

Lucy Wiegersma, 5.4pen in arrears, will be hoping for compensation for missing the Olympics. She was named for the British team, but Shaabrak suffered a sore foot.

Olympic riders Karin Donckers (BEL) and team bronze medallist Mary King (GBR) are fourth and fifth, ahead of two Australians who will be hoping to compensate for missing Hong Kong. The 2004 winner, Andrew Hoy, is sixth, ahead of his compatriot Matt Ryan.

CHARACTERFUL HORSE
William Fox-Pitt said of his characterful part-Arab, the 16-year-old Tamarillo, for whom it is a first visit to Burghley: “He’s come under here under no pressure. With time, I’ve come to accept his funny little ways – there isn’t a lot I can do about his antics, but he coped very well with the weather and produced his best ever 4-star result.”

Sally O’Connor, who was commentating on the dressage, said: “I was surprised that today’s dressage was even better than yesterday, considering the rain. There were some very good tests and it’s an impressive standard. Ruth Edge really laid down the gauntlet – hers was a great ride.”

CROSS-COUNTRY CHANGES
Course-designer Mark Phillips (GBR) with technical delegate Martin Plewa (GER) have made a few adjustments to the cross-country course in view of the weather, although a drying night is expected.

The third element, a narrow fence, of the Leaf Pit (fence 4), the Hunting Hedge at 10, the first part of the Dairy Farm at 17, and the back rail of Capability’s Classic (22) have been removed.

William Fox-Pitt said: “It’s a good, bold galloping cross-country course. It will be quite demanding, as Burghley always is, but I won’t be changing my plans on routes. Riders will have to adapt their striding sometimes, and that will be the true test.”

TOP TEN AFTER DRESSAGE AT BURGHLEY
1, Ruth Edge/Mr Dumbledore (GBR), 33.7pen;
2, Lucy Wiegersma/Shaabrak (GBR) 39.1;
3, William Fox-Pitt/Tamarillo, 39.8;
4, Karin Donckers (Rose’s Merlin, BEL) 40.6;
5, Mary King/Imperial Cavalier (GBR), 41.5;
6, Andrew Hoy/Moonfleet (AUS), 41.9;
7, Matt Ryan/Bonza Puzzle (AUS), 44.3;
8, Oliver Townend/Flint Curtis (GBR), 45.4;
9, William Fox-Pitt/Ballincoola (GBR) 48.2;
10, Paul Tapner/Inonothing (AUS), 48.5.

STANDINGS AFTER THREE LEGS OF THE HSBC FEI CLASSICS (KENTUCKY, BADMINTON & LUHMUHLEN):

1. William Fox Pitt (GBR) – 25 points (Differential Score – 51.00);
2. Phillip Dutton (USA) – 15 points (DS – 41.70);
3. Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) – 15 points (DS – 48.70);
4. Rebecca Holder (USA) – 12 points (DS – 47.30);
5. Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) – 12 points (DS – 49.80);
6. Frank Ostholt (GER) – 12 points (DS – 51.40);
7. Stuart Tinney (AUS) – 10 points (DS – 52.20);
8. Missy Ransehousen (USA) – 10 points (DS – 57.30);
9. Caroline Powell (NZL) – 8 points (DS – 52.80);
10.Stephen Bradley (USA) – 8 points (DS – 57.50).

The HSBC FEI CLASSICS is a new FEI series linking the five 4-Star Eventing competitions currently on the international calendar.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2008:

1, Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA) 24-27 April; 2, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) 1-4 May; 3, Luhmuhlen CCI**** presented by EON (Ger) 12-15 June; 4, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) 4-7 September; 5, FINAL - Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA) 22-26 October.

POINTS SYSTEM:

Points will be awarded to the top ten riders at each event as follows:

1st: 15 points
2nd: 12 points
3rd: 10 points
4th: 8 points
5th: 6 points
6th: 5 points
7th: 4 points
8th: 3 points
9th: 2 points
10th: 1 point

USEFUL INFORMATION

For further information on the fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ check out website www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Written by Malina Gueorguiev · Filed Under Europe, Malina Gueorguie, USA 
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