A pair of Britain’s eventing superstars are in the lead after dressage at Hambro Sport Horses Burgham International Horse Trials (28 July-1 August).

Oxfordshire’s Izzy Taylor is in first place in the principal Hambro Sport Horses CCI4*-S class with an excellent score of 22.3 aboard her own and Mark Sartori’s Monkeying Around.

“To get a mark like that despite a slightly naughty moment shows just how talented he is!” said Izzy.

The 10-year-old – winner of the only CCI4*-L run in the UK last year at Burnham Market – spooked in the early part of his test, but the majority of the work was of such high quality that he took the lead from Nicola Wilson (James and Jo Lambert’s Coolparks Sarco, 24.8), regardless.

Nicola said: “Coolparks Sarco was new to the yard at the beginning of this year, and he’s lovely. He’s got so much exuberance and power and is an absolute pleasure to train. That test was probably the best he could do at the moment – this is his first time at this level – and I was thrilled with him.”

Hambro Sport Horses Burgham is hosting the British National Championships this year, following the cancellation of the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, and Nicola added: “Well done Burgham and thank you very much to the committee here for taking on all the National Championship classes. It would have been so disappointing for everyone to miss out on them and it’s amazing to have them here in the North of England.”

Olympic reserve rider Piggy March tops the Howard Russell Construction Ltd CCI3*-S with the March Stud’s Sportsfield Top Notch with a dressage mark of 27.9.

“He’s been competing at a level above this, but has had a holiday after a busy spring and so this was a nice way to bring him back,” said Piggy. “I was pleased with him today.

“I like running horses here at Burgham, it’s a good show with good ground and nice courses, and I’m looking forward to the cross-country tomorrow.”

While Nicola Wilson is second to Piggy in the CCI3*-S with her recent Bicton CCI4*-L winner JL Dublin, owned by Deirdre Johnston and James and Jo Lambert, on 28.9, New Zealand rider Caroline Powell is in third place behind Nicola in the CCI4*-S. Caroline, riding Cameron Crawford’s Up Up And Away, scored 25.2.

The action at Hambro Sport Horses Burgham continues tomorrow (Friday, 30 July) with CCI3*-S showjumping and cross-country, international and national championship dressage, and national BE100 and novice classes.

Tickets for Hambro Sport Horses Burgham must be purchased online up to 11.59pm the night before and are not available on the gate. For those unable to attend, the cross-country action on 31 July and 1 August will be shown on Horse & Country TV’s live-streaming platform, H&C+: https://app.horseandcountry.tv/browse-eventing 

> Purchase tickets online

> Full competition timetable

> View the official event programme

> View times and full results from the competition so far

> Walk the Cross Country Courses on Cross Country App

Keep up with all the news and results from Hambro Sport Horses Burgham via our website, Facebook page  and Instagram page and on Hambro Sport Horses’ own social media channels @HambroSportHorses.

Pictured: Izzy Taylor (Monkeying Around) and Piggy French (Sportsfield Top Notch) courtesy of Rupert Gibson Photography and Lottie Elizabeth Photography respectively.

Piggy March Sportsfield Top Notch LEP