Canter gallops to glory

Lincolnshire’s golden girl Ros Canter triumphs at Defender Burghley, taking home a first prize of £110,000. By Barbara Young.

Fresh from claiming Olympic team gold in Paris just six weeks before, Ros Canter took top spot at this year’s Defender Burghley, finishing on a score of 23.6 with Archie and Michele Saul’s charismatic 12-year-old Lordships Gruffalo (Walter).

“If there was ever an event and a horse that were well-matched, this was it,” said Ros, who is based near Louth and has been competing here since her Pony Club days. “Defender Burghley has always been an event I felt I hadn’t got quite right and it was great to be able to bring a horse like Walter and to let rip. I was determined to enjoy it – I sometimes struggle to enjoy top-level competitions – but this week I felt I got the balance right.”

Ros was also presented with the Avebury Trophy for the best ridden cross-country round with Lordships Gruffalo, with whom she also won this year’s Badminton title.

Runner-up was New Zealander Tim Price on Joe and Alex Giannamore’s Vitali, with Harry Meade third and fourth on two mares, Cavalier Crystal and Annaghmore Valoner, plus 12th on Superstition.

“It’s been a whirlwind week trying to do all three horses justice, and so this is a great outcome,” said Harry, whose late father Richard won Burghley in 1960.

Event director Martyn Johnson summed up the competition: “It’s been a great weekend for five-star sport. We always look to improve and future-proof this event.

“It’s a balancing act to keep it in the traditions everyone loves while keeping it fresh and relevant.”

Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse
Piggy March took the top spot in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse final for four-year-olds at Defender Burghley with Quantum March, who belongs to Lady Gillian Aldous, Ann Tolhurst and the March Stud. The German-bred Holsteiner gelding by Verdi out of Electra III, by Connor, sealed the class with a rousing gallop in front of judge, Yogi Breisner.

In the five-year-old class final, Michael Jackson and Oscar (by the KWPN stallion Kitt SB out of Flair, by Quasimodo) took top honours to finish on a final score of 87.5, having won the four-year-old championship last year.

Next year’s date for Defender Burghley has been confirmed as 4th-7th September 2025. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Photographs: DBHT/Peter Nixon

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