“You Dream it Could Be You, But it Just As Easily Might Never Be”: Piggy March Takes 2022 Burghley Victory

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials‘ core team has seen plenty of changes this year: not only is there a new director in Martyn Johnson, who’s previously been at the helm of Burgham International in Northumberland, there’s also a new course designer — Kentucky’s Derek di Grazia, making his English debut — and, finally, a new showjumping designer in Paul Connor, who had the unenviable job of building a track today that would shake up the standings without punishing tired horses.

Of course, this isn’t Paul’s first rodeo:he took the reins at last year’s Burghley replacement at Bicton, and so was well aware of the interplay between tough terrain tests and athletic ability the following day. Still, though, he took the time to get to know Burghley’s uniquely undulating grass arena, siting his fences amongst its gentles dips and mounds in order to up the ante. And up the ante it did: just seven horse-and-rider combinations of the 28 starters would secure a clear round, and just six would do so without adding time penalties.

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Article written by: Tilly Berendt