A personal best, a skewbald star and a debutante on a home-bred – catch up on Burghley’s Thursday dressage action

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials dressage started today (5 September) – and it kicked off with a bang when the second rider into the arena, Ros Canter, punched in a sub-20 test. She wasn’t headed all day, but there was plenty of other excitement and several interesting horses to enjoy.

Read on to catch up on all the action…

Ros Canter set a new personal best with a score of 19.9 to take the lead.

• What has Ros been working on with Izilot DHI?

Tom Jackson put in a solid test in the second group with Capels Hollow Drift and holds third overnight, behind Pippa Funnell with MCS Maverick.

• Find out what pulled Tom’s marks down slightly

A pair who were on the podium at Badminton Horse Trials also kicked off their campaign this morning.

• How did Alex Bragg and Quindiva fare?

Max Warburton put in the best test of the British debutants today.

• What has Max worked on to achieve his mark of 28.9?

Fellow British first-timer Lizzie Baugh also took to the arena this afternoon with her home-bred B Exclusive.

• What was “Buzz” like as a foal?

Further down the leaderboard, some characterful horses were in action.

• Susie Berry talks about the mare Irene Leva, who excels in the cross-country phase

Emma Hyslop-Webb’s ride is one of the youngest in the field.

• What does Jeweetwel’s unusual name mean?

Debutant Declan Cullen is the oldest rider here and rides the skewbald Seavaghan Ash.

• Why does Declan have a special connection to this horse?

Finally, riders have been giving their first reactions to Derek di Grazia’s cross-country course.

• What do the riders think of the track?

Check back in for more Burghley Horse Trials dressage tomorrow.

• Dressage times

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