Triumph for Townend in clean sweep for Britain

Oliver Townend claimed the second Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials title of his eventing career as British riders dominated a thrilling final day’s action in Lincolnshire.

The Shropshire-based Yorkshireman became a first British winner at Burghley since William Fox-Pitt six years ago as he guided 10-year-old Ballaghmor Class to victory and a £90,000 top prize.

Despite having one fence down and collecting a time fault, Townend did just enough to edge out Piggy French and Vanir Kamira after they jumped clear to pile pressure on Townend.

The 34-year-old, who helped Great Britain to team gold at last month’s European Championships in Poland, held his nerve and claimed a second Burghley triumph eight years after his first.

French finished 1.3 penalties behind Townend on 46.9, with reigning British Open and Event Riders Masters champion Gemma Tattersall taking third aboard Arctic Soul after they had a fence down, and Tom McEwen completing all four top places for British riders with Toledo De Kerser.

Townend won Badminton and Burghley in 2009 – the last rider to achieve that feat at British eventing’s top two competitions – and his latest achievement provided another memorable day for new Great Britain performance coach Chris Bartle.

Bartle, who took the reins this year after masterminding Germany’s domination of world eventing, has already overseen European team gold and now witnessed a Burghley sweep of the top positions.

Milnathort’s Louisa Milne Home’s campaign ended in disappointment when she was forced to withdraw at the final day horse inspection.

King Eider turned in an impressive performance in Saturday’s cross country stage, accruing no jumping faults over a tough course.

Time faults meant they couldn’t build on their postdressage standing of 26th, but that left the Scot delighted with the performance of her horse.

Oliver Townend: partnered Ballaghmor Class to victory.