Five star horses of the future shine in the Gatcombe sun

The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse series is a hugely popular competition that culminates in the final held every year at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (5 – 8 September 2019). It is widely recognised as the shop window for the potential ‘five star’ horses of the future. The aim of the series is to encourage breeders and trainers to produce and present the type of young horse which is considered to be the best material to make a world-class three-day event horse.

The judges look for an athletic, loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique and the correct attitude. The winner is the horse with the highest overall marks from four sections:

Section I – Dressage (marked out of 30)

Section II – Jumping (marked out 40)

Section III – Confirmations and Quality (market out of 20)

After the first three sections the top ten horses are invited to the fourth and final phase in the main arena which this year was judged by Annabel Scrimgeour, who does not see the horses in the other phases of judging so that she is unbiased.

Section IV- Suitability & Potential (1-10 marks)

After this concluding phase the scores are all added together to produce the final leader board. The first three horses qualify to compete in the championship held at Land Rover Burghley in September.

MHS Pop Star ridden by Tom McEwen eventually took first place. MHS Pop Star is owned by Mr and Mrs Fred Barker and is a 17.0hh bay gelding by OBOS Quality. Their winning score was 92. Annabel Scrimgeour, judge of the final phase, said of the winning horse, “he is a big mover with a lovely loose action.”

In second place was Quidam De Lux ridden by Stephen Heal and owned by Mrs Zoe – CG Eventing. The 16.3hh, chestnut gelding is by Boswell Mr Heartbr. The pair secured a second place finish with a score of 91.

Evita AP ridden by Sarah Bullimore took third place with a score of 88. Evita AP is a five-year-old, 16.2hh dark bay mare, one of only two mares in the final ten, she is owned by Sarah and her husband Brett Bullimore.

The final presentation of prizes were made by Event Director Peter Phillips.

Four Year Olds

The four year old Burghley Young Event Horse competition was held in the Harrington Arena with three horses qualifying for the final at Land Rover Burghley.

First place was awarded to Klabatsoe, ridden by Stephen Heal, a bay gelding 16.1hh by Elvaro owned by Mrs Zoe CG Eventing.

Second place was Quiwi Sprite ridden by Sarah Bullimore and owned by Sarah and Brett Bullimore, a 16.2hh bay mare by Quiwi Dream.

In third place Canada’s Kilmountain Coda ridden by Kathryn Robinson a 16.2hh bay gelding by Lucky Valier and owned by the rider.

Of the winner judge Annabel Scrimgeour commented “This is quality horse, very athletic and good with his hind leg in canter, he is well balanced and there is a lot to like about him.” For full results of both these classes see www.bdwp.co.uk.