Equestrianism: Polly Stockton finishes second at 2009 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Sep 10 2009 Chester Chronicle

MALPAS eventer Polly Stockton admitted she surpassed all expectations at the 2009 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after finishing an impressive second behind fellow Brit Oliver Townend.

The 35-year-old, aboard Westwood Poser, was well outside the top three after the opening day dressage and the cross country, lying sixth.

Australian Sam Griffiths was second going into the final show jumping round. However, unlike the faultless Stockton, he clipped a fence and gifted the Cheshire rider the runners-up spot as Townend, on Carousel Quest, inched ever closer to the HSBC FEI Classics title after adding the Burghley crown to the one he won at Badminton.

Stockton, a 2012 London Olympic Games hopeful, said: “I had a really good last round and to get through it clear was brilliant, but I didn’t expect to rise that far up the ranking.

“It’s a surprise to do so well on such a young horse but I knew that if things went to plan then he would do well for us. He really got stuck-in and produced some really good performances so I’m delighted with how he performed.”

Fellow Cheshire rider Emily Gilruth, aboard Ashdale Cruise Master, moved up the rankings to finish 26th on her second successive year at the Lincolnshire event.

The 32-year-old, from Threapwood, said: “It was a really good weekend for me apart from a couple of little errors that ended up costing me a few points.”

Michael Owen, from Malpas, suffered differing fortunes on King Bob and retired during the cross country stage.

The HSBC FEI Classics unites the top end of the international eventing circuit – namely the five four-star competitions. The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is the penultimate event in the HSBC FEI Classics.