Bettina Hoy gets Burghley campaign off to a strong start

Germany’s Bettina Hoy produced the only sub-40pen dressage score to lead on the opening day of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Riding Designer 10, Bettina finished on a score of 34.5 pen – 8pen ahead of Australia’s Bill Levett (Improvise) in second.

“I think Designer must have been having a little chat with [my other horse] Seigneur Medicott, who usually does the better test, as he felt great in there,” said Hoy. “I’ve developed a special programme for him in the warm-up because he can get a bit tense. Every time I feel him tighten, I go into rising trot and that helps.

“Burghley holds a special place in my heart and, although it won’t be a dressage competition, I know Designer can do it,” she added. Paul Sims was the best of the Brits on day one, lying in third on Glengarnock with 46.6pen.