1 Sep 2016

Todd set to put Olympics behind him

10:10 am on 1 September 2016

New Zealand has a full contingent of riders competing at the Burghley Horse trials in England this weekend.

Just a couple of weeks after their disappointing fourth place finish at the Rio Olympics, Sir Mark Todd and Tim and Jonelle Price are competing for the 114 thousand dollar first prize, along with Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell, Dan Jocelyn and Blyth Tait.

Sir Mark Todd

Sir Mark Todd Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Todd says the Olympic disappoinment still hurts, "It's going to be sore for a wee while I think, it is just another competition and sure it was an important one that we'd had four years buildup to, but like you say you've just got to get on with it and today's another day and this is another competition."

Husband and wife team Tim and Jonelle Price have a trio of horses there - Tim with Bango and Ringwood Sky Boy, and Jonelle with Classic Moet.

Tim said "It will be a good week, those horses are all on good form."

Former Burghley winner Caroline Powell has Onwards and Upwards, while Blyth Tait has Bear Necessity V, Dan Jocelyn has Dassett Cool Touch and Sir Mark Todd has NZB Campino. Andrew Nicholson has Nereo entered and will be looking to claim another slice of history.

A win for him would be a fairy tale result. Aside from owning the historic hat-trick of wins, he is coming back from a fall in 2015 that resulted in a serious neck injury which in most cases causes paralysis.

New Zealand has a rich history at Burghley, with Nicholson the only person to hold a unique hat-trick of wins, with two other victories also to his credit. Todd and Tait are also multiple winners, with Caroline Powell also on the role of honour.

New Zealand equestrian Andrew Nicholson wins his third straight Burghley title in 2014.

New Zealand equestrian Andrew Nicholson wins his third straight Burghley title in 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand eventing selector Judy Bradwell won on Don Camillo in 1970, with other notable winners including HRH Princess Anne aboard Doublet and long-time cross country designer Captain Mark Phillips taking it out in 1973 aboard Maid Marion.

The FEI Classics Series also wraps up at Burghley. Tim Price is the best placed of the Kiwis to pounce, sitting in second place behind Michael Jung of Germany who will not be contesting the final event.

However, Jung sits on a mighty 42 points, thanks to wins at the Rolex and Badminton, so is untouchable. Price is on 18, with Clarke Johnstone on 16 in third. Sir Mark Todd is in seventh place on 13 points.

Burghley starts with the first day of dressage tonight.