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<p data-start="233" data-end="363">Some of the greatest performances in eventing don&rsquo;t come with a trophy. That&rsquo;s where <strong data-start="318" data-end="351">High Performance Rating (HPR)</strong>&nbsp;comes in.</p>
<p data-start="365" data-end="640">HPR measures the quality of a performance, not just the finishing position. It looks at factors such as the field strength, the conditions, and the scoring difficulty. This means you don't always have to win to produce one of the best performances on record.</p>
<p data-start="642" data-end="862">At Burghley, there have been second and third-placed finishers that have produced performances that history says were good enough to win almost any other year.</p>
<p data-start="642" data-end="862">Here are the&nbsp;highest-rated Burghley performances that didn&rsquo;t win.</p>
<p data-start="642" data-end="862">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="864" data-end="867">
<h3 data-start="869" data-end="915">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="869" data-end="915">1. Piggy March &amp; Vanir Kamira &ndash; <strong data-start="902" data-end="913">101 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="916" data-end="924"><em data-start="916" data-end="922">2019</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="916" data-end="924"><strong data-start="927" data-end="946">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="916" data-end="924"><strong data-start="955" data-end="965">Score:</strong> 30.9</li>
<li data-start="916" data-end="924"><strong data-start="975" data-end="986">Phases:</strong> 26.9 dressage | 0 XC | 4 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1018" data-end="1205">Piggy&rsquo;s 101 rating would have been enough to win 8 of the 15 previous Burghleys on record (going back to 2008). Despite finishing second, this remains the best non-winning performance Burghley has ever seen.</p>
<p data-start="1018" data-end="1205">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1207" data-end="1210">
<h3 data-start="1212" data-end="1260">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1212" data-end="1260">2. Tim Price &amp; Ringwood Sky Boy &ndash; <strong data-start="902" data-end="913">101 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1261" data-end="1269"><em data-start="1261" data-end="1267">2015</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="1261" data-end="1269"><strong data-start="1272" data-end="1291">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="1261" data-end="1269"><strong data-start="1300" data-end="1310">Score:</strong> 28.6</li>
<li data-start="1261" data-end="1269"><strong data-start="1320" data-end="1331">Phases:</strong> 25.8 dressage | 2.8 XC time | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1370" data-end="1578">Just 2.8 time penalties put them behind&nbsp;<strong>Michael Jung and </strong><span class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><strong>La Biosthetique-Sam</strong> </span>who won their 4th five-star&nbsp;together. Three years later, Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy came back to win Burghley on the exact same HPR.</p>
<p data-start="1370" data-end="1578">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1580" data-end="1583">
<h3 data-start="1585" data-end="1623">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1585" data-end="1623">3. Tim Price &amp; Vitali &ndash; <strong data-start="902" data-end="913">101 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1624" data-end="1632"><em data-start="1624" data-end="1630">2024</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="1624" data-end="1632"><strong data-start="1635" data-end="1654">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="1624" data-end="1632"><strong data-start="1663" data-end="1673">Score:</strong> 29.5</li>
<li data-start="1624" data-end="1632"><strong data-start="1683" data-end="1694">Phases:</strong> 22.3 dressage | 3.2 XC time | 4 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1733" data-end="1906">Tim and Vitali&rsquo;s 101 would have won Burghley the year before, when they finished 4th. In 2024, they had to settle for 2nd - but the rating shows just how good they are. Next week, Tim and Vitali will return to Burghley for the fourth time.</p>
<p data-start="1733" data-end="1906">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1908" data-end="1911">
<h3 data-start="1913" data-end="1966">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1913" data-end="1966">4. Tom Jackson &amp; Capels Hollow Drift &ndash; <strong data-start="902" data-end="913">101 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1967" data-end="1975"><em data-start="1967" data-end="1973">2022</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="1967" data-end="1975"><strong data-start="1978" data-end="1997">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="1967" data-end="1975"><strong data-start="2006" data-end="2016">Score:</strong> 32.5</li>
<li data-start="1967" data-end="1975"><strong data-start="2026" data-end="2037">Phases:</strong> 28.9 dressage | 3.6 XC time | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="2076" data-end="2223">Tom Jackson added the fewest penalties, in the entire field, to their Burghley dressage score to climb from 13th after dressage to 2nd.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2076" data-end="2223">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2225" data-end="2228">
<h3 data-start="2230" data-end="2283">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2230" data-end="2283">5. Oliver Townend &amp; Ballaghmor Class &ndash; <strong data-start="902" data-end="913">101 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2284" data-end="2292"><em data-start="2284" data-end="2290">2019</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="2284" data-end="2292"><strong data-start="2295" data-end="2314">Final position:</strong> 3rd</li>
<li data-start="2284" data-end="2292"><strong data-start="2323" data-end="2333">Score:</strong> 31.3</li>
<li data-start="2284" data-end="2292"><strong data-start="2343" data-end="2354">Phases:</strong> 25.3 dressage | 2 XC time | 4 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="2391" data-end="2512">This performance is easily overlooked due to their third place finish, but Oliver&rsquo;s 2019 third place <strong data-start="2457" data-end="2509">rated </strong>higher than all three of his Burghley wins:&nbsp;100 (2023),&nbsp;100 (2017), and 96 (2009).</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2561" data-end="2564">
<h3 data-start="2566" data-end="2617">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2566" data-end="2617">6. Christopher Burton &amp; TS Jamaimo &ndash;<strong data-start="2604" data-end="2615"> 100 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2618" data-end="2626"><em data-start="2618" data-end="2624">2015</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="2618" data-end="2626"><strong data-start="2629" data-end="2648">Final position:</strong> 3rd</li>
<li data-start="2618" data-end="2626"><strong data-start="2657" data-end="2667">Score:</strong> 30.0</li>
<li data-start="2618" data-end="2626"><strong data-start="2677" data-end="2688">Phases:</strong> 30.0 dressage | 0 XC | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="2720" data-end="2884">The only rider to finish on his dressage score that year, Chris' 100-rated performance was pure class. They<span class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"> were also the first to do so in four years. This is the highest-rated Australian performance at Burghley on record.</span></p>
<p data-start="2720" data-end="2884">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2886" data-end="2889">
<h3 data-start="2891" data-end="2940">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2891" data-end="2940">7. Harry Meade &amp; Cavalier Crystal &ndash;<strong data-start="2928" data-end="2938"> 99 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2941" data-end="2949"><em data-start="2941" data-end="2947">2024</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="2941" data-end="2949"><strong data-start="2952" data-end="2971">Final position:</strong> 3rd</li>
<li data-start="2941" data-end="2949"><strong data-start="2980" data-end="2990">Score:</strong> 31.3</li>
<li data-start="2941" data-end="2949"><strong data-start="3000" data-end="3011">Phases:</strong> 31.3 dressage | 0 XC | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="3043" data-end="3190">Cavalier Crystal&rsquo;s 99 was the highest-rated performance of Harry&rsquo;s career<strong data-start="3073" data-end="3120"> </strong>and it was their&nbsp;second time on the Burghley podium. This year, they will be returning with the aim of finally winning.</p>
<p data-start="3043" data-end="3190">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3192" data-end="3195">
<h3 data-start="3197" data-end="3242">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3197" data-end="3242">8. Piggy March &amp; Vanir Kamira &ndash; 99 HPR</h3>
<p data-start="3243" data-end="3251"><em data-start="3243" data-end="3249">2017</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="3243" data-end="3251"><strong data-start="3254" data-end="3273">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="3243" data-end="3251"><strong data-start="3282" data-end="3292">Score:</strong> 32.3</li>
<li data-start="3243" data-end="3251"><strong data-start="3302" data-end="3313">Phases:</strong> 29.1 dressage | 3.2 XC time | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="3352" data-end="3528">Their first 5* together, and they were only 0.7 penalties from winning. That near miss set the stage for later success: winning Badminton in 2019 and Burghley in 2022.</p>
<p data-start="3352" data-end="3528">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3530" data-end="3533">
<h3 data-start="3535" data-end="3584">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3535" data-end="3584">9. David Doel &amp; Galileo Nieuwmoed &ndash; <strong data-start="3572" data-end="3582">99 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="3585" data-end="3593"><em data-start="3585" data-end="3591">2023</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="3585" data-end="3593"><strong data-start="3596" data-end="3615">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="3585" data-end="3593"><strong data-start="3624" data-end="3634">Score:</strong> 33.7</li>
<li data-start="3585" data-end="3593"><strong data-start="3644" data-end="3655">Phases:</strong> 33.7 dressage | 0 XC | 0 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="3687" data-end="3871">Their second time finishing on their dressage score at 5* level that year and just 0.7 penalties behind the winners; Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. David and Galileo Nieuwmoed are entered for this year's Burghley and will be one to watch on Saturday's cross country.</p>
<p data-start="3687" data-end="3871">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3873" data-end="3876">
<h3 data-start="3878" data-end="3921">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3878" data-end="3921">10. Andrew Nicholson &amp; Nereo &ndash; <strong data-start="3909" data-end="3919">&nbsp;99 HPR</strong></h3>
<p data-start="3922" data-end="3930"><em data-start="3922" data-end="3928">2013</em></p>
<ul>
<li data-start="3922" data-end="3930"><strong data-start="3933" data-end="3952">Final position:</strong> 2nd</li>
<li data-start="3922" data-end="3930"><strong data-start="3961" data-end="3971">Score:</strong> 33.5</li>
<li data-start="3922" data-end="3930"><strong data-start="3981" data-end="3992">Phases:</strong> 27.5 dressage | 2 XC time | 4 SJ</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="4029" data-end="4251">The highest-rated of Nereo&rsquo;s three Burghley runner-up finishes - 94 (2016) and 97 (2011). One of the most consistent 5* horses of his era &mdash; but Burghley was the one that got away.</p>
<p data-start="4029" data-end="4251">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="4253" data-end="4256">
<h2 data-start="4258" data-end="4278">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="4258" data-end="4278">Why HPR Matters</h2>
<p data-start="4279" data-end="4528">Wins are remembered, but HPR shows us the performances that were exceptional, even without the trophy. Burghley has produced moments where a 2nd or 3rd place was a world-class performance, sometimes even harder than winning in another year.</p>
<p data-start="4279" data-end="4528">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
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The Highest Rated Burghley Performances That Didn’t Win

<p data-start="378" data-end="669">This year, <strong data-start="490" data-end="541">14 riders are making their Burghley debut</strong>. For some, it&rsquo;s a long-awaited chance with experienced 5* horses; for others, it&rsquo;s going to be the biggest weekend of their career so far.</p>
<p data-start="671" data-end="714">Here&rsquo;s how this year&rsquo;s debutants line up:</p>
<p data-start="671" data-end="714">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h3 data-start="721" data-end="754">1. Aimee Penny - PSH Encore &amp;&nbsp;PSH Gazelle</h3>
<p data-start="755" data-end="1099">Aimee Penny makes her Burghley debut with PSH Encore and PSH Gazelle, adding another CCI5* start to a record that already includes completions at Pau and Luhm&uuml;hlen. PSH Encore has been top-10 at Blair Castle in the CCI4*-L (2022) and was top-25 at Blenheim last season. Aimee also brings PSH Gazelle, who completed Pau last season and has a strong record at CCI4* level.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="1368" data-end="1406">2. Cassie Sanger - Redfield Fyre</h3>
<p data-start="1407" data-end="1812">At just 20 years old, North Carolina&rsquo;s Cassie Sanger is the youngest rider in this year&rsquo;s field. She made her 5* debut at Kentucky in the spring where she finished inside the top-20. Since then, she has been based with Ros Canter in the UK. Since 2008, only 11 riders under 21 have started at Burghley. Cassie becomes the 12th and the youngest rider for USA.<br><br><span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">3. Alexander Tordoff - Cool Jack</span></p>
<p data-start="1858" data-end="2180">Alexander Tordoff partners the 17-year-old Cool Jack for his Burghley debut. This pair completed Pau last year with a clear cross-country and just two rails down on the final day. Alex has produced Cool Jack since he was a five-year-old, and together they&rsquo;ve climbed the levels &mdash; from their first Advanced to their first four-star, five-star, and now their Burghley debut.</p>
<p data-start="1858" data-end="2180"><span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">4. Christoph Wahler - D&rsquo;Accord FRH</span></p>
<p data-start="2228" data-end="2609">Germany hasn&rsquo;t had a Burghley runner since 2018, but Olympian and World team gold medallist Christoph Wahler will end the wait. With top-10 finishes at both Kentucky 2024 and Badminton 2025 &mdash; making the time cross-country at both &mdash; Wahler and D&rsquo;Accord FRH are in a good position for their Burghley debut.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="2616" data-end="2664">5. Daniel Alderson - Blarney Monbeg Pepper</h3>
<p data-start="2665" data-end="3008">Daniel Alderson makes his 5* debut after an impressive fourth place at Bramham CCI4*-L this summer, adding just 0.4 penalties to their dressage score. The 10-year-old Blarney Monbeg Pepper has jumped double clear at all three of his CCI4*-L runs and has never picked up a cross-country penalty. This combination is one to watch.</p>
<h3 data-start="3015" data-end="3047">6. Elspeth Bryce - Lacoste</h3>
<p data-start="3048" data-end="3372">At 23 years old, Elspeth Bryce makes her 5* debut with Lacoste, the only horse she has ever competed internationally. Together they have made 19 international starts, and this will be their 20th. They jumped a double clear at Burnham Market CCI4*-S and had a top-25 finish at Burgham this summer.</p>
<h3 data-start="3379" data-end="3414">7. Jack Mantel - Jack Daniels</h3>
<p data-start="3415" data-end="3758">Jack Mantel made his 5* debut at Badminton this spring with a clear round cross-country. He arrives at Burghley in strong form after jumping double clear at Burgham. From a non-horsey background, Jack now runs a competition and sales yard in Northumberland alongside his partner and horse&rsquo;s co-owner, Jack-Thomas Watson.&nbsp;And yes, that does make it three Jacks on the team.</p>
<h3 data-start="3765" data-end="3808">8. Kate Rocher-Smith - Dassett Select</h3>
<p data-start="3809" data-end="4142">Kate Rocher-Smith and Dassett Select return for their second 5* after making their debut at Badminton this spring, where they jumped clear. With the eleven-year-old's cross-country consistency and Kate's eventing experience should stand to them across Burghley's rolling hills.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="4149" data-end="4181">9. Katie Magee - Treworra</h3>
<p data-start="4182" data-end="4529">With completions at both Badminton and Pau already, Katie Magee and Treworra will tackle their first Burghley. Having finished 11th at Badminton this spring, they come here as the newly crowned British Open Champions from Hartpury.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="4536" data-end="4578">10. Laura Birley - Bob Cotton Bandit</h3>
<p data-start="4579" data-end="4858">Now based in Northern Ireland, Laura Birley brings the 17-year-old Bob Cotton Bandit. Together, they&rsquo;ve already contested both Luhm&uuml;hlen and Pau at 5* and most recently, they jumped clear cross-country at Burgham CCI4*-S.</p>
<h3 data-start="4865" data-end="4904">11. Lucy Latta - RCA Patron Saint</h3>
<p data-start="4905" data-end="5296">Ireland&rsquo;s Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint made headlines with their 2nd place finish at Badminton 2024 on their 5* debut, climbing from 46th after dressage thanks to the fastest cross-country round of the day. After withdrawing from Badminton earlier this year, this will be only their second start at the level &mdash; one the Irish have been patiently waiting for.</p>
<h3 data-start="5303" data-end="5338">12. Tara Dixon - Master Smart</h3>
<p data-start="5339" data-end="5701">Based in Northern Ireland, Tara Dixon &mdash; daughter of Olympic rider Karen Dixon &mdash; makes her 5* debut with Master Smart. The combination have 16 CCI4* starts under their belt with their experiencing showed at Burnham market this spring when they jumped double clear for 14th place.&nbsp;</p>
<h3 data-start="5708" data-end="5742">13. Tayla Mason - Centennial</h3>
<p data-start="5743" data-end="6040">Tayla Mason brings Centennial for their fourth 5* start, but first at Burghley. They impressed at Badminton this spring with a clear cross-country and a top-20 finish, proving they can handle the toughest tracks. Consistent at 4*, they&rsquo;ll be looking to keep climbing at Burghley.</p>
<h3 data-start="6047" data-end="6086">14. Tom Strawson - Public Address</h3>
<p data-start="6087" data-end="6424">Tom Strawson and Public Address step up to their first 5* after a string of strong 4* results this spring, including 7th at Thoresby CCI4*-S and 6th at Ballindenisk CCI4*-L. Burghley will also mark Tom's 30th international start.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="6426" data-end="6429">
<h2 data-start="6431" data-end="6456">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="6431" data-end="6456">New names, big stage</h2>
<p data-start="6457" data-end="6673">From Lucy Latta&rsquo;s fairytale Badminton to Christoph Wahler&rsquo;s German return, from Cassie Sanger&rsquo;s youth to Daniel Alderson&rsquo;s perfect cross-country record, this years debutants bring fresh stories to the 2025 field.</p>
<p data-start="6675" data-end="6825">Some will be here to gain experience. Some may be able to challenge the leaderboard. Either way, they&rsquo;re names to watch when Defender Burghley gets underway.</p>
<p data-start="6675" data-end="6825">&nbsp;</p>
<section class="wysiwyg col-span-12 lg:col-span-6 lg:col-start-4"><hr>
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</section>

Defender Burghley 2025: Meet the Debutants

<p data-start="175" data-end="559">Defender Burghley is nearing &mdash; and the<a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/burghley_early_2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> has spoken. With Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent&rsquo;s late entry bringing the drama, this year&rsquo;s line-up is stacked with storylines.</p>
<p data-start="175" data-end="559">Here&rsquo;s how the top contenders stack up.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="561" data-end="564">
<h3 data-start="566" data-end="623">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="566" data-end="623">1. Ros Canter &amp; Lordships Graffalo &ndash; 47% win chance,</h3>
<p data-start="625" data-end="1092">The defending champions are not just back, they&rsquo;re chasing history. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo could become only the second combination to win Burghley back-to-back. They hold the record finishing score here (23.6), arrive as reigning European Champions, and already added a Badminton title to their CV this spring. Fresh from their CCI4*-S win in Hartpury last month on 22.8, the Prediction Centre has them as heavy favourites.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1094" data-end="1097">
<h3 data-start="1099" data-end="1157">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1099" data-end="1157">2. Oliver Townend &amp; Cooley Rosalent &ndash; 16% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="216" data-end="681">Oliver is a nine-time 5* winner, three-time Burghley champion, and simply put &mdash; he knows how to win. Cooley Rosalent is only 11 years old and already has a 5* victory on her record (Defender Kentucky 2024). Last year at Burghley, their campaign ended early with a fall at the Rolex Corners, but they came back in style this spring with a runner-up finish at Badminton, just behind Graffalo. Having come that close, they won&rsquo;t want to settle for second again.</p>
<p data-start="216" data-end="681">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1502" data-end="1505">
<h3 data-start="1507" data-end="1557">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1507" data-end="1557">3. Emily King &amp; Valmy Biats &ndash; 11% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="1559" data-end="1956">Emily King and Valmy Biats return for their third Burghley. The event hasn&rsquo;t been kind to them in the past &mdash; a frangible pin in 2023 and an early XC penalty in 2024 cut their chances short &mdash; but this is still a proven 5* partnership with two Badminton top-5 finishes. A podium here would mark Emily&rsquo;s first at 5* level, and a win would be the biggest moment of her career so far.</p>
<p data-start="1559" data-end="1956">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="1958" data-end="1961">
<h3 data-start="1963" data-end="2007">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="1963" data-end="2007">4. Tim Price &amp; Vitali &ndash; 8% win chance</h3>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Tim Price &mdash; a Burghley veteran, a previous winner (2018), and one of the most consistent performers at this venue. Vitali has already had three top-5 finishes here, including second place last year, and they arrive fresh from a win in Aachen against some of the best in the world. They hold the Burghley dressage record (18.7 in 2022) and have never had a cross-country jumping penalty together. It's always a question of showjumping for Vitali, and while Badminton didn't quite go their way, they only had one down at this venue last year. Maybe it&rsquo;s their lucky arena?</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2464" data-end="2467">
<h3 data-start="2469" data-end="2525">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2469" data-end="2525">5. Austin O&rsquo;Connor &amp; Colorado Blue &ndash; 3% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="2527" data-end="2926">If Burghley comes down to cross-country brilliance, keep your eyes on Austin O&rsquo;Connor and Colorado Blue. The Maryland 5* winners (2023) and Irish Olympic stars (best of the Irish in both Tokyo and Paris) finished 3rd at Badminton this spring. Salty is the highest-rated Irish horse in history and thrives on a good Saturday speed and stamina test. If they&rsquo;re close after dressage, they&rsquo;ll climb.</p>
<p data-start="2527" data-end="2926">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="2928" data-end="2931">
<h3 data-start="2933" data-end="2990">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="2933" data-end="2990">6. Harry Meade &amp; Annaghmore Valoner &ndash; 2% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="2992" data-end="3302">World No. 1 Harry Meade has unfinished business &mdash; both at Burghley and at 5* level overall &mdash; and Annaghmore Valoner could be the one to deliver it. Fourth here last year on the mare&rsquo;s 5* debut, they impressed across all three phases, but it was their clear inside the time cross-country that really turned heads. Could this finally be the combination to give Harry his long-awaited first 5* win?</p>
<p data-start="2992" data-end="3302">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3304" data-end="3307">
<h3 data-start="3309" data-end="3364">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3309" data-end="3364">7. Harry Meade &amp; Cavalier Crystal &ndash; 2% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="208" data-end="686">Harry&rsquo;s second ride, Cavalier Crystal, has been third at Burghley two years in a row and added a fourth place at Badminton this spring. They have finished on their dressage score in their last two 5* starts. If they do it again, they&rsquo;d become only the sixth combination to FOD three or more times at 5* level since 2008. Of the five to have achieved that, four have gone on to win a 5*. If Cavalier Crystal can FOD again here, history suggests a 5* victory is on the cards.</p>
<p data-start="208" data-end="686">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3654" data-end="3657">
<h3 data-start="3659" data-end="3709">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3659" data-end="3709">8. Gaspard Maksud &amp; Zaragoza &ndash; 2% win chance</h3>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza finished sixth at Burghley last year. This will be their fifth 5* together, including the World Championships in Pratoni in 2022, where they finished inside the top ten. France hasn&rsquo;t had a rider on a 5* podium since Pau in 2022, and no French rider has ever stood on the Burghley podium in the modern era (since 2008). Zaragoza is strong across all three phases &mdash; could this be the year?</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="3962" data-end="3965">
<h3 data-start="3967" data-end="4023">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="3967" data-end="4023">9. Christoph Wahler &amp; D&rsquo;Accord FRH &ndash; 2% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="4025" data-end="4311">Christoph Wahler and D&rsquo;Accord FRH are the first German pair to line up at Burghley since 2018. With top-10 finishes at both Kentucky 2024 and Badminton 2025, they arrive as experienced 5* campaigners for their Burghley debut. They&rsquo;ve already made the time at the level twice before, and if they do it again here, we could see a Saturday climb.</p>
<p data-start="4025" data-end="4311">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="4313" data-end="4316">
<h3 data-start="4318" data-end="4379">&nbsp;</h3>
<h3 data-start="4318" data-end="4379">10. Samantha Lissington &amp; Lord Seekonig &ndash; 1% win chance</h3>
<p data-start="4381" data-end="4709">If you haven&rsquo;t already heard, this is Sam Lissington&rsquo;s season. Badminton didn&rsquo;t go to plan for this pair, but they rerouted to Bicton CCI4*-S and delivered an impressive 2nd place, only beaten by Olympic champions Laura Collett and London 52. Lord Seekonig was 11th at Luhm&uuml;hlen 5* last year and now steps up again as Sam aims for another big result. Sam also claimed her first-ever 5* podium earlier this year at Luhm&uuml;hlen with Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ. She&rsquo;s in form and she&rsquo;s hungry.</p>
<p data-start="4381" data-end="4709">&nbsp;</p>
<hr data-start="4711" data-end="4714">
<h2 data-start="4716" data-end="4735">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-start="4716" data-end="4735">Roll on Defender Burghley 2025</h2>
<p data-start="4737" data-end="5075">Yes, Ros and Lordships Graffalo lead the way &mdash; but Townend&rsquo;s late entry, Price&rsquo;s consistency, King&rsquo;s&nbsp; potential, and a chasing pack all add layers to the story.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="5077" data-end="5290">As always, Defender Burghley is going to be a good one.</p>
<p data-start="5077" data-end="5290">&nbsp;</p>
<hr>
<h2 data-start="150" data-end="200">&nbsp;</h2>
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