Aussie Eventers Aiming for Top Honours at Aachen

Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani at the 2013 Badminton Horse Trials (Photograph: Kit Houghton/EA)

The composition of Australia’s eventing team has been released ahead of the first day of competition later today at CHIO Aachen. This event is also the fourth round of the FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series.

The Australian team will compete in the following order:

1. Paul Tapner	Wickstead Didgeridoo	Paul and Georgina Tapner, Vicki Mace, Fred and Penny Barker
2. Bill Levett	Silk Stone	Francis Birk
3. Chris Burton	Holstein Park Leilani	Jean and Jade Findlay
4. Andrew Hoy	Cheeky Calimbo	Christiane Classen

Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks (owned by Murray Lamperd and Jade Wishart) will compete in the individual event.

There are 42 combinations from 10 nations competing in the eventing competition at Aachen which begins with dressage followed by jumping later today. The event will draw to a conclusion with Saturday’s cross country phase.

Australia finished in the bronze medal position at its most recent Nations Cup outing at Houghton Hall but will have to overcome some fierce competition if they are to improve upon that standing with New Zealand and home team Germany both presenting strong teams.

2012 individual champion Chris Burton has mixed emotions heading into this year’s competition as it will be the final outing with the 17 year old mare and London Olympic mount HP Leilani who is set to return to Australia shortly after the event.

“Excited to be at Aachen but very sad that this will be my last show on HP Leilani. What a great horse she has been,” he said.

Meanwhile Australia’s Boyd Exell has started his campaign for a fifth consecutive Aachen driving title and is sitting in second after the dressage phase.

Earlier Vaulter Krystle Lander recorded a score 6.45 to finish in 22^nd position in the female individual event.

By: Michelle Cook/Equestrian Australia

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