Boyd and Neville 12th after First Day of Dressage at Burghley

Neville looking the part. Horse Junkies United photo

Nev went in and did a pretty good dressage test at Burghley. I was very happy with the way he warmed up - he was really trying. In hindsight I probably warmed him up 10 minutes too long, as he was a little flat, especially in the trot work. All of my dressage coaches (Bettina, Mark & Silva) agreed that I should have pushed him a bit more in the trot work. He finished on a 49, which left him in 12th on the first day. (Results)

I felt pretty bad for my USA teammate Will Coleman who had to withdraw in the final warm up. Twizzel all of a sudden looked a little uneven and Will decided to pull him out. After spending the last two weeks with Will, I know how devastated he must be. He has put so much into this event, moving to England for 6 weeks, training harder than he ever has before, and the horse is in magnificent form.
I enjoyed a cocktail party at the Burghley House last night with some of the Neville Syndicate members. It is an amazing backdrop to this great event. The Neville syndicate also joined me on a course walk this morning (photo above) as I wheeled the course. It looks to be a long way around over some bloody big fences! I look forward to walking the course this afternoon with my jumping super coach, Phillip Dutton.

Boyd

I also took the folks from Horse Junkies United on a little course walk and they've got photos and videos on their website - check it out!

Also have a look at some fun facts about Neville!

Photo by Samantha Clark via EventingNation.com

Arrived Safe and Sound at Burghley

I had a great dressage lesson first thing this morning with Bettina Hoy at Headley Stud and Nev looks to be in fine form as we put the finishing touches on his dressage test.
Mike, Will and myself then loaded up the boys (Nev, Icurus, Twizzel & Milo) on Mark Todd's super amazing lorry for the drive to Burghley. It was a great trip, joking around with the boys, firing ourselves up for the toughest four star in the world.


I gave Nev a hack and a light flat this arvo (that's afternoon in Australian), trying to settle the redhead in at a magnificent venue.
I am stabled right in the middle of the Cannucks and Americans. There is a great atmosphere in the barn as everyone gets ready for the trot up tomorrow.

Boyd