The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Class is a hugely popular competition that has been running for over 30 years and is still acknowledged as the shop window to view potential four star horses. It is designed to encourage breeders and trainers to produce and present the type of young horse which will be considered to be the best material to make a world class three day event horse.

The judges Henrietta Knight, Rowland Fernyhough, Helen Hillard and Mary Low are looking for an athletic loose moving horse with a promising jumping technique and attitude which, with the correct training and production, will develop physically and mentally into a strong three day eventer. The winner is the horse with the highest overall marks from four sections. One horse per 15 starters qualify for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse final at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at the end of August.

The dressage is marked out of 30, the showjumping is marked out of 40, confirmation out of 20. The final section is judged on suitability and potential and took place in the main arena. Marks are awarded from 1-10.

Five Year Olds

Twelve horses, rather than the usual ten came forward for the final section of the 5 year old class as scores were very tight at the top after the first three phases.

Jason Hobbs riding Tillington Perry was in the lead coming into the final section and the 16.2hh bay gelding caught the judges eye with his lovely walk and trot. The final phase judge does not see the horses until they enter the ring so has a fresh perspective. Nicola Wilson’ s Chiraz III impressed with his beautiful paces and lovely outlook.

After the final judging and adding these scores to the first three phases, Tillington Perry came out on top ahead of Chiraz III. “Both horses have lovely paces and cover the ground well, I am always looking for a horse that can gallop and stay and these two stood out for me” commented Mary Low, judge of the final phase.

Commenting on his win Jason said “He is the most adorable young horse, he is so easy to do in every way. It is such a good class to get them out and about and experience the atmosphere of a big event.”

Tillington Perry’s owner Mrs Gillian Bulmer explained “I can’t believe it! We bought him at the Going for Gold Sale in Ireland two years ago. My daughter in law and son are interested in horse breeding and we each chose a horse out of a selection of four from the catalogue, I picked Tillington at random. When I got to the sale I had completely forgotten about it and bought the horse that I thought looked the best and it happened to be Tillington – it was meant to be! I am just thrilled that he has won here.”

Final positions were:
1st 447 Tillington Perry (16.2hh Bay Gelding 5yrs) by Olden Times ridden by Jason Hobbs and owned by Mrs Gillian Bulmer.
2nd 445 Chiraz III (16.2hh Grey Gelding, 5yrs) by Cayado ridden by Nicola Wilson and owned by Mrs James Lambert OBE and Mrs J Lambert.
3rd 438 Fernhill Mojito (16hh Bay Gelding 5yrs) by Royal Concorde ridden by Kitty King and owned by Mrs Cathy Butler and Mrs Camilla Wakeley.

These three horses go forward to the final at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at the end of August.

Four Year Olds

Taking place in the Harrington Arena the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse 4 year old class was won by Padraig McCarthy’s bay mare MGH Jessica by Cobra and ridden by Flora Harris pipping Padraig into second place riding Mrs Sarah Gough’s Pomp n Circumstance. Third was Mrs Nikki Axon’s Chilli S Midnight Star by Chilli Morning ridden by Caroline Harris. These three horses go forward to the final at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at the end of August.

1 st 489 Class Spec (Bay Gelding, 16hh 4 yrs) by Vancouver, owned and ridden by Flora Harris.
2 nd 502 Pomp n Circumstance (Bay Gelding 16.2hh) ridden by Padraig McCarthy and owned by Mrs Sarah Gough.
3 rd 477 Chilli S Midnight Star (Bay Gelding 16.1hh) by Chilli Morning ridden by Caroline Harris and owned by Mrs Nikki Axon.

Final Results

5 year olds

1. #447 – Tillington Perry
2. #445 – Chiraz III
3. #438 – Fernhill Mojito
4. #443 – Cadannus
5. #451 – Max McInerney
6. #448 – Wellfield Lincoln
7. #410 – Portlaiose Lordano
8. #432 – Irreplaceable
9. #439 – Amore JG Z
10. #442 – Forthright
11. #450 – Ajax H Z
12. #449 – Cooley Time

4 year olds

1. #489 – Class Spec
2. #502 – Pomp n Circumstance
3. #477 – Chilli’s Midnight Star
4. #514 – So Smart
5. #480 – Joker
6. #461 – Peter Pan
7. #474 – Headdon Sinatra
8. #469 – Zacaroo
9. #484 – Templar Juno