Oliver Townend and Carousel Quest are the undisputed winners of this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Oliver couldn’t have dreamt of a better result. The combination produced a clear round show jumping to add to their clear round cross-country finishing a comfortable eight penalties ahead of the ahead of the 80 competitors who started the three day competition.

Oliver was quick to praise Cressida Clague-Reading who originally produced the horse and from who he took over the ride when Cressida decided to concentrate on show jumping. “Cressy put all the buttons on him – all I had to do was press them – he is a class horse,” said Oliver who will take home the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy and a cheque for £50,000. “To be honest I am still celebrating Badminton – to win Burghley as well is simply amazing.” Carousel Quest’s breeder Jim Hood also collected a prize as the grey was the highest placed British bred horse.

The win puts Oliver in contention for a $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam in Lexington, Kentucky next May, the first rider since Andrew Hoy attempted – but narrowly missed at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in 2006.

A clear round over Richard Jeffery’s tightly timed course brought former British team member Polly Stockton up from 6th place overnight, into second with Arthur Comyn’s 10-year-old Westwood Poser. The gelding who began the competition in 13th after dressage was contesting his first four-star event. “I wasn’t planning on bringing him here but after my main entry Regulus had to have colic surgery a few weeks ago I decided to re-route Poser – but I can’t quite believe the outcome,” said Polly. “I knew he had the ability to do well but I did wonder if Burghley was a big ask for him but he just got stuck in and I can’t quite believe how far he came up.”

Four faults dropped Sam Griffiths and Happy Times to third place – the same position they occupied at the horse’s first four-star at Badminton. “I think he’s proved his Badminton result was no fluke and I am very excited about his future. He now deserves a good rest and hopefully we might think about campaigning him towards the World Equestrian Games next year.”

John Edwards, managing director for Land Rover UK commented: “It has been another fantastic Burghley for Land Rover with a thrilling finale made even sweeter by a British win. We have received a phenomenal response to the latest range of vehicles shown here: the 2010 model year Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4, which have been used as workhorses on-site all week as well as being on display at the Land Rover stand. We look forward to coming back next year as title sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.”

•