Graffalo lords it and Harry Meade is triply brilliant over an influential track: catch up on Saturday’s action at Burghley

It’s been a day of spellbinding action in the Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country phase, with a huge shake-up of the leaderboard. But it’s still Ros Canter at the head of the field – albeit on a different horse to her dressage leader.

The pathfinder Harry Meade piloted three horses to clear rounds, and has wound up with two in the top five. Only four were inside the time, and Harry was at the reins of two of them. Derek di Grazia’s track proved every bit as testing as expected, though possibly not at the fences that riders were predicting. 

Here’s a round-up of day three at Burghley:

Ros Canter has retained control at the top of the leaderboard, with a copybook round.

• Why was Ros concerned about the final fence?

The day started with Harry Meade’s pathfinding brilliance, but the dressage leader’s bid unravelled.

• What did Ros say about Izilot’s early departure?

Tom Jackson crept closer to the podium with a fast clear on Capels Hollow Drift.

• What does Tom nickname the grey – and who celebrated their 30th birthday with a clear round?

Alex Bragg rocketed up the leaderboard with the first clear inside the time.

• Find out about the “demon mare who grows horns”

Emily King was among the favourites for the title, but things didn’t go her way.

• Where did Emily’s bid come to an end, and which other high-profile rider had a Burghley to forget?

Alice Casburn caught the eye as she moved up from 48th after dressage to 11th overnight.

• How did Alice get Topspin’s form back on track after a rare glitch at Badminton? 

One of the big surprises of the day was the number of top riders coming a cropper.

• Find out about a dramatic spell in which several title contenders hit the deck

Gemma Stevens had a super round on the speedy Chilli Knight to move up to sixth.

• Find out Gemma’s round went, an ex-racehorse’s clear round – and how a debutant Frenchman fared

The cross-country phase went to the wire, as the last three riders were all in contention.

• How close are Tim Price and Harry Meade to Ros ahead of the showjumping phase?

We also caught up with some contenders with interesting stories away from the heat of the action.

Most top-class horses are worth five or six figures – but one Burghley ride was bought for a single dollar.

• Read about Phelps’ amazing journey from the racetrack to five-star

Australian rider Sophia Hill is making the most a five-month “holiday” in Britain to tackle her first Burghley.

• Find out about this new mum and her wonderful ex-stock horse

US rider Hannah Sue Hollberg is riding a horse who is still improving at 17 years old.

• How has a crucial diagnosis turned Capitol H I M’s life around?

Harry Meade achieved an astonishing feat in jumping clear on all three of his rides

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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