Article from NZ Herald - Monday 8 September
New Zealand three-day eventer Annabel Wigley made some amends for her Olympic disappointment by finishing seventh in the Burghley Horse Trials in England this morning (NZ time).
Still smarting from her failure to win selection for the Games in China, Wigley and her ride Black Drum improved throughout the weekend after being 42nd following the dressage.
She was 11th after a fast, clear cross country round and capped her performance on a muddy Burghley course with just one rail down in the showjumping phase today.
Wigley's 67.3 points total left her one place ahead of experienced compatriot Andrew Nicholson on Armada, who knocked two rails down.
The next-best New Zealander was Dan Jocelyn, 15th on Silence.
Only two clear rounds were achieved between the 30 remaining competitors - less than half the number that started on Thursday - after storms made the event a war of attrition.
Wigley now faces a difficult decision as she has been trying to sell Black Drum in England.
However, today's £9000 ($24,064) prize may see her bring the horse home with her to New Zealand.
Briton William Fox-Pitt snared his fifth Burghley win with 47.8 points on Tamarillo despite knocking two showjumping fences down today.
Fox-Pitt, who also claimed second place on Ballincoola, equalled the record number of wins held by New Zealand's Mark Todd and Briton Virginia Holgate.
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