Equestrian: Dropped rails costly for Powell

New Zealander Caroline Powell's challenge at the Burghley horse trials petered out today in the showjumping phase at Stamford, England.

Third after yesterday's cross-country Powell, riding Lenamore, finished eighth after dropping two rails in this morning's (NZTshowjumping.

Britain's Oliver Townend, on Carousel Quest, was flawless in the showjumping to claim overall honours.

Townend, 26, won the Badminton trials on Flint Curtis in May and became only the sixth rider to complete the treasured double within 12 months, joining Britons Anneli Drummond Hay, Lucinda Green, Ginny Elliot, Pippa Funnell and Australia's Lucinda Fredericks.

"I'm still celebrating from Badminton," Townend said.

"It hasn't sunk in yet, but I've got plenty of useful four-star horses and am really looking forward to consolidating for the future."

Britain's Polly Stockton, sixth after the cross-country, was the only other rider in the top echelons to jump clear, which elevated her to second on Westwood Poser.

Mistakes by Australian Sam Griffiths, eventual third on Happy Times, American Phillips Dutton, fourth on Truluck, Australian Clayton Fredericks, fifth on Poilu and Powell, gave Townend a two-rail breathing space, which he didn't need.

Leading results: Oliver Townend/Carousel Quest (Britain) 43 1, Polly Stockton/Westwood Poser (Britain) 51.7 2, Sam Griffiths/Happy Times (Australia) 52.3 3, Phillip Dutton/Truluck (US) 54.5 4, Clayton Fredericks/Poilu (Australia) 55.7 5.

New Zealanders: Caroline Powell/Lenamore 58.4 8, Dan Jocelyn/Special Attorney 73.6 19, Andrew Nicholson/Armada 75.5 21, Neil Spratt/Hugo's There III 91 28, Annabel Wigley/Black Drum 97 29, Tim Price rtd 2nd day.

- NZPA