Burke's Affair to remember

A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie

- SARAH RADFORD

Chepstow Summer International, David Broome Event Centre, Monmouthshire

JESSICA BURKE delivered a formidably fast round on African Affair - a horse who was sold but returned to her string last year to seize the King Hussein trophy in the CSI2* grand prix.

"I've had my eye on that class and I was delighted to win," Jessica said. "It was also great to see Princess

Haya, who was presenting the trophy, out again." The Hampshire-based Irish rider entered the ring in a late draw on the 13-year-old gelding and overthrew a soaring target set by 19-year-old Rachel Proudley (Petitfour VD Wareslage).

Last year's grand prix victors here, William Whitaker and the Old Lodge's ultra-consistent stallion Chacco's Lando, were last to jump of 13 in the second phase, and nipped into the remaining podium slot in third.

"I knew I had to go fast after watching Rachel's round. She is a good rider and I think she is going to be a big name going forward," Jessica said. "When I'd watched some of the earlier ones, they were turning back to the second-last very wide, so I tried to be tighter there as I knew he couldn't go any faster across the ground. When we finished I couldn't believe we were that much quicker.

"He is a smart horse and so careful, you can really trust him, he lands running from the fence and he knows his job." The British-bred gelding by Billy Congo was sold in 2021 and spent a year with Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur, before being bought back by Jessica's owner Louisa Church.

"It's been great to have him again," Jessica said. "We tried to get into Dublin but were one place out, so it was nice to come here and win at our next show."