Piggy March holds the lead on day one of dressage at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials with her new ride, MCS Maverick.The 2022 Burghley champion took over the ride on the 12-year-old son of Mill Law from Pippa Funnell earlier this year and the pair is contesting their first CCI5* together.He is a beautiful horse and hes got it all there. Hes had the best training in the world coming from Mrs Funnell so I havent got any excuses, said Piggy.The big thing with this horse is getting his brain and thats just what the two days of being here is. Weve been riding, lunging, riding, lunging, lunging. Hes not the finished article yet. His body isnt really strong where youd like him to be, but thats still going to develop a lot over the next couple of years.You cant work him too hard as he gets sore and fragile in his body, continued Piggy. Its a bit of work, bit of loose lunging, grazing, seeing people. That test was brilliant for him. For our early stages of us being together in an atmosphere like that Ill take it all day long and I dont want another go.2. Alexander Bragg and Ardeo PremierOccupying the runners-up spot overnight are Alexander Bragg and Ardeo Premier, a 12-year-old Irish Sports Horse who finished second in theEventers Grand Prix at Hickstead this year.The pair is just over three penalties behind the leaders on a score of 28.4.Hes really versatile. Hes a real cool dude and multi talented, said Alex.Its always nerve wracking before you go in [to the dressage arena].You put hours and hours of training in to get to that point and you know what the horse is capable of, but actually delivering that and performing on the big stages is tricky, because youre dealing with the horses apprehension from outside distractions and the atmosphere, and youve also got to deal with your own and try and remain composed.I think if you get a good centre line, thats always helpful, and I knew which bits I could be brave at with him.Alex said the horses extended canterworkand flying changes are particularly good and were highlights in todays test.His trot is not so expressive, but the judges at E and M can see those 8m circles. They can see accuracy, so my plan was just dont drop marks in those areas.My target was around a 70% test, a score of 30, so the fact that he exceeded that just shows his commitment and Im just thrilled with him.3. Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker BoyWill Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy round out the podium at this stage on a score of 28.8.Im really chuffed with the test. We delivered what were more than capable of doing,said Will.There were plenty of mistakes in there, a few things to iron out, but the general feeling that he was giving me was spot on. Whats exciting is that theres still so much more for him to deliver. I just think its about getting as much practice, getting into big arenas and big atmospheres. Id like to think were only going to get better.Will said he has beenparticularlyworking on the horses flying changes, and described the last one in todays test as being diabolical.The changes are such an easy thing to fluff up, but hes been incredible with them all year and today they didnt quite pull off.I was completely disorganised with the last change. It was diabolical. There were a few little bits where I was brave, like in extended canter, he came back to me and then went against me. Generally, though, the rideability of what hes given me is where I wanted to be going.The pair finished 23rd at Badminton in the spring. 4. David Doel and Galileo NieuwmoedDavid Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed ended the first day of dressage in fourth place on 29.6, having led the field after the morning session.That was definitely the best hes ever gone in the ring. He was really settled, really rideable, and just nailed everything for me. Thats probably about the best hes going to really ever be able to do. Hes not built to do dressage so Im absolutely stoked, said David.Weve worked really hard on his dressage and its finally paid off and hes been able to show everyone what hes capable of. We nailed it today we lunged and rode him for the right time this morning and hes feeling the best hes ever felt in his body. Ive got to write this all down and remember it for next time.David and the 14-year-old KWPN gelding, who is owned by David, Mary Fox and Gillian Jonas, were second here two years ago behind Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class after producing a clear cross-country round inside the time.5. Harry Meade and Cavalier CrystalCavalier Crystal, the second of Harry Meades three rides this weekend, sits in fifth place on 30.5. The 15-year-old bay mare is no stranger to success at CCI5* level, having finished fourth here last year and third at Badminton in May.Today I was delighted with her. I felt shes been in a really sweet place the last few weeks, and then thats maintained since we got here. She felt really good. It was very much a clear round test, but also very much a way of going that was soft and open, and that allowed the freedom, said Harry.Shes a really game horse. Sometimes, if you try too hard on her, she begins to go a little bit sour, so it was very much about keeping her sweet, keeping her enjoying it and she felt very happy in there.Harry, who is also in 11thplace overnight on his first ride, Et Hop du Matz, will be the final rider into the arena tomorrow on Annaghmore Valoner.6. Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting SIrelands Joseph Murphy and Belline Fighting Spirit, who is owned by Richard Ames, Tanya Ames, Alan Bell and Annette OCallaghan, wound up in sixth position on 30.9.Im really pleased. It certainly wouldnt be his strongest phase, but hes a beautiful horse, and now that hes more on side and Im a bit more confident with him, said Joseph, who finished 49thwith the 10-year-old gelding at Badminton this year.7. Caroline Powell and High TimeFormer Burghley champion Caroline Powell piloted High Time, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, into seventh place after they received a score of 31.1 for their dressage test.Hes a lovely horse. I havent had him that long so Im still finding the buttons and problems with him. Our partnership has developed quickly and hes changed a lot, hes grown up and has been very good, said the New Zealand rider.It is a third CCI5* start for the pair, who finished 21stat Badminton earlier this year.8. Gaspard Maksud and ZaragozaFrances Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza, a bay mare owned by Martin Thurlow and Jane Young, received 31.8 and sit in eighth. The pair were sixth here last year and the Frenchman took home the prize for the best first timer on that occasion.I was quite happy with her; she was very relaxed, said Gaspard of the 12-year-old mare. Yes, we probably wanted to be in the 20s, but she hasnt run much to be fair. Shes pretty much done nothing, but she came here and she knows why shes here. She actually kept it all together on the test and she was very focused on me, so lots of positives.9. Holly Richardson and Ballyneety Silver ServiceOccupying ninth place are Holly Richardson and Ballyneety Silver Service on 32.4. While its Hollys third time at Burghley, the horse is making his CCI5* debut.Hes a really smart horse. Hes 10 and hes sort of taken that long to get to where he is if you know what I mean. Hes a galloping machine, so for him to go and sit in the dressage, it was quite hard for him, but we know its in there and its just a matter of time, said Holly.His medium trot is his strength, so it was really good to pull those mediums and extendeds off. His walk is amazing as well so it was good that he stayed calm enough to actually produce his good walk.Ballyneety Silver Service was produced up to CCI3* level by Issy Saxby, the daughter of the Irish geldings owner, Fiona Saxby. Holly took over the ride when Issy went to university and has been riding him for the last two years.10. Grace Taylor and Game ChangerGrace Taylor rounds out the top 10 with her mother Ann Taylors 13-year-old Irish Sports Horse Game Changer.My trainer Lisa White and I have been working on having him much more strong, supple and in front of the leg, and hes enjoying his dressage more, said Grace, who represents the USA. He was always more of a jumping horse, but I always knew he could do really good dressage test, so I was frustrated with myself that I wasnt getting the marks, but its getting there.Top 10 after dressageThe standings at the end of the dressage phase are:Piggy Marchand MCS Maverick on 25.7 penaltiesAlexander Braggand Ardeo Premier, 28.4Will Rawlinand Ballycoog Breaker Boy, 28.8David Doeland Gallileo Nieuwmoed, 29.6Harry Meadeand Cavalier Crystal, 30.5Joseph Murphyand Belline Fighting Spirit, 30.9Caroline Powelland High Time, 31.1Gaspard Maksudand Zaragoza, 31.8Holly Richardsonand Ballyneety Silver Service, 32.4Grace Taylorand Game Changer, 32.4View the full overnight leaderboard hereDressage will resume tomorrow, Friday 5 September, at 10am when Alice Casburn and Topspin take to the main arena.Images by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutA very special horse: from unbacked five-year-old with a teenage rider to five-star formDavid Doel in pole position on Thursday lunchtimeMeet the Burghley first-timer on a quirky mare who dislikes large crowds and refuses flatwork lessonsHow to watch Defender BurghleyThe post Burghley top 10 in pictures: Piggy March leads the way with new ride appeared first on Your Horse.