I think the reason the NZ riders were so dominant at Burghley is that due to the Europeans very recently, many of the European riders did not have their best horses there. Neither of the Itallians who got top 10 at Badminton came, and Ingrid Klimke was the only top German who came.
Tina Cook, for example, was not riding her best horse, Miner's Frolic, but a younger horse instead, who she said she is producing for Rio. Pippa Funnel's horse, Redesigned, whilst not a youngster, has only just returned to eventing after around 2 years out with various problems. Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz had also had some time off recently due to a fall, and at 16, he is getting a little old now for top flight eventing.
Also, Zara Phillips and Mary King weren't there.
If you look at the Badminton results, although Jock Padget won, and Andrew Nicholson did well, there are 7 nationalities in the top 10.
At the moment, I think British eventing is in the place where our top rider's horses are all getting on a bit, or are still a bit too young or inexperienced to do too well at the top level. It would be nice to see some different riders coming up the ranks too. I know it's hard to get rides, and it takes time to get experience, though.
I am really happy for Jock, though. This has obviously been his year, and he has made a name for himself which will only benefit his career and get him more rides. He has obviously put a lot of work in to get where he is, and seems like a nice person who genuinely deserves it.
I was very pleased to see that it was not a dressage competition as well!