Sporting Digest: Equestrianism

The Burghley Three-Day Event has a new sponsor in Pedigree Chum, it was announced during yesterday's Horse Trials Group Annual Conference in London.

The pet-food company succeeds Remy Martin, who have sponsored Burghley for the last 12 years. The new contract runs to 1997, when Burghley is expected to host the European Championships.

Mary Thomson, this year's leading rider on points, received the Tony Collings Memorial Trophy for the second time running - and the third time overall - yesterday. King William, who was her mount when she won a team gold medal at this year's World Equestrian Games, was the leading horse.

Ginny Elliot is to act as jump training co-ordinator for the Great Britain team. She will be helping riders with both show jumping and cross-country, while Christopher Bartle continues as the dressage trainer.

1994 HORSE TRIALS GROUP AWARDS: Tony Collings Memorial Trophy (leading rider): M Thomson. Calcutta Light Horse Trophy (leading horse): King William. Edy Goldman Trophy (leading Under-21 rider): T Boon. Martin Whiteley Trophy: L Murray. Sir John Burdon Trophy: T Boon. Hubert Allfrey Trophy: K Hynd.