Olympic champion Jung holds nerve to claim maiden Burghley Horse Trials title

Michael Jung celebrates his first victory at the Burghley Horse Trials ©Getty Images

Germany's reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung added to his illustrious career by winning on his first appearance at the Burghley Hose Trials, finishing 1.5 points clear of the rest of the field on La Biosthetique Sam.

Jung, whose first horse FischerRocana FST had tripped and fallen midway through yesterday's cross country round, had nonetheless led into the final day after a superb round on his second horse at the prestigious three-day event held near Stamford, England.

But the pressure was ramped up after New Zealand's Tim Price completed a clear round on Ringwood Sky Boy, leaving the German no margin for error.

Jung however, who also won individual crowns at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and at the 2011 European Championships in Luhmühlen, rose to the occasion with a superb clear round himself to claim the title with just 40.0 penalty points, with Price on 41.5.

The 33-year-old became the first German to win the event, following on from him becoming the first rider to hold Olympic, world and European titles at the same time.

“To win Burghley is very special,” he said.

“I am lucky that I have two horses that have finished safe.

"Sam gave me a very good feeling warming up for the show jumping; he felt powerful and he was very concentrated.

"He is like a good friend to me; I have learnt a lot from him and hopefully he has learnt a little from me.”

Michael Jung celebrates after securing victory at the Burghley Horse Trials, perfect preperation for a defence of his European title ©Getty Images

New Zealander Price finished second behind Michael at the second major event this year, after also doing so at April and May's Kentucky Three Day Event on his other mount, Wesko.

Australia's Christopher Burton occupied the next two places, finishing third on TS Jamaimo and fourth on Haruzac.

Britain's Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Tina Cook was the best placed home rider down in eighth place on Star Witness, while six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt dropped to 10th place on on Fernhill Pimms after holding the joint-lead after the opening dressage phase.

Jung will now aim to defend his European Championships title when they start at Blair Castle in Scotland on Thursday (September 10).