Berkshire-based Jack Pinkneys first appearance at this years Defender Burghley Horse Trials marks the culmination of a dream that once wasnt even on his radar. With no horsey childhood and an ambition to become a rugby player blighted by injury, his journey to one of eventings greatest stages has been anything but conventional.Unlike many riders at the highest level, Jack did not grow up immersed in horses. He only started riding seriously in when he was 17, after his original sporting ambition becoming a rugby player had fallen by the wayside.I wanted to be a rugby player, and that failed, he says. So I had left school, and Mum was like, Well, you need to go get a job.That job was at a point-to-point and team-chasing yard, having spotted the position advertised in a newspaper.I thought, well, lets go and make some money, and that was kind of that.But after watching Badminton on television, Jack saw something that captured his imagination.I thought eventing looked cool, he recalls.And so began an unlikely journey towards the top of the sport one that has now brought him to Burghley for the first time.Its been a big goal for a long, long time, Jack says. And we finally got here.Lacking confidenceHis Burghley partner in the 12-year-old Claragh Olala, who is owned by Margaret and Simon Hope, has had his own long journey to reach this point. When the gelding came to Jack as an eight-year-old, he was nervous and lacking confidence, forcing them to go back to basics.He was very nervous, Jack explains. Just a few things have probably gone wrong or something, and he was just very nervous and anxious, and just had to build his confidence and teach him to enjoy it basically.They started again at 90cm, gradually rebuilding the horses trust. Jack remembers being far from certain that their partnership would develop into one capable of tackling the sports biggest challenges.Im not one who wears an air jacket, but I remember going around the lorry park at this horses first novice, asking if anyone had an air jacket because I wasnt so confident with him.But he rose to the challenge.He just took it all on and got stuck in, and then hes just built up the levels, says Jack. Hes been very good.Its amazing to be hereThree CCI4*-L starts later, that belief has brought them to Burghley.The enormity of the occasion is not lost on Jack. Riding into the arena for his dressage test on Thursday, there was naturally a job to do, but also a moment to appreciate the significance of being there.Its amazing to be here, but obviously youre thinking, right, lets try and nail this, he says. The dressage was not quite the performance he had hoped for, with a couple of costly mistakes and they scored 38 to sit in 25th after the first phase, but Jack was determined not to dwell on them.I wanted it to be better, but to be fair, I think we went in there and we did enough, he says. There were just some moments where there was a couple of big mistakes, which are costly at this level.Jack and Blazey then followed this up with a superb clear jumping round across-country, adding 16.8 time-faults to sit in 16th going into the final showjumping phase. Im here on a horse that I think is just an absolute trier. Hes done as good as he could, said Jack. He really wants to try, which is all you can do and I think ones like that are really rare. Images by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksLive scoresHow to watch this weeks Defender BurghleyRelated contentI screamed and told him how much I love him: British rider leads the way after thrilling day of cross-country at BurghleyFrom I cant ride to Burghley clear: how a mindset reset turned the day around for Simon GrieveThere was swearing!: Gemma Stevens motors into Burghley lead after fast, gutsy clearFrom the courtroom to Burghley: US lawyer lines up for her first British five-starThe post From mucking out to Burghley: one riders long road to the start box at this iconic five-star appeared first on Your Horse.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of galloping a Thoroughbred around a five-star cross-country course, as Tom Strawson confirmed after piloting Public Address around Defender Burghleys beefy track.Hes so genuine and tries his heart out. He gives me 120% every single time, and hes fantastic animal, said Tom of the ex-racehorse who point-to-pointed in Ireland as a four-year-old, but was not particularly well suited to that job. Hes not typically like a racehorse. I mean he failed as a racehorse, and Ive got a few other Thoroughbreds at home that have got far bigger engines. What makes him so good is that he is the most honest horse youll ever come across. He just gives you everything every time.Tom, a former point-to-point jockey, originally bought Public Address as a six-year-old with the intention of selling him. This is now his third five-star start and their second Burghley, the pair having finished 21st here last year.I loved it [the cross-country]. I was probably blowing as much as him at the end, and I thought I was fairly fit, so I had to work hard. But if you dont get a thrill out of that, then you need to give up horses.A Thoroughbred fanTom described riding a Thoroughbred versus a different breed around Burghley as being like the difference between a Ferrari and a Peugeot.Its quality, isnt it? I always say when you go hunting, you want a Thoroughbred. To go faster, you just have to just let your fingers go a bit. On a common horse, you have to kick, and even that will be the difference.Tom has his eye on a second attempt at Badminton next spring. They retired their this year after the horse tied up during the first half of the cross-country. He tied up at Badminton, which was sad, but weve tweaked a couple of things since, such as feed feeding. Were trying to spark him up rather than calm him down, which is the opposite of most Thoroughbreds. Now weve got him on a lower starch-based diet now and tweaked his routine too.I take it day by day, but plan A, if the horse is happy, everythings good.Rolled polesPublic Address had five showjumps down today.Its been fantastic week. Its the top of the sport and its great to get a completion, said Tom, who admitted he was not quite at his best in the final phase.Jockey will be kicking himself for a while. The horse was a bit tired and I wasnt quite on my A game. I probably need to sharpen up a bit, ride a few more, and then it might come a bit easier.Images by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksLive scoresHow to watch this weeks Defender BurghleyRelated contentI screamed and told him how much I love him!: British rider leads the way after thrilling day of cross-country at BurghleyFrom I cant ride to Burghley clear: how a mindset reset turned the day around for Simon GrieveThere was swearing!: Gemma Stevens motors into Burghley lead after fast, gutsy clearFrom the courtroom to Burghley: US lawyer lines up for her first British five-starThe post If you dont get a thrill out of that, you need to give up horses: Thoroughbred delivers at Burghley appeared first on Your Horse.

A jubilant Gemma Stevens punched the air as she landed after the final fence in one of the most nerve-wracking showjumping rounds of her career, a clear round securing her first Defender Burghley title.And she did it in sensational style finishing on her dressage score aboard Chilli Knight, a horse she has known since he was born and who has only ever been ridden by her, to win by a convincing 13.4 penalties.Honestly, to jump a clear round is just so damn cool. Im so proud of my horse, and I am a blubbery wreck, so Im really sorry if I cry again, said Gemma moments after leaving the arena.Im just so proud of that little horse, and proud of myself for holding it together because I was literally shaking down the reins, but he just felt amazing. We jumped the first two jumps and I was like, Come on, boy, we can do this.Hes a little tigerChilli Knight (Alfie), a 16-year-old stallion, was bred by owners Christopher and Lisa Stone. He is by their great stallion Chilli Morning, a former Badminton winner with William Fox-Pitt.His [Alfies] hearts as big as he is; hes just an amazing little animal. Out there on the cross country, hes a little tiger, said Gemma, who first competed at five-star level 15 years ago. One of her first rides at the top level was the chestnut mare Kings Gem, a former ride of Mary King and the dam of Chilli Knight.I feel like Ive been doing this a long time, so I cant tell you how amazing this feels . To win a Big B is a dream come true. It really is, added Gemma.The guilt was horrendousThe win comes just weeks after what Gemma called one of the lowest points of her career. At the FEI World Championships in Aachen, she and Flash Cooley failed to complete the cross-country when pathfinders for the British team, who went on to win team gold. It was one probably the second lowest point in my career. The guilt that I felt was horrendous, confessed Gemma. I know everyone says, Well, you shouldnt feel guilty, but I did. I took a place up and I failed. I know I was [still part of the team], and I definitely earned my place, but I just felt horrific about it. But youve got to just pick yourself up in sport. Youve got to show resilience, and youve got to get out there and get on with it.Katie Magee and Treworra finished second, ahead of US rider Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake. Full report to follow.Images by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksFinal scoreboardRelated contentI screamed and told him how much I love him: British rider leads the way after thrilling day of cross-country at BurghleyFrom I cant ride to Burghley clear: how a mindset reset turned the day around for Simon GrieveThere was swearing!: Gemma Stevens motors into Burghley lead after fast, gutsy clearFrom the courtroom to Burghley: US lawyer lines up for her first British five-starThe post Jubilant Gemma Stevens wins her first Big B weeks after one of the lowest points of her career appeared first on Your Horse.

The 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials will be remembered for a remarkable first Gemma Stevens finally conquered one of eventings biggest prizes with the horse she always believed had a major victory in him.After 25 years of trying, Gemma and the 16-year-old Chilli Knight, who was bred by his owners Chris and Lisa Stone, produced an incredible performance across the week to complete on his dressage score of 29.6, securing a commanding 13.4-penalty victory in the process.For Gemma, 41, the result was the culmination of years of belief, disappointment and persistence. For the riders behind her, Burghley once again demonstrated just how quickly fortunes can change at five-star level.Here are the final top 10 in pictures1. Gemma Stevens and Chilli KnightThere was barely a dry eye in the house as Gemma completed her clear showjumping round and finally secured the title that had eluded her for so long.Chilli Knight had already won the one-off five-star at Bicton in 2021. But Burghley was different it was the big B Gemma had spent a quarter of a century chasing.Ive been working for 25 years to try and win a big B, and finally Ive managed to do it, she said. I honestly cannot believe it. Im chuffed beyond expectations.Her showjumping round was particularly significant. Gemma retired Chilli Knight across country at Badminton this spring and in 2025, they picked up 20 penalties in the showjumping there in 2024. But Gemma followed the advice of the British eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood to treat the final phase as though she were jumping at her local Hickstead, and produced the round of her life.Honestly to jump a clear round is just so damn cool, she said afterwards. Im so proud of that little horse and proud of myself for holding it together. I had no idea I had three fences in hand going in.The victory also provided the perfect sporting response to the disappointment of Aachen. After her World Championships elimination across country with Flash Cooley, Gemma had spoken openly about the emotional toll, but at Burghley, Chilli Knight delivered the answer.I feel like Ive been doing this a long time. I cant tell you how amazing this feels to win a big B is a dream come true, it really is.2. Katie Magee and Treworra Katie Magee produced one of the weeks great climbing acts, turning 19th after dressage into second at the finish aboard the brilliant 12-year-old, owned by Angela Hislop. Treworra was faultless across country, picking up just 2.4 time penalties, and the pair went into the final phase with every chance of a career-defining result. One rail at the World Horse Welfare upright cost them the win, but second place represented Katies first five-star podium.He was brilliant, she said. He was actually quite fresh and a bit lit up in the crowd, so he was a wee bit tight at times, but he tried his absolute heart out.He will have a very well deserved holiday now. Hes had an amazing week.3. Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake The USAs Caroline Pamukcu arrived at Burghley carrying the emotional baggage of her World Championships fall with HSH Blake, but she left with a podium finish in third and also a certain amount of redemption.This combination had been fifth overnight, but one fence down in the final phase did not prevent them moving into third.Hes an amazing jumper, isnt he? Caroline said. He was just unreal all-around, he was jumping out of skin.She accepted responsibility for the rail at the first fence, adding: It was my fault. 4. Tom Jackson and Hawk Eye Britains Tom Jackson and Hawk Eye were ninth after cross-country, but a clear showjumping round lifted the British pair into fourth.It was a fitting result for a horse whose potential Tom had identified for some time.To finish with a double clear here and with a top 10 result is brilliant, he said.Toms week was a reminder that Burghley is rarely a smooth journey from start to finish. The rider joked about the squidgy boots and the rollercoaster of competition, following a fall in the Trout Hatchery with his other ride, United 36 across country yesterday. Thats our sport, isnt it? You can have a good day, have an amazing round, and then end up rather soggy.5. Nadja Minder and Toblerone For much of Burghley, the 26-year-old Swiss rider Nadja Minder and the remarkable 19-year-old Toblerone were the headline story.They led after dressage with a score of 29.5, becoming the first Swiss combination to top the competition after the first phase. Their cross-country round cost them ground picking up 13.2 time-faults, but the veteran gelding showed his extraordinary resilience to finish fifth with 4.4 penalties added in the showjumping.Nadja said she went into the final phase relatively relaxed.I knew like whatever happens today wont take away what he has achieved and done.A final fence down still could not disguise what the pair had accomplished. Their week was testament to experience, partnership and the extraordinary durability of a horse who, at 19, was the oldest competitor in the field.It is not his strongest phase, and one down is, well we need to be really happy with that.Nadja also refused to automatically rule out another five-star appearance.Although 20 is a big number, I dont want to say it was his last one, she said, emphasising that such a decision should be based on how the horse is feeling, rather than just his age. 6. Yasmin Ingham and Goliath du Loir Yas Inghams Burghley debut could hardly have gone better. Riding the 10-year-old Goliath du Loir, she jumped clear across-country, picking up 14 time-faults, and then produced a clear showjumping round to rise to sixth. It honestly just feels so surreal to come here, she said. My first Burghley, this horses first five star.Burghleys renowned to be the toughest cross-country test out of all the five stars, and to bring a young horse here, youve got to feel quite confident in your partnership.7. Will Coleman and Very Dignified The USAs Will Colemans seventh place was another significant result for their country, with the 11-year-old Very Dignified proving herself on her first trip across the Atlantic.The mare, owned by Jerome Broussard, Gloria Callen and Elizabeth Lendrum, had shown enough during the week to convince her rider that she belonged at this level.I was excited before I came here, but Im very excited now, Will said. Shes given me a great spin all weekend and shes risen to the occasion.For a first European five-star, there were inevitable unknowns. Will admitted that travelling across the pond brought plenty of variables, but his mare answered them convincingly.I think shes a really good one, he said.8. Benjamin Massie and Filao de Perle Frances Benjamin Massie produced another top-level result for France with Filao de Perle, finishing eighth. This combination came to Burghley with a reputation as a fast and increasingly accomplished five-star partnership, having finished ninth at Badminton earlier this year.Benjamins Burghley performance was particularly notable given that this was his first visit to the event since 2013. Filaos cross-country speed and jumping ability made them a genuine threat, and eighth confirmed their place among the sports leading combinations.9. Jonelle Price and Chillis Midnight Star New Zealands Jonelle Price rounded out the leading international contingent in ninth with Chillis Midnight Star.Jonelle was delighted with the 12-year-old geldings showjumping performance, saying: Im delighted to jump a good round today. Hes been pretty consistent on the last day for the last sort of 12 months. He just is a true Badminton and Burghley horse. 10. Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal Harry Meade completed the top 10 with Cavalier Crystal, rising impressively from 31st after dressage to finish inside the top 10.The pair had just six time penalties across country, and Harry and this 16-year-old mare then picked up four faults in the final phase. Shes a lovely jumper and she jumped beautifully today, he said. I havent quite had the result I was hoping for this week, but there are no guarantees around this course.Images by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentI screamed and told him how much I love him: British rider leads the way after thrilling day of cross-country at Burghley From I cant ride to Burghley clear: how a mindset reset turned the day around for Simon GrieveThere was swearing!: Gemma Stevens motors into Burghley lead after fast, gutsy clearFrom the courtroom to Burghley: US lawyer lines up for her first British five-starThe post Burghley final top 10 in pictures: Gemma Stevens tops all-female podium appeared first on Your Horse.

Katie Magee has pulled off the best top-level result of her career at Defender Burghley, finishing runner-up at the five-star aboard Treworra behind Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight.My main aim is just to do my best. I havent done many of these big ones so I still feel very much like Im learning, said Katie, who was contesting her fifth five-star.She has produced the 12-year-old horse herself, giving him time to mature physically before stepping him up the levels before making her five-star debut with him at Badminton in 2025 and finishing 11th.He came out today really well [for the showjumping], really fresh. He had one pole but he tried his heart out and thats all you can ask for, isnt it? added Katie.He was brilliant. He was actually quite fresh and a bit lit up by the crowd, so he was a wee bit tight at times, but he tried his absolute heart out, and thats all any of us can ever ask for, isnt it?I just wanted to ride as good a round as I could, stay on the tighter lines, and just make sure I made his job as good as easy as possible. I knew hed try for me.He loved hearing the crowdThey jumped clear across country with 2.4 time-faults to add.In my opinion hes one of the best cross-country horses. The bigger and bolder the better. I think his face said it all [yesterday]. We left his ears off and he loved hearing the crowd the whole way. Its something Ill remember forever, added Katie.Hes 17.2hh, but he is incredibly polite. He gallops, but he comes back to me. He looks at the flags. Hes so brave and bold, and he really wants to do it for me. Its my lucky job to ride him, which is just brilliant.He just covers the ground, but Im never fighting him really, which is very rare in a horse as brave as he is. Its a lovely feeling.Holidaying with ClaudeMagee has produced the horse himself.He was weak until he was 10, just being big, so its just been about giving him time, so we didnt break him before he got to do what he was born to do, said Katie.Hes almost a little bit too light sometimes. On the flat its been about getting him strong enough to take his neck out and and stay in a slightly more uphill frame. I have to be very light with my hand or hell come a little bit tense.Katie said the same approach applied for their final showjumping round.He was trying his absolutely hardest to keep the poles up. I just had to really keep my hands light so he didnt have any tension because hes got such a good mouth I have to be very light and try not to override and get a bit tight myself, she explained.Somebody very wisely once said to me, when you get to the top level, if you can keep them sound, mentally and physically they just get better and better, so its just managing them and keeping them healthy and happy. And its a privilege to have a horse like that to do that with.He will have a very well deserved holiday now. Hes had an amazing season. He has a best friend called Claude, and he will be snoozing in the field by tomorrow.Useful linksFinal scoreboardRelated contentJubilant Gemma Stevens wins her first Big B weeks after one of the lowest points of her careerSee the final Burghley top 10 in picturesFrom I cant ride to Burghley clear: how a mindset reset turned the day around for Simon GrieveThere was swearing!: Gemma Stevens motors into Burghley lead after fast, gutsy clearFrom the courtroom to Burghley: US lawyer lines up for her first British five-starThe post Career-best for Katie Magee and her beloved Treworra, who will be holidaying with Claude by tomorrow appeared first on Your Horse.