Katie Magee piloted Treworra into 11th place at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials today (11 May), a feat that earned her the accolade of highest placed first timer.This is my second five-star, but Im 43 now so its taken me a little longer than most people to get here, said Katie, who is based in County Durham.Its a lifetime ambition to get [to Badminton], Ive watched it every year since I can remember.Katie was presented with the Laurence Rook trophy, which is awarded to the highest placed British rider who has not previously completed Badminton.Katie hails from a non-horsey family and studied physiotherapy at Teeside University but doesnt practice the profession. Instead she makes a living out of horses.Im pretty much full-time teaching and riding. Over the years its kind of evolved, said Katie, who revealed that she married a non-horsey man, Ciaran, who has since learned to ride and now competes.A proper, old-fashioned cross-country horseWith the 11-year-old Treworra (Wilf), whom she has partnered for six years, she made her five-star debut at Pau last year and finished 13th.Ive ridden Wilf since he was five and hes just a beautiful horse, said Katie, who has a son and who trains with the former European Champion and Your Horse Live star Nicola Wilson.From the minute he walked on the yard we all fell in love with him. Hes bigover 17hh so weve taken our time strengthening him up.Weve found hes needed a bit of time to get the dressage and showjumping, but hes a proper, old-fashioned cross-country horse.Hes three quarters Thoroughbred and I wouldnt want to be on anyone else.Katie was aiming for a low thirties score in the first phase and the pair nailed it, recording a 31.8 dressage score.The duo went on to smash the cross-country phase with a confident clear round with 5.2 time-faults to add on a day when only six horses achieved the optimum time and went to pick up 9.6 faults (two fences down plus 1.6 for time) in the final showjumping phase.Main image by Tim WilkinsonRelated contentLatest news from BadmintonOliver Townend hangs on to lead after action-filled cross-country dayWhen riding isnt your day job: Badminton contenders with interesting jobsAll British top 10! Oliver Townend leads after two days of dressageThe post 43-year-old rider fulfils long-held ambition when finishing as highest placed first timer at Badminton appeared first on Your Horse.