Baugh still in dreamland on Defender Burghley Horse Trials debut

By Ben Hart, Sportsbeat

Event rider Lizzie Baugh continued her dream debut at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials with a clean run round the fabled cross-country course.

Baugh, 26, and home-bred horse B Exclusive competed the four-mile track at Burghley on a gloomy Saturday where rivals, including Olympic medallists Ros Canter and Pippa Funnell, failed to reach the finish line.

Based on the family farm near Newark, the pair were billed as ones to watch on their maiden run at the top-level and didn’t disappoint.

“It was good. Such an experience,” said Baugh.

“Even galloping between fences three and four where the crowds are so close and it’s hard to keep in the zone.

“When I got away from the arena I told myself I needed to focus and get on with it. To hear the crowd all the way round was a really good experience.”

The pair have impressed on their way up the ranks, winning a 4* event at Chatsworth and finishing sixth at Bramham and Blenheim.

But this was the biggest performance of their fledgling careers to date and one that left Baugh beaming with pride.

“I’m so self critical and I was a little bit negative, I said if it’s not going right I’ll pull him up but to actually get round there and for him to give me the ride he gave me staying so honest and so genuine, to get through the finish flags was just incredible,” she added,

“It’s been a hell of a journey but to have had him from foal to 5*, that’s incredibly special. He’s a blood horse, he just keeps going. He felt tired around there but he was still taking me, he’s such an incredible athlete.”

Defender Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September 2024) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk