Gemma Stevens returns to Burghley Horse Trials with a bang after spring break

By Lucy Wilde, Sportsbeat

Gemma Stevens took a break from eventing during the spring to allow herself and her horses to recover from a demanding season, but she’s back with a bang at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

The British Olympic event rider has a reputation that traverses world continents having won two team gold medals at young rider level before claiming another team gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But the 39-year-old is determined to add to her 5* CV, which includes victories at Bicton and five successful completions of Burghley’s British sister, Badminton, in the all-round competition.

“I don’t feel I have a point to prove after missing Badminton,” she said, batting away suggestions that Burghley provided an opportunity to put her capabilities back on the map.

“Chilli Knight has won a 5* already and I’m actually just looking forward to the next few days. I don’t feel like the pressure is on me this week, I put the pressure on myself.

“He jumped round Badminton beautifully but we didn’t have the most control so we’ve gone back to the drawing board a little bit and had a fantastic run round Hartpury 4*. I’m hoping to carry that through here.”

Burghley is the ultimate test of horsemanship, with dressage, cross country and show jumping phases demanding different technical skills from both jockey and horse, but Stevens knows it’s a tall order to be at the top of the field across all three disciplines.

“Dressage is not his [Chilli Knight’s] best phase, he finds it hard but he’s really genuine. We managed to get there with a sub 30 [29.7]," she said.

“It’s just so tricky and difficult to pick up marks with him because he’s not a big mover, he’s not flashy, he’s not built for dressage. He’s unbelievably obedient, he tries his best and he is trained to within an inch of his little life, bless him.

“Although we scratch our way round and bump our way through our medium trot, he does everything to the best of our ability. He doesn’t get tense, he doesn’t spook, he’s a good boy and I was furious with myself that we missed one change in the serpentine.

“He did his best and that’s all you can ask for. To be sub 30 on him and within touching distance of the leaders, I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Stevens sits in 13th place overall, just behind former world number one Tim Price, but with the world’s toughest cross country course still to come, there’s more than enough room to upset the current rankings.

“You’ve got to be accurate, fast, bold, straight and brave, completely and utterly nuts," she added.

“The track is massive. The jumps are enormous. I’m terrified but also really excited for the cross country. I won’t lie to you, I’ll be glad when I’ve jumped the leaf pit.

“But I’m really looking forward to it and I wouldn’t want to be sat on anything else. Chilli Knight is a true cross-country machine. As long as we’re on the same page and put it all together, we’ll be as competitive as we can.”

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