By Lucy Wilde at Burghley

Harry Meade was the first jockey to step up for the dressage event at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, but that didn’t stop him laying down the gauntlet for the rest of the field to follow.

The dressage is the first phase of the three day event which tests the basic training of the horse, helping the animal to develop an improved posture and increase their obedience and composure.

Despite being the first to take to the perfectly preened stage at Stamford, the world number five and his companion, Superstition, were the very picture of composure, setting the tone for the rest to follow.

“It’s often a little bit of a disadvantage going first because judges can take a little bit of time to warm up,” Meade said.

“But I was really pleased with him. He’s a horse who is very athletic, wants to do his job, but he can also get a little bit keen and up tight so the big thing for him is trying to keep him calm and settled.

“He’s quite a hot horse and he gets a little bit overawed, so he stayed at home until yesterday, galloped in the morning and the first thing he did up here was his test today.

“It’s all about trying to create a management programme which is as normal as possible and isn’t about being in the big limelight.”

While being the centre of attention might not be top of the priority list for the British rider, who was long-listed for the Paris Olympic Games with multiple horses, Superstition’s prospects look promising.

“He [Superstition] is a good galloper so Burghley will suit him in that regard,” said Meade. “He’s a brave horse so I’ve always said there’s not a course in the world I wouldn’t feel confident giving him a good crack on.”

The Cotswold local won the 4* long at Bramham back in June this year but his history astride Superstition is a fruitful one, with 2022 being a particular indication of his potential to produce points this time out.

This will be the first time Superstition is back in action since Maryland in late 2022, where he finished a respectable seventh, but 41-year-old Meade has no reservations about the gelding’s ability to perform.

“He’s had a slightly shorter run into this. My plan initially was to take him to Maryland again this year and bring another horse here but he was feeling so good we had a change of plan and came here.

“Covid meant that he [Superstition] preferred the US 5*s initially but that was purely because in 2020 and 2021 the British 5*s didn’t happen at Badminton or Burghley.

“He was fed and ready to go so we took him to Kentucky and Maryland twice - he’s had three US trips simply for the reason they didn’t happen in this country, but part of my plan was to get him to Burghley.

“That was a priority for me so I’m thrilled to have him here. It was great to get a decent score on the board, he’s a fit type so hopefully I can give him a good ride. He’s got a lot to look forward to in the next few days.”

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