Max Warburton realises childhood dream at Defender Burghley Horse Trials

By Ben Hart at Burghley

Southam’s Max Warburton realised a childhood dream after making a spectacular start to his maiden Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Warburton, 26, placed fifth at the halfway stage of the dressage phase in Stamford, with a score of 28.9 leaving him marginally behind Olympians Pippa Funnell and Ros Canter.

Warburton only made his top-level debut at Badminton earlier this year when finishing 36th but it’s his first appearance at Burghley which will hold the fondest memories.

“I’m absolutely delighted. Deerpairc Revelry is only a young horse and he tried so hard for me there. First Burghley got both of us so I’m absolutely thrilled,” he said.

“It’s exciting being at my first Burghley. You come to these events as a kid and it’s a bit of a dream and quite surreal, following Tim Price, walking up with him, it’s very surreal but I’m so thrilled.”

This year’s Defender Burghley sees a record-breaking field of entrants - the strongest on record - with eight 5* winners in the mix.

Saturday’s cross-country phase is often seen as the decisive leg of the Burghley challenge and Whittington says it doesn’t get any easier with experience.

“The cross country course is a big track but I think it’s there to jump, everything’s fair and I’m ready to give it a good crack,” said Warburton, whose partner Susie Berry is also competing at Burghley.

“He’s a bit of a machine cross-country runner, touch wood. He’s a very good galloper, and he’s been very straight so I’m excited to get going.

“My horse came in as an 8 year old so I’ve had him for a couple of years now. He was started off by his owners, their daughter jumped him round some 7 year old tracks, then he’s grown from strength to strength. We’ve always thought a lot of him.”

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