Ros Canter delighted at return to Burghley Horse Trials

By Tom Masters at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Reigning world champion Ros Canter returned to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials for the first time in five years in style.

The Louth equestrian was back at her local event for only the third time, but there is a large contrast between expectations around her performance this time and five years ago.

Canter, 36, ended day two of the dressage event at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in sixth place with a score of 24.2 alongside horse Pencos Crown Jewel, also known as Jasmine.

And Canter was delighted to finally be back after such a long absence from her local event.

She said: “It’s really exciting, I haven’t been here for five years, and I’ve only been here twice anyway.

“That was with Allstar B (World Champion winning horse) and that was a long time ago really before he did all his team duties.

“It’s a local event for me, it has the most wonderful, friendly atmosphere and the crowds are out in force, so it couldn’t be more exciting.

“I just want her to enjoy it, I’m quite protective of Little Jasmine, she’s not very big and she’s taken longer than some to come up through the levels, and she just has a heart of gold.

“So if she comes out of this happy and having had a good experience then that’ll do for me.”

As well as returning to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials as a World Champion, Canter also returned as a mother, which she said was worried that she would not be able to return to her pre-pregnancy form.

“Life has become a complete whirlwind I have to say, she is a whirlwind herself as well, she’s much more fun too and who needs sleep anyway I suppose,” she added.

“I work just as hard as before and now I’m a mother too, there are ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I spent my whole pregnancy worrying that I wouldn’t be the same person again, I’m not shy about the fact that I’m not the bravest cross-country rider in the world, and I was worried about that.

“But I’ve had such a great support team around me and I’ve had time to get back, and I actually think I’m better for it to be honest.”

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1-4 September 2022) returns after a two-year hiatus, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A major international sporting and social event for over 50 years it attracts 80 of the world’s top equestrians and over 170,000 visitors. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk