When Sarah Clark finally drives through the gates of the iconic Burghley House she will be ticking an item off her eventing bucket list.

The Australian eventer will have undertaken a marathon trip to reach Stamford, Lincolnshire, travelling across the world in order to compete at one of the world’s finest events.

And while Clark does not expect herself and horse Balou Jeanz to trouble the top of the field, simply being on the hallowed turf of Burghley will make the journey worthwhile.

“Burghley for me is a lifelong dream,” said Clark, who is based near Adelaide in southern Australia.

“I’ve been watching Burghley on the TV since I was two years old and it’s always been one I wanted to do, to have a go at.

“To me it’s the pinnacle of eventing, it's always been a goal and with it finally back on, I had a horse that was ready.

“This is what I’ve been working and saving towards, so it was about time I spent the money, bit the bullet and got on with it.

“Me and my horse, we’re not looking to win it, we’re not looking to place but just being involved, having your name on the draw.

“I can’t wait to drive through the gates and be on the premises – it’s such a big thing. It's absolutely a holy grail.”

Clark admitted that the trip across the world had been costly, as she flew not just herself, but her horse and all necessary equipment to Amsterdam before making the trip across to the UK.

And the 35-year-old revealed there had been some nerves over transporting her 12-year-old gelding across land and sea.

“It’s a bit of a new experience for me,” added Clark, speaking ahead of the event that is back for the first time in two years - due to the Covid-19 pandemic - better than ever, with renewed impetus, a top class field and additional activities on offer.

“I’ve never flown a horse on an aeroplane before.

“It was fascinating to fly with the horses, but very long and it’s quite taxing on the horses.

“It’s not great for them health-wise. It puts a bit of an added challenge on a Burghley campaign.

“He seems to have coped really well, it just means he’s lost a week’s worth of riding and schooling and fitness.

“Hopefully he was fit enough before we left that the few days travelling doesn’t impact him too much.”

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials return for the first time since 2019 after two missed years due to Covid-19.

Anticipation is high for one of the flagship dates in the eventing calendar, which also sees a new course design.

And Clark is relishing the chance to ride at such a prestigious event in front of masses of spectators.

“It’s unlike anything we have in Australia,” said Clark.

“The crowds, we wouldn’t get like at Burghley, let alone the actual course.

“ I’m not quite sure how my horse is going to react and how I’m going to react to seeing all those people 10 rows deep.

“I’ve been trying to imagine riding and seeing crowds like that to try and trick my brain into thinking it’s normal.

Growing up watching it, seeing the best riders go around that amazing cross-country course – for me it’s the top of the sport.

“To be there is amazing and a bit of a proud moment to have got this far.”

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