Susie Berry is still on cloud nine since she made her debut Olympic appearance as part of Ireland’s eventing team in Paris.

While the memories of Versailles and ‘surreal experience’ of representing her nation are still fresh in the 28-year-old’s mind, she’s determined to continue to be the author of success at the Burghley Trials.

Though her mare Irene Leva is less accustomed to competing on such famed ground, having only stepped up to make her 4* long debut at Bramham this year, Berry is unphased by the task at hand.

“I was thrilled with her this morning,” she said, immediately after guiding the mare through the dressage phase of the three day event.  

“She’s quite hot normally and at Bramham I was going in thinking she felt amazing and she completely lost it, so it was more about going in that arena for next time, it was never going to be good.”

Berry posted a mediocre score of 40.3 - a long way off Great Britain’s Ros Canter’s 19.9 - but stood firm in her decision to use the first dressage phase as a warm-up for the competition still to come.

“It was a case of making sure Irene Leva thinks it’s all a bit boring and a bit relaxed. I was really pleased with her and the bits she did really well were beautiful.

“The changes weren’t great, I felt like they dulled everything down a bit, but it was a really positive performance for the future.”

Burghley is famed worldwide for its pristine but punishing course, but Berry is no stranger to competing on unrelenting ground and remains resolute in her decision not to overthink the challenge ahead.

“You know you’re at Burghley. It’s massive, but these two horses [Irene Leva and Wellfields Lincoln] are class.

“Irena Leva in particular is an exceptional cross-country horse, so it will be really interesting to see what she thinks on Saturday.”

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