Libby Seed safely defused the ‘atom bomb’ beneath her to make a fine start to her first Defender Burghley Horse Trials in seven years.

Chippenham-based rider Seed, 27, scored 36.1 aboard Heartbreaker Star Quality in the dressage, the first of Burghley’s three phases, on a gloomy and gusty day in Stamford.

“It was really exciting to be in that atmosphere. It wasn’t our best test but she was very excited to be at a big test. Not the end of the world as it’s not all about the dressage but we have stuff to work on over the winter,” said Seed.

“I felt like I was on an atom bomb the whole time I was in there and she’s the easiest horse ever to deal with so I think that took me a bit by surprise.

“The first time she heard some applause she was a bit spooked so we worked in the warm up to get her a bit more settled. She was settled for the trot work but I was just trying to keep everything together for the walk. I’m a bit disappointed with the canter work but it’s a blowing gale.”

Alongside her eventing, Seed works full-time in the medical devices industry, specifically in Vascular Interventional Radiology, looking after diseased arteries and veins.

It seems she is striking the right balance and destined for a fine career in either or both fields, having already impressed at fellow top-level events at Badminton and in Pau.  

“I have a lot of help from my mum, she’s a big part of what goes on at home. I try to be very organised and know what’s happening with the horses a week in advance but it’s not easy, there are a lot of late nights and early mornings,” said Seed.

“We wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t worth it as it’s too time consuming and expensive, but I love it.”

Looking ahead, Saturday’s cross-country phase is often seen as the decisive leg of the Burghley challenge and Seed hopes she will still be among the contenders ahead of Sunday’s show-jumping finale.

“She’s a jumper and at the end of the day that’s what she’s bred to do so I wouldn’t like to be sat on anything else,” added Seed.  

“It’s the best course in the world, there won’t be too much sleep on Friday night before cross-country. To just be at a 5* is massive and it’s so beautifully presented so I’m very lucky to be here.”

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