Emma Hyslop-Webb is back after a few season hiatus from the 5* scene and ready to prove the time she spent producing worthy horses was well spent as she steps out at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

This will be the Leicestershire native’s third time at the infamous Stamford venue, but the same cannot be said of the experience of her 10-year-old mount, who made his 5* debut in the dressage phase.

While Hyslop-Webb acknowledges riding Jeweetwel, a name which means You Know Who in Dutch, is no small challenge, she remains confident in his ability to produce a quality performance across the board.

“I’m really pleased for a 10-year-old at 5* level,” she said, reflecting on the pair's performance in the dressage, the first of three events at Burghley.

“He can produce a lot better work but sometimes you go in there and the tension creeps in and it did today. There were some nice bits but also some expensive bits but he’s very much a horse for the future.”

After 20 riders Hyslop-Webb and Jeweetwel sat in 14th position, having posted a score of 37.7, but the 39-year-old jockey was proud of such a solid first-effort on the main stage.

“I’m pleased with how he handled it, he stayed soft and for a baby in that arena I should be buzzing, but I know what he is capable of.

“Looking ahead to the cross-country course, it’s very well built. There will be some places where I will go long with him being a 10-year-old. I will be riding one of those rounds for the horse, not for my pride.

“He has a lot of stamina and is very fast, he would like to go faster than what I usually let him, so it will be nice to open him up a little out there.”

Burghley remains one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian calendar, with this year’s field of entrants deemed to be the highest quality in Burghley’s history, but Hyslop-Webb has another focus.

This week is more about being competitive than producing winning performances, but as someone who lives under an hour away from Burghley, Hyslop-Webb is nevertheless embracing the chance to compete.

“I can’t say I had Burghley in mind this time last year but Jeweetwel has come on a lot. Walking that course you see so many different options and you have to ride creatively.

“I’ve had him since the back end of his five-year-old year, he has been a horse I’ve thought a lot of but he was very shy, couldn’t trust humans and we’ve been building that up.

“He has a huge heart and that will stand him in good stead for cross-country.”

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