Will Rawlin made light work of a daunting start to his debut run at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
Rawlin, 30, and mount Ballycoog Breaker Boy are taking part in only their second 5* event but made an impressive start in Stamford, recording a score of 32.0 to sit within touching distance of the leaders, many of whom have represented their country at the Olympics.
The pair finished 24th on their top-level debut at Badminton earlier this year and Rawlin believes their best is yet to come.
“Really happy with that, the horse's first time here, my first time here, a really nice feeling for me in there, but a few little mistakes I need to work on but only our second 5* together, he’s still only 11,” said Marlborough’s Rawlin.
“There’s plenty of years still in him for us to solidify and really nail this phase which I know in time he can really do.”
Burghley offers a different vibe to Badminton, the only other 5* event in the UK, with many riders hailing its more relaxed atmosphere.
But Rawlin is contending with his own personal expectations having been based close by to Burghley prior to his move further south.
“It was my first Badminton in May and weirdly I felt quite relaxed about that. I do feel relaxed for this but this used to be my local, I used to come here, so I do feel a little bit under pressure,” he said.
“I’m not letting that get to me, just trying to take each phase as it comes, I’m trying to treat it as any other event.”
Looking ahead, Saturday’s cross-country phase is regarded as Burghley’s truest test but Rawlin is ready to tackle the course head on.
“The course is absolutely amazing, it’s like galloping on a golf course, really looking forward to getting out there,” he added.
“Talking to other people the first part is very intense, there’s a lot for the horses to jump right at the beginning and to really get them focused, channel them in between those flags, but I feel once you get through that Trout Hatchery they have time to breathe and relax and we just need to keep encouraging them to keep galloping round.
“They’ll do their bit and we’ll do our bit.”
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
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