Aaron Millar hailed his ‘very special horse’ after conquering the famed and ferocious cross-cross country course at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

Exeter-born rider Millar and mount Friendship VDL ensured progression to the final day of the 5* event in Stamford on a morning where others faltered.

This is Millar’s first trip to Burghley for 14 years but he looked like he had never been away as plotted his way around the property and could not have been happier to come through unscathed.

“He’s a very special horse,” said Millar.

“It’s his first 5* and I’m just immensely proud of him. He took it all on, he was bold, respectful, I actually couldn’t have asked for anymore.

“I think he’ll settle next time a bit more because I don’t normally ride him with so much leg. The fences are a bit more impressive and the crowds, we put a bit more leg on so he was running a little bit away from me but after the first third I thought do you know what he’s on the game.

“I’m really proud of him.”

Competitors had the chance to walk the four-mile course several times before tackling it on a gloomy Saturday in Lincolnshire, with many seeing it as one of the toughest and biggest they have faced.

But Millar and his brave gelding rose to the challenge and the 36-year-old is now on the verge of completing the Burghley puzzle for the first time in his career.

“We bought him from McCarthy because he got kicked out of VDL because he was just too sharp to break,” said Millar.

“He’s very sharp, he’s very sensitive, he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. You’ve got to ride him with your head a bit. He’s not one you can go out and sort of kick, you need to let him travel, let him relax and take a breath and then you can kick on and go.”

And before turning attention to Sunday’s show-jumping, Millar is determined to revel in his achievement.

“I absolutely loved it,” he added. “This is why we do it, to come and do runs like this.

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