Family inspiration for Edmundson on Burghley debut
Mary Edmundson did not have to look very far if she required inspiration ahead of her debut at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
Standing firmly in the Suffolk-based rider's corner are mum Debbie, who shone as a serial winner across eventing and showjumping, and father Patrick, a highly-respected horseman who also plays a huge role at the family yard near Woodbridge.
Debbie enjoyed an accomplished riding career, winning Junior Showjumper of the Year at the 1974 Horse of the Year Show - fellow former winners include Michael Whitaker, Harry Charles and Jessica Mendoza - before switching to eventing and achieving further success as a two-times team gold medallist for Great Britain in the European Junior Championships, which also included two individual silvers.
She did not stop there either, completing Burghley in 1986 with a top-30 finish, and is now preparing to watch Mary mark that 40th anniversary by tackling its unique test aboard experienced campaigner Lionel II.
"My mum has really been the most amazing person to look up to throughout my whole life. I was lucky enough to be able to watch her compete when I was little, and both my parents have been great role models, the hardest-working people I know," said Mary.
"Mum won the Eventers' Challenge at Hickstead, did Burghley, Badminton, Boekolo and Punchestown - all the cool stuff! She's hard to keep up with! My dad competed to advanced level as well, and he is particularly talented at breaking horses in.
"It all feels a bit surreal going to Burghley. It has already given me so much in my life. We would stay the week there as a family, and one of my earliest memories was watching the steeplechase. I was in the Pony Club team showjumping competition for about six years, and after that would go with university and eventing friends, so to compete in the five-star is like the cherry on top.
"It has always been a goal of mine to compete at Burghley. My feeling was that if we had a good summer with some good rounds under our belt then we would give it a go, and it has worked out."
Mary has had a 10-year partnership with Lionel II, making a solid completion on five-star debut in Pau last year, while strong showings at Bramham and Hartpury four-stars this season offered an encouraging Burghley forecast.
"He came to us to be broken in at four, and we have been together for 10 years now," she added. "He has always been an out and out cross-country horse - it comes very naturally to him.
"I would describe Lionel as incredibly humble. He never ever will make a big deal or a fuss about anything, he just wants to sit in and do the right thing the whole time."