Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight are on fire to lead at Defender Burghley

Gemma was one of only two riders to achieve the optimum time of 11 minutes 20 seconds around Burghley's famously undulating cross-country course.

The other was British rider Holly Richardson, who was only third out on the course with her first ride, Ballyneety Silver Service; she is now in third place after an eye-catching cross-country round, her best five-star result so far.

New Zealander Tim Price, the world number one, is in second place with his first ride, Global Quest, having added 4.8 time-faults.

The consistent British partnership of Katie Magee and Treworra are now in fourth place, having risen 15 places after dressage.

American team member Caroline Pamakcu, competing at her first Burghley, is in fifth place with her second ride HSH Blake and Swiss heroine Nadja Minder, the dressage leader, is sixth with her grand old campaigner Toblerone.

Gemma has known the 16-year-old Chill Knight (“Alfie”) since he was a foal; the pair won the one-off CCI5* at Bicton in 2021, staged during Covid, but this is the first time she has sat in pole position at Burghley.

“What a little legend,” said Gemma of her horse. “What a ride he gave me and what a partnership we have had over the 16 years we have been together.

“We had a wonderful ride until we got to the Leaf Pit [fence 24] and I saw a lovely distance. However, he had other ideas and put in an extra stride, but then he turned into Pegasus and I told him that I loved him.”

Gemma spends much time competing in showjumping and has the luxury of a fence in hand for tomorrow’s finale, but she cautions: “It is a very different thing riding a horse at the end of a three-day event to one of my jumpers.”

Tim Price, the world number one, retired his second ride, Falco, after a refusal, but was delighted with Global Quest, for whom Burghley was a big step up. “There was a lot of learning to be done here,” explained Tim.

“He has done a couple of five-stars but nothing of this magnitude. There were a few moments of seat-of-the-pants riding, but all based on good things from him. I am really proud of him.”

Holly, 30, made her mark at Badminton this year with a clear round inside the time on the grey Irish sport horse Ballyneety Silver Service, a ride she took over from his owner, Izzy Saxby.

“He just gallops and jumps - it's a case of me trying not to mess it up,” said Holly, who lives on the family farm in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and has a first-class degree in biomedical science. “His cross-country is unbelievable and the other bits are catching up.”

A huge crowd enjoyed both the sunshine and some thrilling sport. There were 24 clear rounds from the 46 starters, with great Burghley debuts from British riders Yasmin Ingham, now lying 11th with Goliath De Loir, and Jack Pinkney, 17th on Ciaragh Olala.

The hard luck story of the day was for Sarah Bullimore, who parted company from the well-fancied Corimiro at the last fence.

Tomorrow’s final horse inspection takes place at 9am.

As one of only six CCI5* competitions around the globe, Defender Burghley always attracts the very top athletes, and ranks alongside Wimbledon and The Masters as a sporting “major”. The event offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and lots to entertain children and less-horsey members of the family. HRH The Princess Royal is visiting Burghley – where she won the European Eventing Championships in 1971 – on Sunday to present the prizes after the final showjumping, and in her role as President of Burghley’s supported charity for 2026, World Horse Welfare, and as President of the British Eventing Support Trust.

Every minute of the action from Defender Burghley, from the first horse inspection to the final trophy lift, as well as the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals and the Main Arena Masterclasses, is broadcast on Burghley TV.

For the full timetable and to plan your visit to Defender Burghley visit 2026 Timetable.