Gemma Stevens takes control at Burghley

Gemma is guaranteed to lead the field heading into Sunday's showjumping finale on a score of 29.6 after finishing three seconds inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 20 seconds.

The 2021 Bicton five-star winner now has a glorious chance to land one of eventing's most prestigious titles and its £120,000 top prize, putting herself into pole position for what is certain to be a nerve-shredding conclusion.

Piggy, Burghley champion aboard Vanir Kamira four years ago, was among those in touch ahead of Gemma's cross-country round in glorious Saturday afternoon sunshine as bumper crowds looked on.

"I got voice notes from Piggy, which honestly I couldn't play to you, but it was basically 'get out there and get on with it'! I do always get out there and want to get on with it, and that is what you have to do.

"But after such a disappointment [at last month's World Championships when Gemma and Flash Cooley were eliminated on cross-country following three refusals] and your dreams are completely crushed, it is really hard to pick yourself up. But I just thought 'do you know what? I am coming here with this little boy - get on with it!"

Reflecting on her round, Gemma added: "It felt like a rollercoaster. It [the course] just felt like you were constantly climbing or going downhill, turning the corner to another humungous fence. It was so relentless.

"I kept being down on my minutes, and I was like 'Oh, no, I am never going to get the time'. Then I managed to claw it back, and then I was down on the next one, and then I clawed it back again, and I went round the whole course like that.

"And then I got up to the Leaf Pit, and then we had a seriously dodgy moment. But Alfie [Chilli Knight] literally leapt as far and wide as he possibly could over that corner. I am really sorry to all the people down there because there was a lot of swearing - and then there was a lot of telling them how much I loved him on landing! That is what partnerships are about."

While there was elation for Gemma, leader after dressage Nadja Minder slipped down the rankings after collecting 13.2 time penalties with 19-year-old campaigner Toblerone.

Nadja said: "He is such a five-star warrior now, and he helped me out so many times. I wish I had given him a better ride, but it is what it is. You know, he just pricks his ears, looks for the flags, front feet up, back feet up, and on we go. He is incredible.

"I don't want to say it's his last run here because he has been so good in the build-up and everything. He is definitely the horse that has shaped my career."