Learning from the best
The youngest rider in this year's field, and a Defender Burghley debutant, is American rider Cassie Sanger who hails from Wilmington, Delaware.
At only 20 years old [she turns 21 next week on September 10], Cassie has already represented her country on Nations Cup teams and, with Burghley ride Redfield Fyre, stepped up to five-star at Defender Kentucky this spring.
Her solid performances
have earned her the Wilton Fair Grant – named after the 1987
Burghley winner - which has supported her travel to compete in the
UK.
Cassie has been based
with the reigning Burghley champion Ros Canter. “I watched Ros for
a good couple of years and decided that, if there was anyone I want
to ride like, and train with, it was Ros. She's been someone I have
idolised for a while, so last fall we reached out to her. She said
'yes', so here I am and I've learnt so much already.”
Cassie is currently a
college junior and studying journalism through an online school.
“It's my first time
at Burghley and it's beautiful. It was really cool getting to walk up
to all the iconic fences. I think it's a course that actually really
suits my horse so I'm just going to go for it at this point. I feel
ready for it so I'm excited to get out there.”