THREE-TIME Olympic medallist Laura Collett had plenty to smile about after a successful return to the Defender Burghley Horse Trials for the first time in 14 years.
The 36-year-old from Leamington Spa and trusty steed Bling placed 10th at the famed 5* event after a near faultless display in the show jumping on Sunday.
She downed fence 8 en route to completing the course in just one minute and 16 seconds.
It left Collett with an overall score of 44.2 by the competition’s close. Her Olympic teammate Ros Canter crowned champion for the second year running on board Lordships Graffalo.
Collett said: “I am really pleased with that. Bling actually jumped really well and was a bit unlucky jumping quite big into one of the distances and just didn’t quite get it.
“To come out after what she did yesterday in cross-country and then go into that must be hard.
“It’s very different jumping in a top-10 atmosphere to 40th in Badminton so she has taken it really well and hopefully she has had a good experience this week. Roll on next year.”
For Collett, this year marked a valuable learning experience for her noble steed. And the three-time Olympic medallist believes their future together has never been brighter.
Collett added: “It was about survival, as it was for Badminton.
“She is on a very big learning curve and it’s just about giving her a positive experience and has a nice time and comes out ten times better the next time.
“That has been the key this week. It has been a really good experience and I think she has taken everything in her stride. Even in the stable she felt happy and she is definitely proud of herself.
“I have loved it. When I first walked in I was wondering what I was doing being back here but she’s a fantastic horse and has given me the confidence to believe in myself and believe in her. She is just so exciting for the future.”
Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) 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
