Debut display to be proud of for Devon rider

Devon eventer Emily King credited mother Mary’s accomplished advice for her magnificent debut display at the 2023 Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

The Sidmouth-born equestrian star may not have matched her mother Mary King’s 1996 Burghley triumph but a completion on Valmy Biats was a stunning start to her Burghley career.

The future is bright for King, 27, who came 25th with a final score of 75.8.

And the Wales-based rider attributed her successful week with Valmy Biats, also known as ‘Grandad’, to the guidance and wisdom of her eventing legend mother.

“Over the first stage here when I went over for the finish she said, “why were you going so slow?”,” she said.

“I learned that was the thing that needed to be said to me, no beating around the bush but she’s amazing and she knows the drills.

“We’re so lucky to be here, so lucky to have got a completion under our belts and use that to build on that next year.”

Elsewhere, Beaworthy-based rider Padraig McCarthy managed a prize-winning feat of 17th after three consistent Burghley phases.

On Sunday, he was down two and given a 0.4 time penalty to finish on a respectable score of 57.7.

“He jumped very well,” McCarthy said. “He felt very fresh in the warm-up.”

Defender Burghley Horse Trials has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world’s top equestrians and over 170,000 visitors. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk