Will Rawlin storms dressage at 2025 Defender Burghley Horse Trials

Marlborough rider Will Rawlin impressed on return to Defender Burghley with a brilliant start to his competition.

The 31-year-old eventer scored 28.8 in the dressage phase on top of 13-year-old gelding BallyCoog Breaker Boy to open his campaign in Stamford.

The pair made their Defender Burghley debut together last year but were unable to place after being eliminated from the cross-country.

And with such a strong return already, Rawlin noted his excitement in their early success, placing third with still one day of dressage still to come.

"I'm really chuffed with that," he said.

"We've worked really hard since we were at Burghley last year and in the last couple of weeks it has all come into place.

"I haven’t done very long training sessions because I haven't needed to, I've just felt so good and do not see the point in making the horse do more than they need.

"He definitely went in there and lit up.

"He is not a horse that usually would get stage fright but it was the most atmospheric arena we have been in, having done Badminton twice before as well.

"He was with me all the way through. I'm kicking myself a bit because his changes have been so good recently but I just didn't quite execute them like I could."

Rawlin's first outing at the world-famous 5* event ended suddenly last year, pulling up just shy of completion in the cross-country after BallyCoog Breaker Boy displayed signs of tiredness.

But with the opportunity to now remedy that finish and finally get a full run, Rawlin is excited to 'get stuck in'.

"Last year I had a really good first spin at Burghley but was coming down to the last two minutes and something happened with the horse a couple of fences before," he said.

"I was concerned he was getting tired, so we pulled up.

"I would like to think he has got a lot fitter and stronger now so we will give it a good crack this year.

"I walked the course for the first time this morning.

"There are questions all the way around and it's one to respect but also just get stuck in."

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