THE Defender Burghley Horse Trials celebrated its 65th anniversary over the weekend and it proved to be a memorable outing for Great Britain’s Gemma Stevens, who claimed the £120,000 winner’s prize on board Chilli Knight (who is known as ‘Alfie’ at home), owned and bred by Christopher and Lisa Stone.

The five-star event, one of just seven in the world, began with the trot-up last Wednesday, followed by two days of dressage on Thursday and Friday. The start list of 48 included some of the best-known combinations in the sport, representing seven nations. The Irish contenders were Lucy Latta on RCA Patron Saint; Susie Berry on John The Bull (ISH) and Clever Trick (ISH); Austin O’Connor on Sixmilewater (ISH); Sam Watson on Ballyneety Rocketman (ISH) and Joseph Murphy on Calmaro.