Exeter rider shines at Burghley Horse Trials

Aaron Millar produced one of the rounds of the day during the cross-country phase of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials but the Exeter native did not stop there, writes Lucy Wilde from Sportsbeat.

Hailing his ‘very special horse’ after safely crossing the finish line of Burghley’s notoriously tough four-mile endurance test, Millar progressed to the final day of his first 5* event when other big names including Oliver Townend fell short.

The 36-year-old produced a brilliant showjumping performance to round off an impressive maiden 5* which saw him land in 25th place, and was full of praise for his green gelding Friendship VDL.

“He tried his heart out,” Millar said. “It was completely my fault that we rubbed a second rail, I just went a little bit to the hand rather than trusting him, but he again jumped his socks off. He came out on top form.”

Friendship VDL and his jockey had already proved themselves one’s to watch after finishing sixth at Bramham last year and inside

the top ten at the CC14* short at Bicton this spring.

Yet the duo went one step further to add to their growing roster of achievements on the big stage to produce an all-round clinical performance in the showjumping and cement a 5* top 25 finish.

“After the stamina test [cross-country] you never know how they’re going to come out,” Millar conceded when asked how the gelding had responded to the unrelenting Burghley terrain.

“It’s very unpredictable once they have galloped round a course like the one at Burghley but he came out and felt great, really fresh. It’s good to know that despite the fact this is his first time at this level he came out and really got into it.”

While Millar was amongst a select few relishing the opportunity to complete his first 5*, Olympic champion Ros Canter put the finishing touches on her spectacular summer by adding a first Burghley title and third 5* crown to her ever-growing eventing CV.

For Millar however, his 15th place finish marked the end to a memorable summer - one that he won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

“The Burghley experience has just been amazing. What a joy it’s been to be here, and to be on a horse like Friendship VDL at his first 5*, I’m just over the moon.”

Defender Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September 2024) 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