GB's Stevens claims biggest win of 25-year career
Britain's Gemma Stevens claims the biggest win of her 25-year career with victory at Burghley Horse Trials.
At the Burghley Horse Trials, Britain's Gemma Stevens achieved her biggest triumph yet in her 25-year career. Riding the talented Chilli Knight, the 41-year-old Olympian secured a perfect showjumping round, finishing the competition with an outstanding dressage score of 29.6 - the only competitor to accomplish this feat.
Her compatriot Katie Magee secured the second place on Treworra, while USA's Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake claimed the third spot. Stevens, who first participated in this level of competition in 2007, expressed her immense pride in finally claiming a significant victory. She stated, "It's only taken me 25 years and finally I've managed to win a big B [Burghley or Badminton]. I couldn't be more proud."
Stevens had previously ridden Chilli Knight's mother, King's Gem. She expressed her deep connection with the horse, saying, "It's unbelievable, I've known him [Chilli Knight] since the day he was born and this honestly means the absolute world." This win serves as redemption for Stevens after a disappointing World Championships in Aachen, Germany last month, where she failed to complete the cross-country event for the British team.
She acknowledged the challenge, saying, "Aachen was really tough, but that's sport. You've got to just bounce back and get on with it."
The Burghley Horse Trials were originally scheduled to take place in 2021, but the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Stevens and Chilli Knight had previously won the replacement five-star event at Bicton in 2021.
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