A jubilant Gemma Stevens punched the air as she landed after the final fence in one of the most nerve-wracking showjumping rounds of her career, a clear round securing her first Defender Burghley title.

And she did it in sensational style — finishing on her dressage score aboard Chilli Knight, a horse she has known since he was born and who has only ever been ridden by her, to win by a convincing 13.4 penalties.

“Honestly, to jump a clear round is just so damn cool. I’m so proud of my horse, and I am a blubbery wreck, so I’m really sorry if I cry again,” said Gemma moments after leaving the arena.

“I’m just so proud of that little horse, and proud of myself for holding it together because I was literally shaking down the reins, but he just felt amazing. We jumped the first two jumps and I was like, “Come on, boy, we can do this’.”

‘He’s a little tiger’

Chilli Knight (‘Alfie’), a 16-year-old stallion, was bred by owners Christopher and Lisa Stone.

He is by their great stallion Chilli Morning, a former Badminton winner with William Fox-Pitt.

“His [Alfie’s] heart’s as big as he is; he’s just an amazing little animal. Out there on the cross country, he’s a little tiger,” said Gemma, who first competed at five-star level 15 years ago.

One of her first rides at the top level was the chestnut mare Kings Gem, a former ride of Mary King and the dam of Chilli Knight.

“I feel like I’ve been doing this a long time, so I can’t tell you how amazing this feels . To win a Big B is a dream come true. It really is,” added Gemma.

‘The guilt was horrendous’

The win comes just weeks after what Gemma called one of the lowest points of her career.

At the FEI World Championships in Aachen, she and Flash Cooley failed to complete the cross-country when pathfinders for the British team, who went on to win team gold.

“It was one probably the second lowest point in my career. The guilt that I felt was horrendous,” confessed Gemma.

“I know everyone says, ‘Well, you shouldn’t feel guilty’, but I did. I took a place up and I failed. I know I was [still part of the team], and I definitely earned my place, but I just felt horrific about it.

“But you’ve got to just pick yourself up in sport. You’ve got to show resilience, and you’ve got to get out there and get on with it.”

Katie Magee and Treworra finished second, ahead of US rider Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake. Full report to follow.

Images by Tim Wilkinson

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