MARLBOROUGH eventer Lissa Green will fulfil a lifelong dream when she competes at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials today.

The Badminton trials in May was the 28-year-old’s first four-star event, but Green had to withdraw before the final day because her horse, Malin Head Clover, had stiffened up.

Green, who runs Rockley Stable Yard, also suffered from flu at Badminton, so the primary school teacher hopes to properly launch her four-star career at Burghley.

“This is my first time at Burghley and I’m seriously excited. Ever since I started riding this horse, I always imagined Burghley would suit him,” she said.

“I’ve dreamt of doing a four-star since before I could walk, so every second of Badminton was the most amazing experience.

“I didn’t even have time to get nervous, I had a stupid child-like grin on my face from start to finish.

“You kind of forget what you’re doing and the enormity of the event, because I was just doing what I’d always wanted to do.

“When I wasn’t riding or smiling, I was sleeping because of the virus, so I think Burghley will be much more exciting because, hopefully, I’ll be fully fit.

“We did do the dressage and cross country at Badminton but he was just too stiff for the show jumping.

“For me, the horse’s welfare always comes first so I’d rather withdraw than push him to compete if he’s a bit sore.”

The Burghley Horse Trials is one of just six four-star events in the world, but Green has the support of two Olympians, her parents Lucinda and David, to guide her at such a prestigious event.

Green’s mother won silver for Great Britain at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, while her father, representing Australia, took gold eight years later in Barcelona.

She said: “They can give me really good advice at events, but I’m totally my own person because my mum’s away a lot teaching and my dad’s abroad as well.

“So I had to be able to do the whole thing on my own, but I couldn’t be more grateful for them whenever I have a question or a problem.”

The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials from August 31 – September 3 has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the Autumn Sporting Calendar for over 50 years. For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk