Event rider Tayla Mason is eager to line up at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials after missing out last year.
The 32-year-old, based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, was set to compete at the prestigious Lincolnshire event last year but was forced to withdraw due to a fall at West Wilts Equestrian Centre, which resulted in a serious thumb injury and broken collarbone.
Mason, originally from Kāpiti Coast on New Zealand's North Island, will now head to Burghley with her 15-year-old home-bred horse, Centennial, known as Chase.
The pair achieved their best five-star result earlier this year at the Badminton Horse Trials.
They finished sixth at the South Gloucestershire venue.
Mason said: "Excited is one way of describing it.
"I’ve always wanted to come to Burghley.
"I think it is an amazing event."
She added: "There is something about Burghley, and everyone does talk about it.
"I think the cross-country at Burghley is just so influential, and the course really has the respect of the riders.
"You have to be brave and respectful at the same time and have that grit to get it done.
"I think Burghley’s course really brings out those things."
She recovered from her injuries in time to finish eighth at Maryland before going even better at Badminton.
Her success at Badminton has given her confidence heading into Burghley.
Mason said: "In my mind, it was a real blow, but it was kind of like, ‘Wow, this has happened.'
"I’m going to have to move on and prepare for the next one.
"So, this year, I’m excited that we’re two weeks out.
"This is my plan and we’re all full steam ahead.
"Badminton was such a highlight for me this year too. I felt like at Badminton, everything finally came together.
"It was a good start to the year for me and Chase, and something that I’ve just kept trying to build on leading into Burghley."
Centennial, who was bred by Mason's mother Sonya in New Zealand, has been with Mason from the start.
The horse made the journey to Britain with Mason when she moved to the UK seven-and-a-half years ago.
Mason said: "We’ve gone up the grades together, so our bond is really strong.
"We know each other so well. He’s an incredible horse. He’s an incredible cross-country horse, so I’m looking forward to getting out with him."
Defender Burghley Horse Trials (3-6 September 2025) 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.
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