Aaron Millar knows it takes a special horse to rise to the occasion at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials but he isn’t writing off his prospects with gelding Friendship VDL.

The Exeter-born rider finished second at the 4* long at Millstreet last year and completed Pau 5* with Badminton Horse Trials entry KEC Deakon.

Although this is only the third time the 36-year-old has appeared at the Stamford venue he is relishing the opportunity to compete amongst the strongest field Burghley has seen since it was first held in 1961.

“Burghley stands alone in its significance really. You have to have an extremely special horse to come here. It’s an amazing event and we’re privileged and lucky as riders to be here.

“I think everyone gets nervous but it’s a different type of nerves, I get quite quiet but you just want it to go well for the horse. It’s a huge team effort to get one horse here and this is the horse’s first 5* so it’s good to get one under the belt and hopefully have a nice spin round on Saturday.”

Saturday’s cross-country phase is pitted as the most punishing course in the eventing calendar, with over four miles of undulating ground and 30 fences the stage on which riders are challenged to dance.

This year’s Defender Burghley sees a record-breaking field of entrants - the strongest on record - with eight 5* winners in the mix, but Miller is opting not to dwell on statistics and instead focus on his horses.

“I was really pleased with Friendship VDL today, over the moon,” he said.

“He’s quite a sensitive horse. He’s kind of at the stage where I have to make sure the changes happen and they’re correct rather than showing them off.

“He looked pretty wild on Wednesday, quite excited and jolly, but he went in, took a deep breath and I could really ride him which was a real luxury.”

Miller is up against a field of over 60 international riders, but 5* debutant Friendship VDL has already proved capable of performing under pressure, having finished inside the top ten at Bicton this year in tough conditions.

This sets the duo in good stead to tackle the Lincolnshire terrain, with Millar viewing this week as an opportunity to tame a sometimes nerve-ridden stallion and even better, a chance to mix things up.

“One of the reasons I brought him to Burghley was that he can get a little hot on the flat so hopefully the cross-country will be a little more influential. I’ve been here twice but it’s Burghley. It’s not to be underestimated.”

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