Five-star North Wales eventer ‘gutted’ at Burghley result

There was huge disappointment at Defender Burghley Horse Trials this weekend for Flintshire-based eventer Emily King and her top horse, Valmy Biats, as they failed to capitalise on an excellent dressage score and achieve the result Emily "knows he’s capable of obtaining".

Emily King and Valmy Biats at Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025. PHOTO: Wales Equestrian

The pair have had back-to-back top-five placings at Badminton and were tipped for a podium place at this, the toughest eventing test in the world.

They were lying an impressive 6th after dressage on a score of 26.1.

It was not to be, however, as across country the pair only made it to fence 7, the imposing water jump, where Valmy misread the question and wasn't able to clear the brush after the big step up out of the water. After popping the long route, Emily decided to call it a day and reroute to another 5* this autumn.

Reacting after the disappointing day, Emily said: "Gutted for all connections that Val and I had an early mistake XC at @burghleyhorsetrials.

"It was a true 5* track that took no prisoners. Huge congratulations to all the clear XC combinations, and especially to @ros_canter_eventing, who last weekend, was quite simply in a league of her own.

"We’re fortunate that Val is sound and feeling super happy, so we’ll reroute to another 5* this season to chase the result I know he’s for capable of obtaining . He’s a lion, but a sensitive one - and I’m still learning his buttons every day.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey with us."

Emily and Val were longlisted for the European Championships being held in Blenheim next weekend, but frustratingly for them didn't make the final team this time.