This weekend saw eventing history being made, with Gemma Stevens winning the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials on the largest winning margin since 1998, claiming her first Burghley title with her long-term partner Chilli Knight.
Their win is the result of years of training, building trust, and getting to know each other inside out, with Gemma having known the 16 year-old, known to his friends as Alfie, since his birth. Chilli Knight was bred for success at the top level of eventing sport, sired by the prolific Chilli Morning, who of course in 2015 was the first stallion to win a 5* event at Badminton and subsequently sire another 5* winner when Chilli Knight won Bicton in 2021. But breeding alone doesn’t guarantee success, and what gives Gemma and Chilli Knight the edge is their unique connection. This connection undoubtedly has been helped by Gemma having competed Chilli Knight’s dam, King’s Jem, to top level, including at Burghley in 2011.
Gemma and Chilli Knight finished on their dressage score of 29.6, taking the win by a remarkable 13.4 penalties, the largest winning margin in almost 30 years. Katie Magee finished second on 43.0 followed by US rider Caroline Pumukcu on 44.0, demonstrating the problems the cross-country optimum time and the showjumping caused many riders. Gemma and Chilli Knight were one of only two combinations to finish inside the optimum time of 11min 20sec, and deliver a clear round in the showjumping.
Punching the air as they cleared the last fence, Gemma knew they’d secured the win and the £120,000 prize money. But perhaps what means more than the title is knowing sixteen years of building a partnership paid off.
If you’d like to get a glimpse of life on Gemma’s yard, including Chilli Knight’s preparation for Burghley, meet her other rides and gain unique insight into her everyday training, you’ll enjoy Horse & Country’s exclusive series in partnership with Coldstream Behind the Stable Door, with a whole episode dedicated to behind the scenes of Gemma’s yard.
Watch the full episode below, or click here for more episodes.