The now 44-year-old from Market Harborough scored his best 5* result yet last year at Burghley with horse Autograf, who he has returned with again this year
Local hero Simon Grieve returns to the famous Defender Burghley Horse Trials looking to impress the thousands travelling spectators and represent as the man to watch.
The now 44-year-old from Market Harborough scored his best 5* result yet last year at Burghley with horse Autograf, who he has returned with again this year. With defending champion Ros Canter and Laura Collett, who between them made up half of the British team who recently took team eventing gold at the world championships, absent, there is a real gap for Grieve to break through.
“I don’t think you could ever say that [it gets easier],” he said. “The build up to a 5* and being here is a big deal so I wouldn’t have said it gets easier.
“But it’s great to be here with Autograf, he’s so confident and happy in his job, we’re having a great time at the moment. Burghley is just a sensational event, there’s a real end of term feel to it. Coming towards the end of the season, it’s the pinnacle of everything, that’s what makes it stand out amongst everything else.”
Last year marked Grieve’s return to the 5* level after several years, as well as Autograf’s Burghley debut, and just minutes before taking to the course for the cross country he was talking with his mindset coach. The pair went on to impressively clear the demanding course, much to the unbelievable delight of Grieve, and finished 18th overall at the end of the weekend.
Now, having continued to work on his mindset and finding the methods that work best for him, Grieve is ready to attack the iconic trials once more.
“That’s a massive topic [working on your mindset], it’s a big subject,” he said. “There are lots of different ways I deal with it now.
“But the most important one is about dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s, having everything prepared, making sure you’ve done your homework.”
But when it comes to expectations for this week, Grieve and Autograf just want to “have a fun time”.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials (3-6 September 2026) 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