Tom Jackson’s time at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials was well spent as the Maidstone-born eventer decidedly proved he was a rider to watch.

The 31-year-old guided his stallion companion Capels Hollow Drift to a fifth-place finish, after completing clear rounds in both the cross-country and showjumping phases of the famed competition.

Having finished second in his Burghley debut two years ago, the hope was to build momentum towards a 5* crown but Jackson can be content he left little on the course after a gruelling four days of competition.

“I’m over the moon with him (Capels Hollow Drift),” he said after completing the third and final phase of the world-class competition on a sunny day in Lincolnshire.

“He’s just an out and out trier. I don’t think he’s ever let me down and he just keeps continuing to get better and better.”

Jackson’s fifth-place finish meant four out of five of the top finishers were British, with Olympic medallist Ros Canter continuing her spectacular summer by adding a first Burghley title and third 5* crown to her ever-growing eventing CV.

Though the Kent native may have sought a closer battle for the top spot, this year’s Burghley hosted the strongest field on record with eight 5* winners in the mix.

With two clear rounds in the latter stages of the competition, not to mention a cross-country triumph over a notoriously punishing terrain, there was much to be content with as Jackson credited his ‘perky’ pal for sticking to the plan.

“Walshy (Capels Hollow Drift) felt very perky after the cross-country,” he said, when asked if the four-mile stamina test had taken its toll on horse and rider ahead of the final day of competition.

“For him, most horses would keep calm and relaxed but every time the crowd were applauding or someone jumped clear I just felt him get a little bit more energy and a little bit more lift.

“Before our showjumping round I made sure we were right at the gate for the person before me so as soon as he heard the applause he thought it was for him. After that there was no way he was going to get a fence.”

As the curtain closes on another efficient 5* outing the pair now look to regroup before making any definite plans to return to the main stage.

“I don’t know what’s next,” Jackson added. “He deserves a well-earned break now but we’ll probably aim for another 5* in the spring.”

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