A leading equine vet is set to realise a lifelong ambition by competing at the world-famous Badminton Horse Trials next month.

Katie Preston, 32, from Cranbrook, and her horse Templar Justice prepare to tackle one of the world’s most distinguished and difficult equestrian events.

It’s all the more of a daunting task for Katie as she combines competing in top equestrian events across Europe with her important work as a veterinary surgeon with Milbourn Equine, which has practices in Ashford, Hawkhurst, Canterbury and Rye.

However, Katie has already proved she can rise to the challenge after a hugely successful 2018, which saw her compete in the prestigious Burghley Horse Trials and be voted “Amateur Rider of the Year” by national magazine Horse and Hound.

She is now determined to build on that success with a strong showing at Badminton in Gloucestershire in May.

Katie said: “Competing there has always been a childhood dream for me but not necessarily one that seemed achievable.

“However, in the last few years I began to believe TJ would be the horse to take me there. For it to actually happen now is so incredibly special.

“It’s been hard work and there have been huge highs and lows but it has all been worth the stress and strain.”

Katie has been riding horses since junior school, had her first pony at the age of 10 and now spends her career working with them at Milbourn Equine.

She said: “My whole life seems to revolve around horses, especially TJ. I’ve had him since he was two years old and he’s now 12. Over the years, we’ve forged such a good partnership and risen up through the levels together.

“The Burghley Horse Trials were amazing last year. I was so excited to be there and it went so well. To now be competing at Badminton will be an awesome experience.

“It’s one of only six ‘five-star’ equestrian events in the world and to compete there really is my dream come true.”