‘Nothing else gives me that excitement’: Burghley first-timer Susie Berry on the magic of the horse-human partnership and her breakthrough year
Susie Berry and Ringwood LB at Burghley.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Irish Burghley Horse Trials first-timer Susie Berry Eventing chats to Horse & Hound about what sparked her love of horses, catching the eventing bug and her World Championships call-up *Please be patient to allow the video below to load*
Fast forward eight years and the Irish event rider is one of the nation’s most exciting breakthrough talents, with a string of horses at top level and her first senior championship on the horizon.
“I feel like all this year has been a little bit crazy. Until I stop, it won’t really sink in,” says Susie, whose top rides are owned by Nick and Helen Caton.
“Monbeg By Design is just the most gorgeous horse. Last year he picked up a little injury. We didn’t know if he would come back from it, but he has come back better than ever and it makes it even more special,” she says.
“I love them all, don’t get me wrong. But he wouldn’t naturally find it that easy and he tries so hard. It makes me a bit emotional talking about him, because he is such a little trier.”
This step up to top level has been meticulously planned and is supported by a solid foundation of competition experience.
“My mum breeds National Hunt horses and sells them as foals, so we have always had horses growing up. I showjumped until I was 14 then I got a Connemara pony who got me into it and I got the bug. I always told myself that I wanted to have it as a hobby and just enjoy it, without the pressure of making it your business. Then I went to Piggy [March]. I was meant to be there for a gap year. Eight years later, here we are.”
That love of horses and the horse-human connection underpins Susie’s drive and ethos as a rider, and as a competitor.
“Getting on the cross-country course, there’s no feeling like it. You can’t get that thrill really any other way,” says Susie.
“You think as one, rather than you make a decision and they have to catch up with your thought process.
“I love it, nothing else gives me the excitement as making a partnership with a horse and getting them to this level.”
Susie and Ringwood LB’s performance between Burghley’s white boards was rewarded with a score of 29.3, putting them in touching distance of the leaders at this stage.
“I’m over the moon with him and there’s way more to come,” she adds. “He must be nearly 18hh, but he doesn’t ride that big. He is very polite, but quite lazy.
“He has done a lot of four-stars, seen a lot of atmosphere, and I think he grows with that. Doing one-day events is a bit of a pain, a bit of a crowd atmosphere brings him to life.”
You might also be interested in:
‘Attitude, personality and belief in himself’: Burghley Horse Trials dressage leaders talk through their tests
‘It makes me emotional’: rider makes incredible injury recovery to compete at Burghley thanks to support team
Meet Tom McEwen’s groom Adam Short: ‘People think we’re pony patters, but we’re athlete managers’
How to watch Burghley Horse Trials 2025 live streams and on TV wherever you are
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
