Lissa Green’s plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps by competing at her first Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials have been scuppered at the last minute.
The 28-year-old, who is the daughter of eventing legend Lucinda Green, was on site at the event with her 15-year-old ride Malin Head Clover, known at home as Ali G, when she broke the news that he was going to be unable to compete.
She posted on her Instagram page shortly before the first horse inspection was due to get under way: “Sadly I have had to withdraw MALIN HEAD CLOVER (Ali G) from [Burghley Horse Trials].
“I am in total shock, he has felt brilliant in this whole lead up, he was sound this morning on our wonderful ride together through Burghley Park and now, for whatever reason, he is not.
“I have no idea why or how this has happened – it could be anything from a bang in the stable to something in his foot to God knows what. Although not immediately obvious, it is there and I can’t risk competing my beloved boy in this condition.”
A photo posted by on
Lissa has been sharing her Burghley preparations with Horse & Hound readers in a guest blog on the website, in which she explained the lengths she had gone to to ensure that both herself and her ride were in tip-top condition.
She closed her Instagram post by saying: “What makes this even worse is that this was always going to the Ali’s last top level competition. I can’t believe we don’t get to do it together, we were really looking forward to going out on a high. ❤ Love you Ali ❤”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Lissa lets us know how she has been getting herself fit and prepared for her imminent Burghley debut
Lissa made her four-star debut at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in the spring, jumping round the cross-country course with one stop. However, she had to withdraw from the holding box at the trot-up the next morning when Malin Head Clover was unlevel.
Lissa’s mother Lucinda won Burghley twice, in 1977 on George — when the event also hosted the European Championships — and in 1981 on Beagle Bay.
Don’t miss our exclusive form guide for Burghley Horse Trials in the 31 August issue of Horse & Hound magazine
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
