Heartbreak as world medallist Laura Collett withdraws Burghley ride, explaining ‘her welfare is more important’

Double World Championships medallist Laura Collett has withdrawn Bling from Defender Burghley Horse Trials (3-6 September), as the mare’s welfare is her top priority.

Laura confirmed today (1 September) that Yvonne Ferguson’s home-bred 13-year-old would not compete; they had been drawn as number 47.

“Absolutely heartbroken to say we have had to withdraw Bling from Burghley,” Laura said.

“Unfortunately she banged her leg and isn’t 100%. Absolutely gutted I won’t get to fly round five-star cross-country on her again this year, but her welfare is more important.”

Laura has been riding the Kannan mare for five years; she told H&H that from the start, she thought she could be a Burghley horse. She was proved right last year, when she returned to the Lincolnshire event for the first time since 2011, and finished 10th. They jumped clear across country but one showjump down dropped them from seventh place.

Laura and Bling have also completed Badminton twice, finishing 43rd in 2025 and 14th this year, and they have had four top-10 finishes at four-star level over 2025 and 2026. Equestrian data analysts Equiratings had put them in their top 10 most likely winners, giving them a 12% chance of finishing on the podium.

Laura has previously told H&H Bling “75% of the time would be a bay gelding but when she is a chestnut mare it’s a pretty monumental chestnut mare!” But, Laura added at the time, she is also an “unbelievable cross-country horse and jumper”.