Katie Magee completed a memorable week at the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials by claiming second place with Treworra, continuing an extraordinary rise that has taken her from five-star newcomer to Burghley podium finisher in just two years.
Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight secured the Burghley title on a final score of 29.6, while Magee and Treworra finished second on 43.0. American rider Caroline Pamukcu completed the podium with HSH Blake on 44.0.
For Magee, the result was difficult to take in.
She admitted afterwards that the achievement felt almost unbelievable and described the occasion as hugely emotional, particularly after everything she and Treworra had accomplished together.
From a non-horsey family to the Burghley podium
Magee’s journey to the top level of eventing has been far from conventional. She did not grow up in an established equestrian family, instead discovering her enthusiasm for horses through her cousins and their ponies.
That early introduction eventually developed into a career in the sport, but her arrival at five-star level came relatively recently.
Magee made her five-star debut with Treworra at Pau in 2024, where the pair produced an impressive performance to finish 13th.
Only two seasons later, they are now Burghley runners-up.
The achievement is made even more striking by Treworra’s consistency throughout 2026. The 12-year-old gelding has recorded eight starts this season without finishing outside the top 10.
Treworra fights through the Burghley atmosphere
After an impressive cross-country performance, Magee and Treworra entered the final showjumping phase in contention for one of the biggest results of their careers.
They added 4.4 penalties in the showjumping to finish the competition on 43.0.
Although the gelding initially reacted to the intense Burghley atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd, Magee was delighted with the way he continued to fight for her throughout the round.
She explained that Treworra felt fresh and slightly tense at the beginning, but praised his determination and willingness to keep trying.
Magee’s approach before entering the arena was straightforward: concentrate on producing the best possible round, ride efficient lines and make every jumping effort as easy as possible for her horse.
Rather than focusing on a possible podium position, she wanted to give Treworra the opportunity to show what he could do.
“One in a billion”
Magee has never hidden how highly she rates her Burghley partner.
She described Treworra as one of the finest horses in the sport and said she considers herself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to ride him.
For Magee, much of the challenge at this level is not simply producing one major result but keeping an elite horse fit, confident and happy enough to continue performing season after season.
She believes experienced five-star horses can continue improving both physically and mentally when they are carefully managed.
After their outstanding Burghley performance, however, competition is no longer the immediate priority.
Treworra will now enjoy a well-earned holiday following what has been an exceptional season.
Magee revealed that he will return to the field alongside his close companion Claude, giving him the chance to relax after a campaign that has established him firmly among eventing’s most consistent performers.
For Magee, meanwhile, second place at Burghley represents another major milestone in a career that continues to progress at remarkable speed.
2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials – Top 10 Results
- Gemma Stevens – Chilli Knight: 29.6
- Katie Magee – Treworra: 43.0
- Caroline Pamukcu – HSH Blake: 44.0
- Tom Jackson – Hawk Eye: 46.1
- Nadja Minder – Toblerone: 46.7
- Yasmin Ingham – Goliath du Loir: 46.7
- William Coleman – Very Dignified: 47.2
- Benjamin Massie – Filao de Perle: 47.3
- Jonelle Price – Chilli’s Midnight Star: 47.8
- Harry Meade – Cavalier Crystal: 48.4
