Sarah Clark has been hooked on horses from the age of two and will fulfil a lifelong dream by competing at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

The storied event, set against the backdrop of the 16th-century Burghley House, returns this September for the first time since 2019.

Clark has made the marathon voyage from Adelaide, Australia to Stamford, Lincolnshire in order to compete at the event that she dreamed of as a child.

“I have family in the UK and when I was little they would send me videos on VHS and magazines of horses,” explained Clark, speaking ahead of the event that is back for the first time in two years - due to the Covid-19 pandemic - better than ever, with renewed impetus, a top class field and additional activities on offer.

“It was Badminton and Burghley and eventing that really caught my interest.

“From then, every year my aunt sent me videos of Badminton and Burghley which fed my interest.

“My aunt in the UK sent me two or three riding lessons as a birthday present when I was six.

“It just never stopped.”

Clark’s early passion for all things equine never waned, as the now 35-year-old embarks on her first 5* on British shores at the iconic Burghley.

And the Australian believes that while she and 11-year-old gelding Balou Jeanz may not challenge for medals, they head into the event in good form.

“Burghley for me is a lifelong dream,” said Clark. “I’ve been watching Burghley on the TV since I was two years old and it’s always been one I wanted to do.

“Growing up watching it, seeing the best riders go around that amazing cross-country course – for me it’s the top of the sport.

“It was a long time to wait when I felt I was ready to come over. It was a bit frustrating to have to wait for Covid to go away before I could get on with it.

“We’ve been running well at 4* level this year, it’s hard to feel 100% prepared but I’m feeling as prepared as we can be.

“Completing is definitely the main aim. We’re always there for the cross-country.

“I don’t expect we’re going to be fast, we’re probably going to get a few time faults, but he’s a good jumper so I hope we can get round in our own time.

“But that’s why I’m here really – to have a crack at that cross-country.”

Such is the esteem in which Clark holds the event in the first weekend of September, the Australian has moved heaven and earth to ensure she is there.

The 35-year-old travelled for over a day to make it from Adelaide to Amsterdam before making the trip across the Channel, and sold horses in order to fund her trip of a lifetime.

“It’s very nerve-wracking because I’ve never done it before, my horse has never done it before and it’s also bloody expensive,” added Clark.

“I’ve had to make a few sacrifices, had to sell a couple of really good horses for big money and work pretty hard to be able to afford it.”

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1-4 September 2022) returns after a two-year hiatus, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A major international sporting and social event for over 50 years it attracts 80 of the world’s top equestrians and over 170,000 visitors. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk