The 43-year-old from Market Harborough was a bundle of energy after an impressive run on horse Autograf.
The demanding course, which consisted of 31 gates and spanned 6500m, defeated some of the world’s best riders on the Saturday of Defender Burghley this year, but a thrilled Grieve jumped clear in a performance he could hardly put into words.
“I don’t know how to [sum up my emotions],” he said. “I’m so excited. I just got off and was thinking how amazing it was.
“He is so good and he is still so inexperienced. He has never done a 5* before and I’ve been off 5* for six years or so I’m just really glad to be back and enjoying it and he took so much confidence from me.
“It was just wonderful. The horse was phenomenal and I’m so lucky to have him.”
Grieve has been open about working with a mindset coach in the run-up to Defender Burghley this year.
The event marks his return to the 5* level in several years, with Autograf making his debut at the world famous Horse Trials.
Grieve revealed that he talked to his mind-set coach just minutes before taking on the nerve-wracking course on Saturday and noted that, no matter what people think of the practice, it worked a treat on the grounds in Stamford.
“The feeling of going clear on a 5* cross-country is unbelievable, it is such a sense of achievement,” he said.
“I saw my mindset coach just before I got on and some of it is a bit whacky, in pretending there is a circle to put your positive thoughts into and take it with you on the saddle.
“Maybe it works and maybe it doesn’t but it really worked for me today so I’m really chuffed.”
Grieve will now turn his attention to the final phase of competition in the show jumping.
It’s a discipline that Autograf is not as well known for, having struggled in the past, but with the opportunity to wrap up their maiden Defender Burghley together in style, Grieve is excited to see what they can do.”
“I’ve ridden him for three years and before that he was with Samantha Hobson and she did a beautiful job,” he said.
“His show jumping was a little bit weak so it will be interesting to see how he is tomorrow.
“The plan was originally to sell him but we were having such a good time and enjoying ourselves so much that we thought we’d carry on and have ended up here which is amazing.”
Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world’s top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk
