Five-star event rider Franky Reid-Warrilow, who is based on the Powys–Herefordshire border, has capped a standout 2025 season with a return to top-level international competition.

Despite suffering multiple broken bones earlier in the year, Franky has re-established herself among Britain’s leading eventers, earning her first Team GB call-up in eight years.

She and her top horse, Guilty Pleasure, helped secure a team bronze for Britain at the Nations Cup in France, one of several major results that have marked her comeback season.

“It felt good to be back on an international podium representing my country again,” said Franky.

“After nearly a decade away from the pinnacle of our sport and having such success with my previous mare Dolley Whisper in my early 20s, it’s been a journey of grit, determination, perseverance, and unwavering passion for my horses.”

Franky’s return to five-star competition has come against significant setbacks. Last year, she suffered a serious fall while training one of her up-and-coming youngsters.

“As a team we have had to overcome our fair share of setbacks and as a result it’s been a steady climb back to the top tier, which is reserved for only 5 per cent of the world’s best event riders,” she said.

“Last year I suffered a serious fall at home in training and broke my back, an injury I’m still healing from today. That journey makes this season’s successes feel especially significant.”

Over the past decade, Franky has been on the brink of a five-star debut at Burghley, entering three times with her former ride Billy Champagne, only for late injuries to force her withdrawal each time.

Guilty Pleasure has been in Franky’s training programme for eight years and has steadily risen up the levels. Affectionately known on the Presteigne-based yard as ‘Annie’, Franky said: “She’s such a gritty, hardworking mare with a never give up attitude, which has seen her reach the top of the sport, higher than Olympic level.”

In June, Franky finally realised her long-awaited five-star ambition. Competing at Luhmühlen - Germany’s only event at the sport’s top level - she and Guilty Pleasure delivered an impressive performance, finishing eighth among the 21-strong British contingent.

Franky said: “Finally crossing that five-star finishing line has felt like a decade's worth of work, ups and downs and dreaming. It has meant a lot to my team, but now the dreams are even bigger!”

It hasn’t only been her top mare grabbing attention this season. Franky also campaigned her rising four-star prospect, Dolley Spectre - known as Piglet - at the 8/9-year-old World Championships at Blenheim Palace.

Franky runs a small but elite string of home-produced horses, each brought on from the age of three. With just eight on the yard, every horse receives a tailored training programme and the close attention of her tight-knit team.

Away from competing, Franky has built a career as a commentator, presenter and producer for Clip My Horse TV, the world’s largest equestrian broadcast platform.

“This season has been the most rewarding of my career so far,” said Franky.

“Returning to five-star level with such a talented team behind me has been incredible. I’m grateful for every opportunity, and I am excited to be able to expand my horsepower, whilst looking for new owners and investors to join our small but professional team.”