Alice Casburn: The Powerful Rise of a British Eventing Star
From a Home-Bred Partnership to International Success, Championship Gold and a New Chapter in Equestrian Sport
Alice Casburn is a British event rider who has built her reputation through a remarkable partnership with the home-bred gelding Topspin. Born in January 2002, she has progressed from youth competition to the highest levels of eventing, representing Great Britain at major international championships and five-star horse trials. Her career has been closely connected with Topspin, a horse bred by her family that she eventually took over as a rider in 2018.
Her breakthrough period came in the early 2020s. She completed her first five-star event at Pau in 2021, achieved a memorable 19th-place finish at her Badminton debut in 2022, and finished fifth at Burghley that same year. She also won team gold and individual bronze at the 2022 European Championships for Young Riders at Hartpury. These results helped establish her as one of Britain’s notable young event riders.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alice Casburn |
| Birth | January 2002 |
| Age | 24, as of September 2026 |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Professional Event Rider |
| Sport | Equestrian Eventing |
| Represents | Great Britain |
| Base | Corpusty, Norfolk, England |
| Best-Known Horse | Topspin |
| Mother | Caroline Casburn |
| Major 2022 Achievement | European Young Rider Team Gold and Individual Bronze |
| Major Award | 2022 Longines FEI Rising Star Award |
| 2026 Achievement | British Under-25 National Champion |
| Education/Training | AASE with Haddon Training |
Who Is Alice Casburn?
Alice Casburn is a British equestrian athlete specializing in eventing, a discipline that combines dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Her development has been closely associated with Topspin, a second-generation home-bred gelding owned by her mother, Caroline Casburn.
Her story stands out because Topspin was not initially considered the obvious horse for Alice. Caroline had already competed him successfully in show jumping, but his sharp and quirky nature meant that Alice had to develop considerable experience before taking the ride. Eventually, in 2018, she took over Topspin when he was 10 years old.
The partnership gradually developed from youth competition into international five-star eventing. By 2026, Alice had become an established British U25 rider, while Topspin had reached semi-retirement after a distinguished competitive career.
Early Life and Family Background
Alice grew up in Norfolk and is based in Corpusty, around 16 miles north of Norwich. Horse riding became an important part of her upbringing, and she developed through the North Norfolk branch of the Pony Club.
Her mother, Caroline Casburn, is also a highly experienced equestrian. Caroline competed at Badminton in 1994 and later that year represented Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague. This family background gave Alice a strong connection with eventing from an early age.
Topspin was also part of Alice’s childhood. He was born when Alice was six years old, meaning the two effectively grew up together. The horse was bred by the family and remained in the same stable where he was born. This long relationship became one of the defining features of Alice’s career.
Education and Professional Training
Alice completed her A Levels before concentrating increasingly on eventing. She later completed an Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence, commonly known as AASE, through Haddon Training.
Rather than following a conventional university route, she moved toward a professional life centered on horses and competition. Public profiles have stated that she helps at her mother’s livery yard, combining riding with practical work around the family’s equestrian operation.
Her training has included working with her mother Caroline as well as trainer Judy Hancock. This combination of family experience and professional coaching has supported her progression through increasingly demanding levels of eventing.
Alice Casburn and Topspin
A Partnership Built Over Many Years
Topspin is a British-bred AES-registered bay gelding, foaled in 2008. He stands approximately 17.1 hands high and is by the KWPN stallion Zento out of Capriati, whose sire was the Thoroughbred El Conquistador.
He is a second-generation home-bred horse. Caroline competed Topspin’s grandmother at advanced level, adding another family connection to the horse’s story. Topspin was originally competed by Caroline in show jumping and reached Grade A level.
When Alice eventually took the reins in 2018, the partnership had to overcome the horse’s difficult characteristics. Public descriptions have called Topspin quirky and sharp, with a particular tendency to become nervous around other horses in warm-up areas.
From Difficult Young Horse to Five-Star Performer
The transformation was significant. Alice and Topspin progressed through the eventing levels together, eventually reaching five-star competition.
Their first five-star event came at Pau in 2021, where they finished 19th. The following year, they produced an impressive performance at Badminton, where Alice was the youngest competitor in the field and finished 19th overall.
The pair then finished fifth at Burghley in 2022. Their ability to perform across dressage, cross-country and show jumping established them as a serious international combination.
Career Highlights and Major Achievements
Alice’s career includes several important milestones. In 2019, she represented Great Britain at the Junior European Championships at Maarsbergen with Topspin and finished 16th individually.
In 2021, she moved into five-star eventing, completing Pau in 19th place. She also recorded strong four-star results, including second places at Little Downham and Blair Castle.
The 2022 season became a defining period. At the European Championships for Young Riders at Hartpury, Alice won team gold for Great Britain and individual bronze with Topspin. The same year, she finished 19th at Badminton and fifth at Burghley.
Her performances earned her the Longines FEI Rising Star Award in 2022. The award recognizes young athletes aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding equestrian talent.
Career Timeline
2018
Alice took over the ride on Topspin when he was 10, beginning the partnership that would later reach five-star eventing.
2019
She represented Great Britain at the Junior European Championships at Maarsbergen with Topspin and finished 16th.
2021
Alice completed her first five-star event at Pau, finishing 19th. She also achieved strong four-star results, including second place at Little Downham and Blair Castle.
2022
She made her Badminton debut as the youngest competitor and finished 19th. Later that year, she won team gold and individual bronze at the Young Rider European Championships at Hartpury. She also finished fifth at Burghley.
2023
Alice and Topspin finished seventh at Burghley and 18th at Badminton, alongside other strong four-star results.
2024
The pair finished fifth at Luhmühlen and 10th at Burghley. Their Badminton campaign ended with retirement on cross-country.
2025
Alice continued competing internationally with Topspin, including another Badminton appearance. At Burghley, she produced a personal-best five-star dressage score of 31.4.
2026
Alice won the British Under-25 national title at Bramham with Topspin. She and Topspin were then selected for Britain’s team at the inaugural FEI Under-25 Eventing World Championships at Millstreet, Ireland. The British team won gold, although Topspin was withdrawn before the final trot-up after leading Alice to the top of the individual standings following cross-country.
2026: A New Chapter for Topspin
The 2026 season represented both achievement and transition. At Bramham in June, Alice and Topspin won the Under-25 national title. They also finished sixth in the overall CCI4*-S standings.
At the inaugural Under-25 World Championships in Millstreet in July, Alice and Topspin delivered a powerful cross-country performance and moved to the top of the individual leaderboard. However, Topspin was withdrawn before the final phase, and Alice did not receive an individual finishing position.
Great Britain nevertheless won team gold. The result added another international team title to Alice’s career.
In August 2026, it was reported that Topspin was moving toward semi-retirement. Alice has described the horse as happy and healthy, with plans for an active but less demanding future. The decision reflects the long-term importance of the horse’s welfare after years of elite competition.
Riding Style and Professional Approach
Alice’s career demonstrates the importance of patience, adaptability and partnership in eventing. Topspin’s temperament meant that success did not come simply from athletic ability. The rider had to understand a horse that could be difficult in certain situations while encouraging him to perform confidently on demanding cross-country courses.
Her development also shows a willingness to progress gradually. Rather than rushing directly toward the biggest competitions, she moved through youth championships, four-star competition and then five-star events.
Her public interviews and profiles frequently emphasize the relationship between rider and horse. That partnership has been central to her professional identity.
Personal Interests
Publicly available profiles provide only limited information about Alice’s personal life, and many private details have not been disclosed through reliable sources.
Known interests include swimming, particularly beach swimming, reading and socializing. Her life remains closely connected to horses, with her professional activities involving riding, training and work around the family’s livery yard.
There is no reliable public basis for adding private relationship information, detailed financial figures, personal medical information or other sensitive claims to her biography.
Awards and Recognition
Alice has received significant recognition during her young career.
Her most notable individual award came in 2022, when she received the Longines FEI Rising Star Award. The recognition followed her strong season, including her European Young Rider team gold and individual bronze medals.
She has also received British Eventing awards connected with her 2022 European Championship performance, including the Sir John Burder Trophy and the Edy Goldman Trophy, according to contemporary eventing coverage.
These honors reflect her achievements at youth and emerging international level.
Current Career Status
As of September 2026, Alice Casburn remains an active international event rider representing Great Britain. FEI records list her as an active athlete and show competition results during 2026 with both Topspin and LSS Ile De Re.
Topspin’s move toward semi-retirement means Alice’s future career will increasingly involve developing other horses. LSS Ile De Re, an AES mare born in 2017, has already appeared in her 2026 FEI results, including CCI4*-S competition at Hartpury and CCI4*-L competition at Blenheim.
This transition is an important stage in her career because building success with a new horse requires developing another partnership from the ground up.
What Makes Alice Casburn Notable?
Alice Casburn’s story is particularly distinctive because her rise has been connected to a horse bred within her own family. Topspin was not simply a competition horse; he was a horse Alice knew from childhood and eventually developed into a five-star performer.
Her achievements also demonstrate how quickly a young rider can progress when experience, training and opportunity come together. From Junior European competition in 2019 to five-star competition in 2021 and major international medals in 2022, her career developed at an impressive pace.
At the same time, her 2026 transition illustrates that elite sport is not only about winning. The decision to reduce Topspin’s workload demonstrates the importance of considering the long-term welfare of an equine partner.
Conclusion
Alice Casburn has established herself as a prominent young British event rider through determination, international experience and an extraordinary partnership with Topspin. Her career includes Junior European competition, five-star eventing, European Championship medals, a prestigious FEI Rising Star Award and a British Under-25 national title.
The next stage of her career is likely to be shaped by new horses as Topspin moves into semi-retirement. His legacy, however, will remain closely connected with Alice’s development from a young Norfolk rider into an international competitor. As of September 2026, her career continues to progress, with her experience at the highest levels providing a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Alice Casburn?
She is a British professional event rider who represents Great Britain in international equestrian competition.
2. How old is Alice Casburn?
She is 24 years old as of September 2026, having been born in January 2002.
3. Where is Alice Casburn from?
She is based in Corpusty, Norfolk, England, near Norwich.
4. Who is Alice Casburn’s mother?
Her mother is Caroline Casburn, an experienced British equestrian who competed at Badminton and represented Great Britain at the 1994 World Equestrian Games.
5. What horse is Alice Casburn famous for riding?
She is best known for her long-standing partnership with the home-bred gelding Topspin.
6. When did Alice Casburn start riding Topspin?
She took over Topspin’s ride in 2018 when he was 10 years old.
7. What did Alice Casburn achieve at the 2022 European Championships?
She helped Great Britain win team gold and earned individual bronze with Topspin at the Young Rider European Championships.
8. What award did Alice Casburn win in 2022?
She received the Longines FEI Rising Star Award for her achievements as a young eventing athlete.
9. What did Alice Casburn achieve at Bramham in 2026?
She won the British Under-25 national title with Topspin and finished sixth overall in the CCI4*-S competition.
10. Is Alice Casburn still competing in 2026?
Yes. She remains an active international event rider, although Topspin has entered semi-retirement and she is also competing with other horses.
