Burghley Horse Trials Preview: Saddle Up for the Event

England has a long history of equestrian events. From shows to competitive events, every occasion brings about a whirlwind of experiences. While the horses and their riders remain in the centre of attention, virtually every other aspect serves as a cause for excitement and desire to visit the event again next year — lush countryside nature, a colourful crowd of spectators as interesting as the participants, innovative course designs are just a few things to mention. 

Officially known as Defender Burghley Horse Trials, this annual three-day event is held near the town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, England. Set against the picturesque backdrop of a 16th century Elizabethan mansion of Burghley House, during three days in early September the Trials host a competition in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, also known in the world of professional equestrian sports as eventing.  

But the Burghley Horse Trials are not just an average eventing. In fact, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) puts this event in the same category as Badminton Horse Trials (England), the Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), the Australian International Three Day Event (Australia), the Luhmühlen Horse Trials (Germany), the Maryland 5* (USA), and the Étoiles de Pau (France).

With the competition at CCI5*-L level (the highest rating in equestrian sports), Burghley Horse Trials are one of the three events that comprise the Grand Slam of Eventing. The other two events are Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky (United States) and

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire (England).

History of Burghley Horse Trials

Despite being held in a historical location, with the Burghley House mansion listed as Grade I, i.e. a building of exceptional interest, the Burghley Horse Trials are a comparatively modern competition. 

The event was first launched in 1961 by David George Brownlow Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter, a member of the Cecil family, who built and continue owning the Burghley House. Prior to this, a previously held three-day event at Harewood House (Harewood, West Yorkshire, England) had to be cancelled since there were suspicions of a foot and mouth disease in the area. 

The 6th Marquess of Exeter, commonly known as David Burghley, was well-known as an ardent athlete since his college years and a sports advocate. Representing England, he won a gold medal in the 400 m hurdles at the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympic Games. In 1933 he became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and later in 1936 he was elected as the Chairman of the British Olympic Association. 

Burghley Horse Trials remains the only international event of its kind that has held the record number of championships. Since its inauguration year, there have been a total of ten championships held, including the first World Championship that took place in 1966.

Burghley Horse Trials Trivia

Merely-A-Monarch, who was the first horse to win the Burghley Horse Trials in 1961, was also the first horse to win both this event and Badminton Horse Trials. 

The only horse to win the event three times is Avebury, who took the champion title in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Every other horse has won the event only once, except for Priceless who became champion in 1983 and 1985. 

Other winners throughout the existence of the competition are:

2024 Burghley Horse Trials Preview

The 2024 Burghley Horse Trials will be held from September 5 to September 8. The prize for the winner is £110,000. The previous prize used to be £100,000 until it was increased in 2022. Other monetary prizes are given up to the 20th place. 

This year the event will be held under the leadership of Martyn Johnson who was appointed as the director in 2021. The course will be designed by the American cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia who has been in charge of the Burghley Horse Trials since 2022. Over the years, the competition has employed seven designers.

The programme of the event runs as follows:

• Thursday, 5 September – dressage
• Friday, 6 September – dressage
• Saturday, 7 September – cross country
• Sunday, 8 September – jumping

As usual, the event attracts some of the best horses and riders in the world. After the qualifications, the following entries will be competing between 5 September and 8 September:

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