Countdown to Burghley
Plan your day out to this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials, the highlight of the autumn equestrian sporting and social season.
The world famous Lincolnshire CCI5* (3rd-6th September) is the pinnacle of global eventing action, featuring the very best – and most celebrated – horses and riders in the world, and much more.
Burghley’s superb shopping, excellent hospitality, delicious food and drink, special atmosphere and range of great family entertainment makes it the perfect day out.
Can Britain’s golden girl Ros Canter win Burghley for a third consecutive time? The Lincolnshire mother of two daughters, a former world champion and Olympic team gold medallist, who is based near Louth, pulled off a record third Badminton triumph this spring, and all eyes will be on Ros at her local event this September.
Ros will, however, face serious opposition in her quest from reigning European champion Laura Collett, three-times Burghley winner Oliver Townend, New Zealand heroes Tim and Jonelle Price and Harry Meade, who will be pushing hard to move himself a step up the Burghley podium for the first time.
Retail therapy
This year, Defender Burghley has a fresh look, with a new shopping avenue and exclusive picnic parking next to the Boodles Anniversary Splash cross-country fence with stunning views of Burghley House and the Capability Brown-designed parkland.
Why not elevate your Burghley Horse Trials experience by booking a Lakeside Chalet and entertaining friends, family and guests in style?
Plenty of people come to Defender Burghley with the aim of indulging themselves in the shopping area and doing all their Christmas shopping well in advance!
From famous retailers such as Hermès, Holland Cooper, Fairfax & Favour, Boodles, LeMieux and Guinea, to a wide variety of independent boutiques, jewellers, clothing and footwear companies, not to mention furniture, home décor, art, equestrian brands and much more, the shopping is simply out of this world.
And when you need to take a break, you can visit The Food Walk which is crammed with delicious goodies too!
Marvellous masterclasses
Burghley’s Main Arena Masterclasses are always one of the most popular elements of the event, taking place in the dressage lunch break and after the conclusion of sport in the afternoon on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September.
This year Burghley is delighted to welcome newly crowned champion National Hunt trainer Dan Skelton and his former champion jockey brother Harry – sons of British Olympic showjumping gold medallist Nick Skelton – to demonstrate their training methods and deliver insights into their super-successful training programme on 3rd September at lunchtime.
Hosted by racing broadcasters Nick Luck and Alice Fox-Pitt, the Skelton Masterclass is sure to be fascinating – and highly entertaining!
After the completion of CCI5* dressage on Thursday, Australia’s former World Championships silver medallist and leading course-designer Clayton Fredericks will lead a Masterclass dedicated to the intricacies of cross-country course-design. Clayton will be joined by another popular course-designer and Olympic rider, Andrew Heffernan – the pair are Burghley’s course-designer Derek di Grazia’s assistants for 2026, and their insights will be fascinating.
Olympian Carl Hester, king of British dressage, is always a massive hit with the crowd at Defender Burghley, and his 2026 Masterclass will take place during the dressage lunchbreak on 4th September.
The Masterclass programme will conclude with The Howden Way Young Horse Academy demonstration, which will be led by BHS Fellow and CCI5* event rider Kylie Roddy.
Showcasing some of the sport’s most exciting young horse combinations, the session will feature talented six-, seven- and eight-year-olds and provide invaluable training tips on producing top young event horses through the levels.
Don’t miss the Defender Experience near the Lake – and for the smaller visitors, the Mini Defenders are just the best fun!
For tickets, hospitality packages, camping and all information about the event, visit the website www.burghley-horse.co.uk
Photographs: DBHT/Peter Nixon/Libby Law/Sarah Farnsworth
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Today’s the day for the Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure Autumn Fireworks Display. This is your last chance to buy tickets, so don’t delay! springfieldsoutlet.co.uk/events/fireworks2026/