Defender Burghley Horse Trials (3-6 September) is underway after the Fairfax & Favor-sponsored first horse inspection saw 48 horses presented to the Ground Jury of Xavier Le Sauce (FRA), Joanne Jarden (IRE) and Sandy Phillips (GBR) on Wednesday afternoon.
Spectators thronged Burghley’s Main Arena as United States challenger Caroline Pamukcu set the ball rolling by presenting her two rides, HSH Tolan King and Defender Kentucky 2026 runner-up HSH Blake.
Caroline’s horses were accepted, along with both rides of New Zealand’s former Burghley winner Tim Price, the current world number one, plus the British trio Holly Richardson, Tom Jackson and Harry Meade, whose hopes again include Cavalier Crystal following three successive third-place finishes at Burghley, and Ireland’s Susie Berry on Clever Trick and John The Bull.
A number of Burghley first-timers included Suffolk-based Mary Edmundson, making her debut at an event that her mother Debbie competed at 40 years ago, the 2022 world champion Yasmin Ingham aboard Goliath Du Loir, Jack Pinkney on Claragh Olala and Switzerland’s Robin Godel with Dealer De La Bride. All 48 horses presented passed the first horse inspection and will start the dressage phase on Thursday and Friday.
Winner of the Fairfax & Favor best dressed lady award was Jonelle Price (NZL), who wore a striking cream coat by ME+EM, while Clarke Johnstone (NZL) was best dressed man, clad in a Dior cashmere jacket and navy trousers.
Judge Andrew Ransford, of Hiho Silver, said: “It is about attention to detail. The way the riders present themselves for the first horse inspection these days is very professional. Clarke looked incredibly trendy, and he stood out. The ladies’ prize this time was a lot more difficult, but Jonelle looked unbelievable.”
Competition begins at 10am on Thursday with Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Tolan King taking centre-stage after Olympic gold medallist and two-times Burghley winner Ros Canter has completed the traditional “guinea pig” test aboard MHS Seventeen.
As one of only six CCI5* competitions around the globe, Defender Burghley always attracts the very top athletes, and ranks alongside Wimbledon and The Masters as a sporting “major”. The event offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and lots to entertain children and less-horsey members of the family. HRH The Princess Royal is visiting Burghley – where she won the European Eventing Championships in 1971 – on Sunday, 6 September to present the prizes after the final showjumping, and in her role as President of Burghley’s supported charity for 2026, World Horse Welfare, and as President of the British Eventing Support Trust.
Every minute of the action from Defender Burghley, from the first horse inspection to the final trophy lift, as well as the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals and the Main Arena Masterclasses, is broadcast on Burghley TV.
To purchase a Burghley TV subscription, and for a full timetable and to buy tickets, visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.
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