The Defender Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three-day event held at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, currently in early September. Defender Burghley Horse Trials is classified by the FEI as one of the seven leading three-day events in the world (the others being the Badminton Horse Trials, the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Australian International Three Day Event, the Luhmühlen Horse Trials, the Maryland 5* and the Étoiles de Pau). It has competition at CCI5*-L (five star) level. The prize for first place is currently £110,000. Prize money is given down to 20th place.

A competitor in the 2004 Horse Trials

Burghley is also one of the three events in the Grand Slam of Eventing.

Run in conjunction with the event since 1990 is the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse final, which judges four- and five-year-old horses on their potential as future Olympic mounts.

History

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William Fox-Pitt, here clearing the Cottesmore Leap on Idalgo in 2006, has the most wins at Burghley with six.

Horse trials have been held at Burghley House since 1961 when its owner the 6th Marquess of Exeter, an Olympic gold medalist in athletics and IOC member, heard that a three-day event at Harewood House could no longer be held due to suspected foot and mouth disease. Since then no other international horse trials site has staged as many championships, a record ten in all including the first World Championship in 1966.[1]

It is the longest continuous running international event. Up to 2023 there have been seven course designers: Bill Thomson, M.R.C.V.S. 1961 – 1983, Lt-Col. Henry Nicoll, D.S.O., O.B.E., 1975, Philip Herbert 1984 – 1988, Captain Mark Phillips, C.V.O., 1989 – 1996 and 1998 – 2000, Mike Tucker 1997 and 2001, Wolfgang Feld 2002 – 2004, Capt. Mark Phillips, C.V.O., 2005 – 2019 and Derek di Grazia, 2022–present.

Winners

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2009 winner Oliver Townend on Carousel Quest
 
2010 winner Caroline Powell on Lenamore
Year Rider Horse
1961 Anneli Drummond-Hay (GBR) Merely-A-Monarch
1962 James Templer (GBR) M'Lord Connolly
1963 Harry Freeman-Jackson (IRL) St. Finbarr
1964 Richard Meade (GBR) Barberry
1965 J.J. Beale (GBR) Victoria Bridge
1966 Carlos Moratorio (ARG) Chalan
1967 Lorna Sutherland (GBR) Popadom
1968 Sheila Willcox (GBR) Fair and Square
1969 Gillian Watson (GBR) Shaitan
1970 Judy Bradwell (GBR) Don Camillo
1971 H.R.H. Princess Anne (GBR) Doublet
1972 Janet Hodgson (GBR) Larkspur
1973 Mark Phillips (GBR) Maid Marion
1974 Bruce Davidson (USA) Irish Cap
1975 Aly Pattinson (GBR) Carawich
1976 Jane Holderness-Roddam (GBR) Warrior
1977 Lucinda Prior-Palmer (GBR) George
1978 Lorna Clarke (GBR) Greco
1979 Andrew Hoy (AUS) Davey
1980 Richard Walker (GBR) John of Gaunt
1981 Lucinda Prior-Palmer (GBR) Beagle Bay
1982 Richard Walker (GBR) Ryan's Cross
1983 Virginia Holgate (GBR) Priceless
1984 Virginia Holgate (GBR) Night Cap II
1985 Virginia Holgate (GBR) Priceless
1986 Virginia Leng (GBR) Murphy Himself
1987 Mark Todd (NZL) Wilton Fair
1988 Jane Thelwall (GBR) King's Jester
1989 Virginia Leng (GBR) Master Craftsman
1990 Mark Todd (NZL) Face the Music
1991 Mark Todd (NZL) Welton Greylag
1992 Charlotte Hollingsworth (GBR) The Cool Customer
1993 Stephen Bradley (USA) Sassy Reason
1994 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Chaka
1995 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Buckley Province
1996 Mary King (GBR) Star Appeal
1997 Mark Todd (NZL) Broadcast News
1998 Blyth Tait (NZL) Chesterfield
1999 Mark Todd (NZL) Diamond Hall Red
2000 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Mr. Smiffy
2001 Blyth Tait (NZL) Ready Teddy
2002 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Highland Lad
2003 Pippa Funnell (GBR) [a] Primmore's Pride
2004 Andrew Hoy (AUS) Moon Fleet
2005 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Ballincoola
2006 Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) Headley Britannia
2007 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Parkmore Ed
2008 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Tamarillo
2009 Oliver Townend (GBR) Carousel Quest
2010 Caroline Powell (NZL) Lenamore
2011 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Parklane Hawk
2012 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Avebury
2013 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Avebury
2014 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Avebury
2015 Michael Jung (GER) [b] La Biosthetique-Sam FBW
2016 Chris Burton (AUS) Nobilis 18
2017 Oliver Townend (GBR) Ballaghmor Class
2018 Tim Price (NZL) Ringwood Sky Boy
2019 Pippa Funnell (GBR) MGH Grafton Street
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic; replaced by Bicton Arena International 5*
2022 Piggy March (GBR) Vanir Kamira
2023 Oliver Townend (GBR) Ballaghmor Class
2024 Ros Canter (GBR) Lordships Graffalo

Casualties and incidents

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  • 1988: Mark Davies (GBR) was killed when he fell at fence 26 during cross country at Burghley.[2]
  • 1990: Ian Stark (GBR) was disqualified for excessive pressing of his exhausted horse, Alfresco during the event.[3]
  • 1999: Simon Long (GBR) was killed when his horse Springleaze Macaroo flipped over a fence and crushed him during the cross country event.[4]
  • 2004: Caroline Pratt (GBR) was killed during a rotational fall from her mount Primitive Streak on cross country.[5]
  • 2009: Harry Meade (GBR) was disqualified and handed a red card for riding an exhausted horse. His mount, Dunauger No. 14 fell at fence 19.[6]
  • 2009: Paul Donovan (IRL) received a FEI yellow warning card for failing to stop after incurring 3 refusals on Sportsfield Sandyman.[7] The citation was given for "Dangerous riding - Continuing after three clear refusals, a fall, or any form of elimination (Eventing Rules Art. 525)" during the CCI4* event.[8]
  • 2009: A runaway tractor rolled down a hill into a car parking area causing thousands of pounds in damage and "panicking spectators".[9]
  • 2010: Nicola Malcom (GBR) was airlifted to hospital after she and her horse McFly fell at a fence during the cross country competition.[10]
  • 2011: Michael Pollard (USA) received a Yellow Warning card for Abuse of Horse - Riding an exhausted Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 526) during the CCI4*.[8]
  • 2012: Heartbreak Hill ridden by Paul Hart (SA) was euthanized on the cross country course after breaking his leg while competing.[11]
  • 2012: Sam Watson (IRL) received a Yellow Warning card for Abuse of Horse - Excessive pressing of a tired Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 526), Dangerous riding - Too fast or too slow (Eventing Rules Art. 525) during the CCI4*.[8]
  • 2013: Clifton Promise, ridden by Jonathan Paget (NZL) was found to have reserpine, a banned substance in his system while competing. Clifton Promise was disqualified.[12]
  • 2013: Clifton Pinot, ridden by Kevin McNab (AUS) was found to have reserpine, a banned substance in his system while competing. Clifton Pinot was disqualified from the competition.[13]
  • 2014: Orto, ridden by Sara Squires (UK) was euthanized after experiening a fatal injury from hitting a fence during cross country.[14]
  • 2014: Three riders were hospitalized after falls on cross country, Natalie Blundell (AUS), Gina Ruck (GBR) and Neil Spratt (NZL).[15]
  • 2014: Megan Heath (NZL) received a Yellow Warning card for Abuse of Horse - Excessive use of whip, bit and/or spurs (Eventing Rules Art. 526) during the CCI4* event.[8]
  • 2016: Paul Tapner (AUS) was hospitalized after a fall from Up In th Air during the cross-country portion of the event.[16]
  • 2019: David Britnell (GBR) received an Eventing Recorded Warning for Dangerous riding - Series of dangerous jumps (Eventing Rules Art. 525) at the CCI5* event.[8]
  • 2022: HD Bronze and Harry Mutch (GBR) fell at Cottesmore Leap, during the cross-country portion of the event.[17]
  • 2022: Rosie Thomas (GBR) received several Recorded Warnings from the FEI for their conduct while riding Balladeer Humbel Guy. They were warned for Dangerous riding - Pressing a tired Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 525), Dangerous riding - Series of dangerous jumps (Eventing Rules Art. 525), Dangerous riding - Severe lack of responsiveness from the Horse or the Athlete (Eventing Rules Art. 525) during the CCI5* event.[8]
  • 2023: Julia Norman (GBR) was cited with a Eventing Recorded Warning by the FEI for "Abuse of Horse - Minor case of blood on the Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 526.1)" during the CCI5* at Burghley.[8]
  • 2024: Will Rawlin (GBR) was cited with a Eventing Recorded Warning by the FEI for "Abuse of Horse - Excessive pressing of a tired Horse (Eventing Rules Art. 526): during the CCI5* at Burghley.[18]

Notes

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  1. ^ Won as the final leg on the way to winning the Eventing Grand Slam
  2. ^ Won as the first leg on the way to winning the Eventing Grand Slam

References

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  1. ^ "Burghley Horse Trials Guide | Humes Outfitters". 31 October 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Central News East: 12.09.1988: Horse Trials Death". MACE Archive. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Central News East: 09.09.1990: Burghley Horse Trials". MACE Archive. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Fourth rider this year dies at horse trials". The Independent. 4 September 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  5. ^ Seenan, Gerard; Newsum, Gillian (6 September 2004). "Rider's concerns before fatal fall". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  6. ^ Ryder, Erin (8 September 2009). "Rider Disqualification Handed Down at Burghley Event". The Horse. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Townend Does the Double at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials". FEI. 5 September 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Warning cards - Discipline = Eventing". FEI. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Runaway tractor panics spectators". 6 September 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  10. ^ "CAROLINE POWELL POISED TO TAKE ON KIWI'S BURGHLEY MANTLE". FEI. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  11. ^ "KZN Breeders : Heartbreak For South African Eventing Champion". kznbreeders.co.za. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  12. ^ "PARTIAL DECISION of the FEI TRIBUNAL Positive Anti-Doping Case No.: 2013/BS07" (PDF). FEI.org. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  13. ^ "DECISION of the FEI TRIBUNAL Positive Anti-Doping Case No.: 2013/BS06" (PDF). FEI.org. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Orto Euthanized At Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials - The Chronicle of the Horse". Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Avebury Is the Star of Burghley Again". USEA : United States Eventing Association Inc. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  16. ^ "FEI Classics™: Burton rules supreme at Burghley". FEI. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Mutch eager for Burghley return after woes of last year". Yahoo Sports. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  18. ^ "FEI Database - Warning Cards - Discipline = eventing". data.fei.org. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
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