Burghley Horse Trials 2026 including all the news as it happens

Burghley Horse Trials 2026

The 2026 running of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials promises five-star eventing action of the highest level. Burghley’s box office opens on 22 April for membership and caravan membership purchase, while general admission tickets will be available from 23 April.

Among the exciting news that’s been released is the brilliant Ballaghmor Class will have an official retirement ceremony at the event, so that’s sure to be a highly emotional moment to look forward to.

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The autumn five-star is directed by Martyn Johnson, and the course-designer is Derek di Grazia.

Burghley Horse Trials dates

How much prize money will the Burghley winner receive?

Does Burghley help any charities?

Where is Burghley Horse Trials held?

Burghley Horse Trials history

The first Burghley event was held in 1961 and the horse trials had never been cancelled or abandoned until Covid-19 took out the 2020 and 2021 renewals.

Anneli Drummond-Hay was the event’s first winner, riding Merely-A-Monarch, who also became the first horse to win both Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley when he took the Gloucestershire event the following spring.

Andrew Nicholson’s ride Avebury, who won the event in 2012, 2013 and 2014, is the only horse who has won Burghley three times. The only other horse to be listed among the Burghley Horse Trials winners more than once is Ginny Elliot’s ride Priceless, who won in 1983 and 1985, when he was also crowned European champion.

Burghley has also hosted the European Championships on five other occasions, the most famous of these being in 1971 when Princess Anne took the title on Doublet.