Burghley Horse Trials shopping guide

There are over 200 tradestands at Burghley Horse Trials so whether you are Christmas shopping or buying for your horse, devise a masterplan with the help of H&H…

The best day to shop is Thursday, when it’s slightly quieter.

Burghley is well laid out so you’re unlikely to go round in circles and, as well as the long avenues of tradestands, there are specialist sections:

• The Burghley Lifestyle Pavilion — everything for your home

• The Country Living Pavilion — British designers and crafts

• The Horse Village — where you’ll find horsey innovations and experts

• The Rural Crafts Association (RCA) Pavilions

• The World of the Horse

What’s new?

Burghley is a great launch pad for new products.

Estribos, famous for its polo belts and dog collars, is introducing a range of Argentine polo hand-stitched browbands — £20 at the stand in the Country Living Marquee.

Badminton Horse Feeds have added Veteran Nuggets to their range for the older horse — pick up a bag for £10.40 in the Horse Village.

And Kingsland Equestrian is launching its autumn/winter clothing collection at the Ayr Equestrian, Holmestead Saddlery, Hope Valley Saddlery and M’Equest stands.

Meanwhile, Gabriella Shaw Ceramics has added to its striking equestrian range. Check them out in the RCA pavilion.

Spend and save

There are also plenty of bargains to be snapped up.

At the H&H stand (B33) you can save up to 35% on the normal price of a subscription and don’t miss the chance to win an Ifor Williams trailer worth over £4,000 and other prizes in the tombola.

Brinicombe Equine, in the World of the Horse, is offering a “three for two” promotion across the Think and Pro ranges. There is also free delivery on orders over £30 so you don’t have to worry about lugging your new purchases back to the car.

A beautiful gift idea is James Lock & Co’s pure Scottish cashmere scarf with fringe for a knock-down £55 (was £105).

Joules (stand B2) is a must-visit clothes stand and while you’re there you can win £1,000-worth of Joules vouchers, plus a holiday to the World Equestrian Games.

Visit the celebrity talk area

Keep your eye out for your favourite eventers — riders visiting the celebrity talk area (in the centre of the Exhibition Village just across the road from ring 2) include William Fox Pitt, Mary King, Daisy Berkeley, Paul Tapner, Clayton Fredericks, Oliver Townend, Sharon Hunt, Mark Todd, Harry Meade, Andrew Nicholson, Jeanette Brakewell, Rosie Thomas and Laura Collett.

Don’t miss the Burghley preview in this week’s H&H (26 August, ’10), including a coursewalk with European silver medallist and WEG eventing team member Piggy French