H&H blog: it's great to be back at Burghley

After a thoroughly depressing spring, with all the major events being cancelled due to the terrible weather and resulting ground conditions, I’m sure I am not the only person who is delighted to be finally getting their four-star fix, whether as a rider, spectator or member of the press.

When I arrived yesterday there was a real air of anticipation as the final preparations were being put in place by the Burghley “army”. It’s incredible how many people are involved with running an event of this size, from the council workers putting out the cones to keep the local roads clear, to the technical guys sorting out the phones and internet lines in the press office, to the hundreds of staff involved in setting up the tradestands ready for thousands of shoppers.

Speaking to the riders after their initial coursewalks, the general consensus is that the most intense part of the course is from the Discovery Valley through to the Land Rover Dairy Farm, but there is still plenty to jump and a long way to go before you pass through the finish. The ground is beautifully prepared and has taken the rain of yesterday and today, while the weather forecast suggests an improving picture.

Riders doing dressage tomorrow may be particularly grateful for this as many horses struggled to cope with the blustery conditions in the main arena today. I really felt for Georgie Spence, who had a horrible time with a particularly uncooperative Bow House Mandalin, and Kristi Nunnink, who forgot her extended canter, but carried on determinedly until she was finally stopped and had to retrace her steps.

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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.