So sit down, grab a drink and check out this selection of our favourite outfits from the first horse inspection…
Harry Meade sported lilac trousers to trot up his three rides. He is pictured with David Bernstein, Sophie Caruth and Nigella Hall’s Tenareze.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Wills Oakden gave a nod to his Scottish heritage, pairing tartan trousers and a bow tie to present his two horses, Liz Magennis and Debbie Whalley’s Oughterard Cooley (pictured) and Kathleen Wilkinson and Rachel Wood’s Arklow Puissance.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Alex Bragg cut a dash in a pink jacket as he came forward with The Roe Family’s Quindiva.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Burghley first-timer Greta Mason was the only competitor to wear a hat at this year’s first horse inspection. She rides Geoff Mason and Sarah Winfrey’s Cooley For Sure.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Nicky Hill’s outfit was all about the back view as she presented her own MGH Bingo Boy.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
New European champion Ros Canter went for a floaty dress as she trotted up Annie Makin and Kate James’ Pencos Crown Jewel.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Lauren Innes sported orange shorts to bring forward Global Fision M, owned by Innes Family Syndicate.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Alice Casburn was another to choose a dress, paired with trainers. She rides her mother Caroline’s Topspin.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Kristina Hall-Jackson picked out a co-ordinated shorts suit to get her competition underway with CMS Google, owned by her rider and KHJ Eventing.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The USA’s Jennie Saville gets some airtime in stylish black boots as she makes her Burghley debut with Nina and Tim Gardner’s FE Lifestyle.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Holly Richardson co-ordinated her waistcoat and boots as she brought forward Bally Louis, owned by Sarah Wingfield.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Pippa Funnell won the Fairfax & Favor prize for the best-dressed female rider and shared that she bought her shirt in a 70% off sale in a shop next to Sainsbury’s – what a bargain! The double Burghley winner rides her own and Marek Sebestak’s Majas Hope.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Tom Bird, the youngest rider here, made a splash with a blue velvet jacket and bow tie as he brought forward his own and his uncle David Kerry’s Rebel Rhyme.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Julia Norman wore a short jacket to run up her own Ardeo Berlin.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Shropshire-based French rider Arthur Duffort sported a blue suit to present his own and Paul and Julie Gatien’s Toronto D’Aurois.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Sophie Fouracre wears a green jacket to show off her mother Kay Jenman’s Lordana VH Leysehof Z.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Burghley Horse Trials trot-up photos by Peter Nixon.
Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the Burghley action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
