The 2024 Defender Burghley Horse Trials is finally here! The first trot-up is complete, the star quality field is ready, we’ve covered the sporting news from the initial veterinary inspection – and now we’re mentally shopping for our favourite outfits.
Sharp suits and cream jackets were peppered throughout the 2024 field, which also featured on-trend co-ords and summery suits. Fresh greens, rich purples and electric blue hues brought a splash of colour to the runway, sorry, trot-up.
Want to take a look at some of the styles that caught the eye at the Burghley trot-up on Wednesday (4 September)? Take a peek at a snapshot of this year’s field below, captured by photographer Peter Nixon…
Burghley first-timer Bella Innes Ker (pictured, top), who rides the 12-year-old Highway this week for owners Benjamin Chan, Roxburghe Eventing and Milly Soames, won the Fairfax & Favour and Hiho Silver-sponsored award for the best-dressed female at the first trot-up. Bella, who turns 30 on cross-country day, opted for a stylish khaki co-ord.
Tom McEwen won the prize for the best-dressed male rider. Tom, fresh from securing his second Olympic team gold in Paris, rides Vicky Bates and David Myers’ 14-year-old mare CHF Cooliser this week. He was dressed by Schöffel and Le Chameau, and wore a Schöffel Berwick waistcoat and tweed classic cap, both in Harwick tweed.
Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Harry Meade, who has three rides at this year’s Burghley, chose an electric blue suit.
Harry Meade, pictured with Superstition.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Gaspard Maksud makes his Burghley debut with two rides – his own Kan-Do 2, and Martin Thurlow and Jane Young’s Zaragoza. Gaspard, who has a collection of eye-catching berets, went for a plum theme this year, with matching tailored jacket, bow tie and shoes.
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Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
US competitor Mia Farley, who rides David O’Connor’s Phelps, wore a cream tuxedo wrap dress and matching hat, with a feather at the Burghley trot-up.
Mia Farley and Phelps.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Rose Nesbitt looked bang on trend with a fresh green suit from Me+Em. Rose rides her own and John Nesbitt’s EG Michealangelo at her first Burghley.
Rose Nesbitt with EG Michaelangelo.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
New Zealand’s Caroline Powell nailed the current leopard print trend with her belted coat, paired with a burgundy baker boy cap, as she trotted up her reigning Badminton champion Greenacres Special Cavalier. Caroline owns the 11-year-old mare with Chris and Michelle Mann.
Caroline Powell with Greenacres Special Cavalier.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Ros Canter served a classic look, with a beautiful tailored tweed blazer paired with a crisp white ruffled shirt from Hunt & Hall, navy jeans and long brown boots. She rides her Paris Olympic team gold medallist and 2023 Badminton winner Lordships Graffalo, owned by Archie and Michele Saul, and Pau five-star victor Izilot DHI, whom she owns with Alex Moody.
Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Will Rawlin looked smart in a three-piece Holland Cooper tweed suit as he presented his own and his parents Andrew and Miranda Rawlin’s Ballycoog Breaker Boy.
Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Sharp, dark suits were popular among the competitors, including Swiss contender Felix Vogg. Felix brings forwards the 13-year-old Cartania, whom he owns with Phoenix Eventing S.à.r.l., and with whom he has twice finished in the top 15 at Badminton.
Felix Vogg and Cartania.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
Francis Whittington went for a paisley twist on the dark suit to trot up Ro Audley, Amy, Andy and Belinda Drummond’s Purple Rain.
Francis Whittington and DHI Purple Rain.
(Image credit: Defender Burghley Horse Trials / Peter Nixon)
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
