Walk the 2016 Burghley Horse Trials showjumping course
With the final day of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials upon us (4 September), we find out what horses and riders face in the showjumping phase.
You can follow all of the showjumping live with Horse & Hound’s up-to-the-minute online commentary service.
Here, you can take a “walk” around the track for a glimpse of the fences.
Fence 1
This fence is approached on the left rein going back towards the collecting ring. It isn’t too close to the crowd so it should help horses and riders get into the swing of things.
Fence 2
This fence is approached following a left handed turn away from the collecting ring.
Fence 3
This light and airy oxer is on a six stride distance from fence two.
Fence 4a
The first part of this double is approached after a right-handed turn and is going uphill slightly.
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Fence 4b
The second part of the double is on a one stride distance.
Fence 5
This oxer over a water tray shouldn’t be too spooky for these event horses, but you never know! It is on a six stride distance from the double at fence four.
Fence 6
This green upright is on a short eight stride distance from fence six.
Fence 7
This triple bar is approached on a left-handed bend and is going away from the collecting ring.
Fence 8a
The first part of the treble is on an eight stride distance, slightly downhill from the triple bar at fence seven.
Fence 8b
The second part of the treble is an upright on a one stride distance from the A element, which is an oxer.
Fence 8c
There is a short two stride distance to the final part of the treble at 8c which is another oxer.
Fence 9
This airy oxer is on a right hand curve
Fence 10
This poley upright is approached off a 180 degree turn from fence nine. Riders might need to cut inside the double at fence four to achieve the time — this fence could be influential.
Fence 11
This square oxer is approached after a left-handed turn
Fence 12
This airy gate is on a five stride distance from fence 11.
Fence 13
The final fence is approached a left handed curve.
Full 17-page report of Burghley in H&H next week (dated 8 September), including expert comment from ground jury president Sue Baxter and cross-country course-designer Mark Phillips, as well as thrills and spills photos and full analysis of every phase.
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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.