A touching tribute to a Burghley star has been unveiled at the event.
A beautiful rocking horse of the late popular eventer Bluestone Luke, who had competed at the CCI4* five times with owner Kerry Varley, is on display at the Stevenson Brothers’ stand.
The rocking horse is sporting a specially-made Willberry Wonder Pony saddlecloth and is being “ridden” by Whoaberry.
The charity was founded by Hannah Francis, who died from cancer in August 2016, and grants horsey wishes for young people with serious illnesses and also funds research into bone cancer.
Well it's Burghley week and my favourite week of the year or was. Lukey ran under the number 007 in 2016 and none of us…Posted by Bluestone Luke on Tuesday, August 29, 2017
“My dream was always for [my daughter] Poppy to grow up with Lukey as her best friend like he was mine,” Kerry wrote on Facebook, adding she had also dreamed of riding him down the aisle.
“But again this was not to be [as] just six weeks before Pops was born, he passed away suddenly one night in his field leaving a huge hole in all of our hearts and lives.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
She added unveiling of his rocking horse at the horse trials means her dream of Poppy being able to ride him “will come true”.
“So many people have made this tribute possible and the biggest thanks has to go to my mum,” said Kerry.
“We are also raising money for Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony charity as Lukey had his own berry pony ‘Whoaberry’.
“I’ve been granted my wish by the people around me so let’s help a seriously sick person get theirs.”
Lukey is loaded and on his way !! I hope he doesn't get as excited going through town in wooden form as he used to get…Posted by Bluestone Luke on Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Kerry, who is based minutes from Burghley in nearby Ryhall, contested seven four-stars with the 15.2hh gelding and had been aiming for this year’s event.
Kerry paid tribute to “Lukey” in after his death aged 16 in May.
“Anyone could ride him — he was like a big dog — he never put his ears back and just wanted cuddles,” she said. “He will be missed by so many people — nobody who met him didn’t like him. But we’ve got lots of pictures and memories of him and he won’t be forgotten.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
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
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.
