Olympic team gold medallist Ros Canter scored a five-star personal-best dressage score with Izilot DHI on the opening day of dressage at Defender Burghley Horse Trials. As second between the white boards, following Harry Meade and Superstition, Ros and her 2023 Pau Horse Trials winner scored 19.9 to take an early lead. “He’s the most elastic horse I’ve ever ridden,” said Ros. “You only have to clench your tummy muscles and tighten your backside and he’s got the ability of a dressage horse. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Yesterday’s Burghley trot-up was worthy of a Paris catwalk, with touches of paisley, leopard print and a beautiful purple beret. Harry Meade chose his usual bright colours; an electric-blue suit, Tom McEwen was named best-dressed male rider in a tweed waistcoat and cap, and Badminton winner Caroline Powell was fabulous in leopard print. Burghley debutante Bella Innes Ker won the ladies’ best-dressed award in khaki and British-based French rider Gaspard Maksud, who is also making his Burghley debut, sported a purple beret, blazer, bow tie and shoes.
If you’re hoping to move house – and have nearly £4m to spend – you might want to have a look at the base of eventing legend turned racing trainer Mark Todd. The specialist equestrian training establishment is on the northern slopes of the Wessex Downs, near Lambourn, and includes 38 stables, a 30x60m school, gallops and a cross-country course, as well as a main house and a self-contained annexe, all within 135 acres.
To stay up todate with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
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
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
