Top Gear at Burghley: horsepower takes on an equestrian challenge
Top Gear took equine inspiration for their horsepower in the final episode of the series.
The grounds of Burghley House — home to Burghley Horse Trials — were host to a very different sort of competition to its autumn four-star.
Presenters Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid tested the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Range Rover Velar and Volvo XC60 in two eventing-themed tests.
There was no dressage phase — flying changes and half-passes may have proved tricky even with the expert handling and extra features of these new cars — but the trio compared the new SUVs in a trailer “showjumping” test and a cross-country race.
“Horse trials are the ultimate test of horse and rider — or in our case, car and driver,” said Matt.
Matt and Chris showed expert skill in hitching up the trailer — helped by the rear-view cameras in both vehicles — although ran into trouble later in the task.
But every rider, parent or helper who has ever hitched up a trailer could sympathise with Rory’s struggle.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The course involved several fences, a water jump, a seesaw and a rumble strip and reversing into a narrow pen. Naturally, this was chaos.
Horse trials… with carsCan Matt LeBlanc complete this horse trials course – in an Alfa Stelvio – with a horse box attached?Posted by Top Gear on Sunday, April 1, 2018
The cross-country featured a mad dash across the Lincolnshire parkland before a splash through the Lion Bridge complex and a race for the finish.
Some riders shared their delight at seeing their favourite Burghley landmarks on prime-time BBC TV.
Some, however, were less than impressed…
My Sunday night pleasure is a glass of red while watching Top Gear. It makes the two cost centres stay away and makes…Posted by Skint Dressage Daddy on Sunday, April 1, 2018
While the cars coped well with the high-speed challenge across tricky terrain, a horse would clearly still have the edge.
“The Alpha Romeo is a thoroughbred, the Volvo is clearly a work horse and the Velar is Rory’s show pony,” quipped Matt.
“If you want all the fun of owning a horse, with none of the hassle, buy an Alfa Romeo Stelvio.”
H&H says thanks for the tip, but think we’ll stick with the horses
Click here to watch the full episode
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.