Burghley Horse Trials: what riders need to know *H&H VIP*

Get the lowdown on this fixture from Eventing magazine's horse trials guide — including what riders say about the event, plus vital statistics

Date: Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 September 2015

Event director: Elizabeth Inman

Contact: 01780 752131; anne@burghley-horse.co.uk; www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Location: Lincolnshire

Entries open: 1 July

Ballot date: 31 July at 12 noon

Link to Burghley entries: www.britisheventing.com/burghley

How to get there

Off the A1, 90 miles north of London. The event is well signposted.

What the organisers say

Land Rover Burghley is renowned for attracting top-class, international combinations, while also welcoming well-prepared newcomers. Set within Grade Two historic parkland, the dressage and showjumping phases, the latter designed by Richard Jeffery, take place in a grass arena.

The cross-country, designed by Mark Phillips, is demanding, as befits a true four-star track. This year’s course is completely new, with the Lion Bridge and Anniversary Splash coming early at fences four and five. Capability’s Cutting also comes early, with the Cottesmore Leap, Dairy Mound, Rolex, Maltings and the Trout Hatchery all reversed. The Leaf Pit and Arena fences come towards the end, testing judgement and providing a very different experience for the riders.

Footing continues to be a major priority, including that of the 700-metre grass gallop adjacent to the warm-up area. There is also a 60x42m all-weather practice area situated near the stables.

What the riders say

Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage warm-up is not enormous but it works given the good organisation for the event.” “If it’s not too wet, the ground in the main arena works well and rides well and it does hold up reasonably well to rain.” “Not much to say about the showjumping. It is a four-star track but never as strong I feel as Badminton or Luhmühlen, but it’s still enough of a test at the end of a difficult cross-country track.”

Cross-country — “The track was as ever beautifully presented — it always walks extremely big and you definitely need a horse with confidence and stamina, but it’s an event you always want to face the challenge of — and very satisfying to get around well.” “The now well-established ground management system means the ground is always excellent — well presented whatever the weather.” “Beautifully built and designed but clearly not for the faint-hearted. The ground was tiring in 2014 and the watering had perhaps been overdone. This is a difficult call to make because they are damned if they overdo and damned if they underdo. In my opinion, the twisty nature of the Dairy Mound was unfair on the horses at that stage in the course. The arena fence broke the rhythm early in the course, which was a shame.”

Percentage of cross-country clears 2014

CCI4*: 56%

Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two