View the 2026 Judges’ Award Winners
View map of all the 2026 entries.
About the Best Dressed Window Competition
This September, the world-famous Defender Burghley Horse Trials returns and we’re inviting Stamford’s retailers to help us welcome the event in style with the 2026 Best Dressed Window competition.
Run in partnership with Shop Stamford, this is your chance to get creative, attract footfall, and show visitors just how special Stamford is. Whether you’re a shop, café, salon, or hotel, we’d love for you to take part.
Why Get Involved?
Celebrate Stamford’s Spirit
Join forces with one of the country’s biggest sporting events to shine a spotlight on the town we all love.
Boost Your Visibility
Your display will be seen by thousands of visitors, local shoppers, and potentially feature in Burghley Horse Trials and Burghley House promotional activity as well as local and national media coverage - a great way to stand out.
Win Brilliant Prizes
Our panel of judges will award a £500 cash prize, event tickets, and a commemorative plaque to the winner - with more great prizes for runners-up.
NEW for 2026 there's a further prize for the best window as voted for by the general public.
A Shared Celebration
This is a real opportunity to showcase local pride and build connections between Burghley Horse Trials and Stamford businesses.
Whether you’re inspired by horses, heritage, countryside style or creative flair your window can reflect whatever Defender Burghley Horse Trials means to you.
Enter for free:
Entries close: midnight 10 August
Displays to be ready by: 17 August
Judging will take place: 19 August
Public vote open until: 28 August
Displays to remain in place until: 6 September
All entrants will have access to downloadable event images and assets that you are welcome to print and use in your display. Competition bunting, a window poster and social media assets will also be supplied.
Let’s work together to celebrate a great local tradition and make Stamford’s shopfronts shine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter?
Any business in Stamford with a public facing window is welcome to take part.
How do I enter?
It’s free to enter. Simply complete the entry form by 10 August. Your window display should be in place by 17 August and stay up until 6 September, the final day of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
What will the judges be looking for?
We’re looking for window displays that are fun, eye-catching, and celebrate the spirit of Burghley Horse Trials.
Judging will be based on:
Creativity
How well the theme is represented
Overall visual impact
Your display could focus on the sport itself, the shopping and picnicking, the event's rich history, a favourite rider, even your own take on a jump - anything goes, as long as it relates to the Horse Trials and is underpinned by respect for the horse and human competitors.
Are there any materials I can use?
Yes. A folder of downloadable resources including historic and recent photos, logos, and past programme covers will be available to access. You’re welcome to use and print any of them to support your display.
When will the judging take place?
Judging will take place during on the morning of Wednesday 19 August 2026.
Who’s on the judging panel?
We're excited to reveal our 2026 judging panel:
Alex Collins - lifestyle, fashion, countryside and equestrian content creator with over 1.6 million followers.
Andrea Hoskins - owner of The George of Stamford
John Davison - co-founder of the Notswolds, filmmaker and BAFTA award winner.
Laura Jekyll - co-founder of the Notswolds, artist and brand strategist.
What are the prizes?
Winning displays will be selected by a judging panel, with all winners receiving a presentation plaque plus:
- Overall Winner: £500 cash prize and two 4-day tickets to the Horse Trials
- Second Place: Two tickets to attend any day of the Horse Trials
- Third Place: Two tickets to attend any day of the Horse Trials
- Highly Commended: Two tickets to visit Burghley House
People's Favourite voted for online by the public: Two tickets to attend any day of the Horse Trials
How will the People's Favourite award work?
Once the judges’ winners have been announced, it’s over to the public to have their say. All competition entries will be included in a public vote, giving everyone the chance to choose their favourite window display.
Voting will be open until Friday 28 August, with the window receiving the most votes crowned the People’s Favourite. This award is separate from the judges’ awards, so a business can win both a judges’ prize and the People’s Favourite award.
Details of how to vote will be shared here website and social media channels when voting opens.
Will my window get any coverage?
We’ll be sharing Best Dressed Window updates, images and stories across the social channels of Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Burghley House, and Shop Stamford (a combined 380k social followers!) as well as feeding in to local and national media. It’s a fantastic way to raise awareness of your business and celebrate your part in one of Stamford’s biggest events.
I've got a question about the competition, who do I contact?
If you've got any questions please drop us an email on bestwindow@burghley.co.uk and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.