Defender Burghley Horse Trials Announces World Horse Welfare as Its Charity of the Year

Burghley’s Event Director Martyn Johnson said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with such an important charity, which has achieved so much for horse welfare over the years. World Horse Welfare is the only horse charity dedicated to helping every single type of horse, including those in leisure and sport.”

World Horse Welfare works with people across equestrian sports to help shift perspectives and practices where needed, reduce risks and put the welfare of the horse at the centre of every action and every decision. As part of this work, the charity is an independent welfare adviser to the FEI, international equestrian sport’s governing body.

As Burghley’s charity of the year, World Horse Welfare will be able to raise funds, boost awareness of its work and further develop its supporter base through a range of on-site initiatives, including its own themed fence on the cross-country course.

Defender Burghley visitors will be able to add a voluntary donation to the World Horse Welfare as they buy tickets on the event website (www.burghley-horse.co.uk), and World Horse Welfare volunteers will man the “Shop and Drop” facility, where Burghley shoppers can store their purchases for a donation and pick them up at the end of the day.

Content creator and World Horse Welfare patron Esme Higgs will also be launching an exciting new initiative from the charity on Burghley’s Insights Stage ahead of their centenary celebrations next year.

Esme said: “World Horse Welfare has always been a charity close to my heart, but it wasn’t until I rehomed Duke that I truly experienced the transformative impact of their work. Through Duke, I have seen first-hand how their dedication changes horses’ lives for the better. He has brought immense joy to me, my family and my other horses and we are proud to honour World Horse Welfare’s promise of providing him with lifelong security. I am delighted that World Horse Welfare is celebrating its vital rescue and rehoming work as Charity of the Year at the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials and I hope the thousands of equestrians attending will visit the stand to discover whether they might find a new friend among the horses and ponies looking for a loving home.”

World Horse Welfare Chief Executive Roly Owers added: “As long-time partners of Defender Burghley Horse Trials, we are delighted to further cement this relationship through being its Charity of the Year for 2026.

“In the UK, the rescue and rehoming of horses in need is a vital aspect of our work, particularly at this time of the year, with a lack of forage such an issue, and when reports of welfare concerns are often at their highest. We aim to use this significant opportunity to highlight the value of rehoming from our charity and the valuable role World Horse Welfare companions play in being friends to horses and humans alike.

“When horse welfare is prioritised, equestrian sport such as eventing is such an extraordinary demonstration of the horse-human relationship and we look forward to seeing this in action during this year’s event.”

Defender Burghley is the established highlight of the summer social season. As well as top-class sport featuring both the most famous horses and riders in the world and up-and-coming stars, in the beautiful and historic setting of Burghley Park, the event offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and lots to entertain children and less-horsey members of the family.