Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2022 is underway!
Defender Burghley Horse Trials, one of the most popular sporting events in the UK, has officially started after all 52 horses passed the first horse inspection on Wednesday afternoon.
The grandstand was packed as the world’s top riders presented their Defender Burghley mounts to the ground jury in glorious sunlight. John Paul Sheffield was asked to re-present his horse, Kiltar OBOS, for a second inspection, but the bay 12-year-old was passed by the judges and vets.
The Hiho Silver-sponsored award for the best dressed riders at the first horse inspection was won by the Bedfordshire rider Andrew James and the USA’s Cornelia Dorr.
Dressage starts at 9.45am on Thursday (1 September), with the first of New Zealander Tim Price’s three rides, Bango. Prior to that, Harry Meade will perform the “guinea pig” test to ensure the the judges are aligned in their marking.
After the conclusion of dressage on Thursday, the five members of Britain’s squad for the forthcoming FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy (Oliver Townend, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen, Yasmin Ingham and Ros Canter) will practise their dressage tests in the Main Arena at 4pm.
Martyn Johnson, new director of Defender Burghley, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring Burghley back after the two years lost to the Covid pandemic. Burghley Park looks absolutely amazing, and we can’t wait for this beautiful place to be filled with spectators - there’s so much to see and do here this weekend. We have a top-class field of competitors, outstanding shopping opportunities, lots of entertaining demonstrations and fun things to do, such as the Defender Experience. Come and join us!”
All the action from Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2022 will be shown on Burghley TV - visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk to sign up to watch this innovative, presenter-led livestream with additional features and behind-the-scenes footage from the world’s foremost CCI5* event.
