The Skeltons to make their Burghley Debut

Burghley’s Main Arena Masterclass programme on Thursday, 3 and Friday, 4 September is always eagerly anticipated, and this new collaboration with the Skelton brothers, legends of the racing scene, is highly exciting. Their demonstration will take place during the CCI5* dressage lunchbreak on Thursday, 3 September. The pair plan to provide a unique insight into how Dan incorporates techniques and exercises from other equestrian disciplines into the training of top-class racehorses to enhance their performance and development. This highly anticipated session will conclude with a Q&A, allowing fans to delve deeper into the Skeltons' innovative approach.

Dan, who was crowned champion jumps trainer for the first time this year, said:

“Harry and I are really looking forward to delivering a masterclass at Burghley Horse Trials this year. It will be a great opportunity to take people behind the scenes and demonstrate how we use techniques from other disciplines to help develop our racehorses in training. We’re excited to share our approach and highlight the benefits it brings to our horses.”

Horses for the Dan and Harry Skelton masterclass will be provided by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme (TAP).

After the completion of CCI5* dressage on Thursday, Australia’s former World Championships silver medallist and leading course-designer Clayton Fredericks will lead a Masterclass dedicated to the intricacies of cross-country course-design. Clayton will be joined by another popular course-designer and Olympic rider, Andrew Heffernan – the pair are Burghley’s course-designer Derek di Grazia’s assistants for 2026, and their insights will be fascinating.

Carl Hester, the king of British dressage, is always a massive hit with the crowd at Defender Burghley, and his 2026 Masterclass will take place during the dressage lunchbreak on Friday, 4 September. Carl will work with a grand prix rider on their freestyle performance, and with a leading event rider on the CCI5* dressage test.

The Masterclass programme will conclude with The Howden Way Young Horse Academy demonstration, led by BHS Fellow and CCI5* event rider Kylie Roddy. Showcasing some of the sport’s most exciting young horse combinations, the session will feature talented six-, seven- and eight-year-olds and provide invaluable training tips on producing top young event horses through the levels. Visitors will gain an insight into the key stages of development, training methods and horsemanship required to nurture future stars of the sport.

This will make Friday, 4 September a true celebration of young horses; it is the day that Britain’s most significant young horse championship, the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals for the country’s best four- and five-year-olds, is held in the House Arena, and The Howden Way Young Horse Academy’s Masterclass will complement that.

Defender Burghley Horse Trials Director Martyn Johnson said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan and Harry Skelton to Burghley for the first time. The Skelton family is almost unparalleled in the range of its equestrian achievements and we think our visitors will be fascinated to watch Harry and Dan work together.

“We are determined to keep raising the standards of what we offer visitors, and this year's Masterclass line-up reflects that ambition. From the dressage precision of Carl Hester to the groundbreaking cross-discipline insights of the Skeltons, there is something to inspire every equestrian enthusiast.”

For the full timetable and to plan your visit to Defender Burghley visit 2026 Timetable