Former Burghley champion to star in Defender Burghley Masterclass
Former Defender Burghley champion Vanir Kamira — whom Piggy March rode victory at the Lincolnshire CCI5* in 2022 for owner Trevor Dickens — will delight her fans in Burghley’s Main Arena again this year.
The mare, who is now 21 years old, will be one of the horses participating in the popular Carl Hester masterclass taking place in the Main Arena in the lunch break during the second day of dressage on Friday, 4 September.
Since retiring from eventing, Tilly, as she is known at home, has competed successful in dressage with Annabelle Wesley, 16, granddaughter of Trevor Dickens. The pair have been prolific winners, competing up to Prix St Georges level, and the mare is something of a celebrity at dressage shows, where riders seek her out for photographs.
Now Vanir Kamira and Annabelle will join Tom McEwen with his Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Toledo De Kerser and Irish Olympic dressage rider Abi Lyle in a masterclass with the dressage legend, and Defender Ambassador, Carl Hester at Burghley.
“There is something incredibly special about returning to Burghley Horse Trials with our horse of a lifetime, Tilly,” said Annabelle. “It’s a venue that holds so many magical memories for me and my family.
“Tilly is full of energy, still loving her work, happy, fit and well, so for me to be able to ride her in Carl Hester’s dressage masterclass is a real honour and dream come true.”
Her former eventing partner Piggy March added: “Winning Burghley with Vanir Kamira was an absolute high point of my career and a day I’ll never forget. Tilly always gave me her absolute best at the big events and it will be fantastic for her to return to Burghley, looking as gorgeous as ever and demonstrating her considerable dressage talent. I’m sure I won’t be the only Tilly fan who’ll be excited to see her in that Main Arena again.”
Even Director Martyn Johnson added: “With a formal retirement ceremony taking place on Sunday afternoon in the Main Arena for former double winner Ballaghmor Class, we’re very lucky to be welcoming another former Burghley champion in Vanir Kamira on Friday. Horses that win Burghley are so admired by the public; it will be fantastic to have Vanir Kamira again here, and to see how she’s continued expanding her dressage skills since retiring from eventing.”
For the full timetable and to plan your visit to Defender Burghley visit 2026 Timetable