2024 Defender Burghley winners Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by DBHT/Peter Nixon.
One of the most anticipated weekends in the global eventing calendar will be here before you know it! Entries have opened for both the CCI5* and Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals at the 2025 Defender Burghley Horse Trials, set to take place September 4–7 in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
This year, Ground Jury President Andrew Bennie (NZL) will be joined by Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Valerie Pride (USA) to preside over the CCI5*. Entries close August 12 and will be published on August 13, with the draw to follow on August 19.
Organizers are expecting a strong international showing in the 5*, with former British winners expected to return and top talent from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States joining the mix. Adding a fresh twist to this year’s challenge, course designer Derek di Grazia will reverse the direction of the cross country track — a move not made since 2017 — while introducing new fences to keep riders and spectators on their toes.
Also now open for entries are the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals, the UK’s most prestigious showcase for four- and five-year-olds with the potential to become future five-star and Olympic champions. Judging will be handled by an elite panel including Harry Payne and Judy Bradwell (dressage), Bettina Hoy and Ian Stark (jumping), Fred Barralet (suitability and type), and six-time Burghley champion William Fox-Pitt (potential to gallop).
This year’s event (and really, any year at Burghley includes a jam-packed schedule of activities and entertainment) will also bring a mix of education, entertainment, and shopping. The Masterclass lineup includes British dressage legend Carl Hester, who will ride alongside Olympic medalist Tom McEwen and a guest international Grand Prix rider. Other highlights include sessions with Bettina Hoy and rising talent from The Howden Way Young Horse Academy. On Thursday, the British squad for the European Championships has been invited to take part in a special arena dressage practice. Returning this year is the hugely popular Insights Stage, which will feature interviews, demos, and expert discussions hosted by former Kiwi eventer Lucy Jackson.
Outside of the competition, Defender Burghley’s iconic shopping village will again offer an unbeatable range of wares from 500 curated retailers, covering everything from equestrian goods to artisan food, fashion, and early Christmas gifts. The 2025 supported charity is the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, a crucial service for equestrians and the wider rural community.
Once more, for those of you unable to attend in person, Burghley TV will host all live streaming and feature content. The subscription cost is increasing from £20 to £25 on August 1 (about $33 USD) and provides viewers with wall-to-wall coverage, feature interviews, course previews and much more — all led by an all-star team of broadcast personnel. Click here to secure your subscription to Burghley TV.
Key Dates:
Entries close: August 12
Entry list revealed: August 13
Draw: August 19
Learn more and get your tickets here.
