Event Preview: Horse Trials at Burghley, Arriving from the City of Love (Paris)
The picturesque town of Lincolnshire is set to host the Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2021, one of the world's highest-rated equestrian events. This prestigious competition, established in 1961, is the second oldest among the seven five-star events in the world, with Badminton in the UK being the first.
The eventing competition, known for its three phases of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping, demands a unique bond of trust between human and horse. This year's event promises to be an exciting spectacle, with a star-studded line-up of riders and their steeds.
Among the notable participants is Kate Green, an author and equestrian reporter who has covered four Olympic Games. After spending years in various work settings, including the Olympics, Kate has returned to her birthplace, west Somerset, to be near Exmoor, her favourite place. She will undoubtedly bring her keen insights and passion for the sport to the Burghley Trials.
The start list at Burghley will be shorter than in previous decades, but the quality of competition remains high. One of the riders to watch is Austin O'Connor, a class Irish horseman, who will be competing with the grey Colorado Blue. Another contender is Tim Price, a Dorset-based New Zealander, and his wife, Jonelle, who will have four horses between them at Burghley. Tim's horse, Xavier Faer, is the reigning Burghley champion, and his wife's ride, Faerie Dianimo, was the winner in 2019.
Team GB's gold medal-winning eventing team in the Olympics included two horses that were previous Badminton winners: London 52, ridden by Laura Collett, and Lordships Graffalo with Ros Canter. Canter's horse, Lordships Graffalo, also known as Walter, is the reigning European champion, and the pair will be aiming to repeat their success at Burghley.
The Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2021 will see riders from 10 nations competing, including New Zealand and the United States. Tim Price from New Zealand and Cassie Sanger from the USA are among the riders representing their countries.
While the Olympics have been a work setting for many equestrian athletes, the International Olympic Committee has been targeting equestrian disciplines for potential removal from the games. Despite this, the passion for the sport remains unwavering, and events like Burghley continue to draw a dedicated following.
In addition to the equestrian action, the latest Light & Land exhibition will showcase some of the world's most famous landscape photographers, including Charlie Waite, Bill Ward, Astrid McGechan, Ed Rumble, and Charlotte Bellamy.
As the Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2021 approaches, fans of the sport are eagerly anticipating the exciting competition and the unique bond between human and horse that eventing showcases.
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