The entry list for Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025 has been revealed, showcasing an exceptional field of 59 combinations from eight nations, all set to compete from 4-7 September in the magnificent Burghley Park.
Defending Champions Return
Leading the charge are 2024 Burghley champions and Paris Olympics British team gold medallists Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo. The Lincolnshire pair made history last autumn with the best-ever finishing score of 26.6 in Burghley’s illustrious history. Their dominance continued into 2025 with their second MARS Badminton title in May, making them clear favourites for back-to-back Burghley victories.
International Stars Ready for Battle
New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali return as serious contenders, having finished runners-up in 2024 and fresh from an impressive victory at Aachen in July. This marks Price’s remarkable 20th Burghley start, with the 2018 winner determined to reclaim the top spot on the podium.
British Talent Seeks First CCI5* Victory
World number one Harry Meade remains hungrier than ever for his maiden CCI5* triumph. After achieving world number one status earlier this summer following outstanding results at Burghley 2024 (where he finished third, fourth and 12th on his three rides), plus strong performances at Kentucky and Badminton, Meade returns with three horses: Annaghmore Valoner, Cavalier Crystal, and Et Hop Du Matz.
Seven CCI5* Winners in the Field
The quality of this year’s entry is underscored by seven CCI5*-winning riders currently entered:
British contingent:
- Piggy March returns to Burghley for the first time since her 2022 success, this time with new ride MCS Maverick
- Ros Canter with Lordships Graffalo
- Laura Collett (Ros’s Paris Olympics team-mate) with Bling
International stars:
- Tim Price (NZL) with Vitali
- Caroline Powell (NZL) with High Time V (2011 Burghley winner, 2024 Badminton victor)
- Austin O’Connor (IRE) with Colorado Blue (2023 Maryland CCI5* winner)
- Felix Vogg (SUI) with Cartania
Exciting Burghley Debuts
Fourteen riders will make their Burghley debuts, including newly crowned British Open Champions Katie Magee and Treworra. The pair finished 11th at Badminton this year and will hope to continue their excellent form.
Christoph Wahler becomes the first German to compete at Burghley since multiple Olympic gold medal winner Michael Jung in 2018. He’ll ride D’Accord FRH, on whom he finished seventh at Badminton this year, having been part of Germany’s gold medal-winning team at the 2022 World Championships.
Lucy Latta (IRE), a talented amateur rider, brings her Badminton 2024 runner-up RCA Patron Saint to Lincolnshire for her first Burghley appearance.
Young British Talent on the Rise
The next generation of British eventing is well represented, with Emily King (Valmy Biats) and Bubby Upton (Magic Roundabout IV) among those vying for podium places.
Record-Breaking Quality Field
According to Irish statistics company EquiRatings, this represents the second-highest rated field in the past decade, highlighting the exceptional standard of competition expected.
Event Director Martyn Johnson commented: “I’m delighted that once again we have great entries for Defender Burghley. While there are some clear favourites, I think it is an open field featuring some superb cross-country horses, and I’m looking forward to seeing them in the spectacular setting of Burghley Park in three weeks’ time.”
Key Dates and Information
- Entry closure: Friday, 15 August 2025
- Draw: Early next week
- Competition dates: Thursday, 4 September to Sunday, 7 September 2025
- Venue: Burghley Park, Stamford, Lincolnshire
The complete entry list is available at burghley-horse, with tickets and hospitality packages available at Burghley Horse.
A full preview of this year’s cross-country track will feature shortly on Burghley TV, which will broadcast every moment of the action from Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025.
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