The Princess Royal is due to visit Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Sunday, 5 September, taking part in the event in her roles as President of World Horse Welfare and President of the British Eventing Support Trust. World Horse Welfare is the supported charity for the 2026 Lincolnshire CCI5* event.
Royal Prize-Giving At Burghley
The Princess Royal, who won the European Championships at Burghley in 1971, will present the prizes to the winners of Burghley 2026 following the concluding showjumping phase. Her involvement will form part of a Sunday programme celebrating world-class equestrian sport.
Crowds gathered around Burghley's Main Arena will also have the opportunity to welcome Britain's gold medal-winning squad from the recent FEI World Eventing Championships in Aachen, Germany. Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Gemma Stevens will take part in a parade in Defender vehicles, alongside individual rider Caroline Harris, before the CCI5* prizes are presented.
Tribute To Ballaghmor Class
Sunday will also see Burghley pay tribute to Ballaghmor Class, one of the leading event horses of recent times. The dual Burghley champion will make his final appearance around the Main Arena under Oliver Townend before officially retiring from eventing at the age of 19.
Ballaghmor Class and Oliver Townend won Defender Burghley in 2017 and 2023. The partnership also helped Britain win Olympic team gold in Tokyo five years ago. The grey gelding is owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan.
A Special Day For British Equestrian Sport
Burghley's Event Director, Martyn Johnson, said the event was honoured to welcome the Princess Royal again. He noted that her previous success at Burghley and her own achievement as a British gold medallist made her involvement particularly appropriate for a day celebrating British equestrian sporting achievement.
The Main Arena programme will feature more than the CCI5* prize-giving. Sunday attractions will also include the Defender Shetland Pony Grand National, the British Army Tidworth Band and a parade by the Fitzwilliam (Milton) hounds.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2026
Defender Burghley Horse Trials will take place from 3 to 6 September 2026. The event will bring together the concluding stages of the competition with a programme of attractions for those attending at Burghley.
The Princess Royal's visit, the presentation of the CCI5* prizes and the retirement tribute to Ballaghmor Class will form important parts of Sunday's programme.
Do write and share your reflections upon this special day in British equestrian sport…
0 Comments