BHT DAY 4: A Trials steeped in history
It's the first time Stamford's welcomed the international competition since before COVID
Last updated 6th Sep 2022
It's the fourth and final day of the Burghley Horse Trials 2022, and what's been one of the most historic competitions on record.
With the return of the trials after three years, a larger grand prize pot than ever before, and a Tokyo Olympic Games course-designer responsible for the cross country layout - there's more than enough headlines to make this year's event one to remember.
But the Burghley Horse Trials have come a long way since the inaugural event back in 1961 - when there were just 19 riders watched by 12,000 fans.
William Cross has been involved with organising things for the past 40 years, he says the competition has changed exponentially since then:
'Obviously from when it started, you were sitting on straw bales and old land rovers, (there were) a few marquees, the loos were primitive and from that aspect it has improved remarkably.'
'The sport has changed quite a bit over the years because, originally, we would have the steeplechase course and it was far more of an endurance test.'
'But with the Olympics and many other countries taking part now we had to reduce the amount of workload on the horses and the competitors. But we still maintain the dressage, the cross country and then the last test of all and always the most exciting bit - the show jumping.'
A brief but beneficial boost for local economy
With just short of 200,000 people expected in total over the competition - local hospitality businesses say they're pleased to have the Trials back.
James Dodman. who runs the Paten & Co pub on Red Lion Square, says it provides a brief but beneficial boost:
'During lunch times there's no one about because they know Burghley's on, so a lot of people that are regulars in Stamford don't actually bother coming in - but, as soon as it hits 5pm everyone goes home, hits the shower and gets changed and then it's busy from then.'
'For the whole week it's generally good - good for restaurants good for pubs, a lot of people moan about it but it's one of the key things that brings trade to the town, so overall it's good.'
Emma, who runs the Riverside Fishbar in Stamford, said:
'It definitely helps the business. In the evenings we're a lot busier all the way through the week because people tend to arrive around about Tuesday. In the days we're a bit quieter but it does bring a lot to the business.'
What are the Burghley Horse Trials?
With it being three years since the last one, and a host of new faces coming to the event for the first time, we took a closer look at how the competition actually works.
Friday's all about rounding up the dressage stage of the competition, with the cross country coming on Saturday before a winner's declared on Sunday after the show jumping.
Event Director Martyn Johnson told us Burghley is like the "Wimbledon" or "US Open" of equestrian eventing:
'Burghley is one of the top class, five-star events. We only have seven in the world, it's sort of a grand slam event. It's like a triathlon for the equestrian athlete.'
'The competitors get scored for the dressage - they get a percentage score, and then they get a penalty score which is then carried forward to the next phase, the cross country. There's then a timed cross country course which is around 11-and-a-half minutes, which they have an optimum time to try and achieve.'
'That then carries forward to the show jumping phase where again you're basically trying to keep these faults away and the lowest score at the end of the competition wins.'
An in-depth look at Burghley and the cash prize
The Burghley Horse Trials have officially returned to Stamford for the first time since before the pandemic, and this year's event has been 'one-of-a-kind'.
Just short of 200,000 people are expected through the gates and on the grounds of the iconic country home from Thursday (1st September) until Sunday (4th September).
Fans and celebrities will watch around 70 of the world's top riders go gracefully head-to-head throughout the week, competing across dressage, jumping and cross country - with a share of a prize fund of over £300,000 on offer for the top 20 competitors.
A handsome £100k sum will go to the winner.
A 'year like no other' for riders, organisers and the fans
With Horse Trials returning to Burghley for the first time since 2019, there's a few changes which have been made that are set to make this year one for the history books.
READ MORE: Behind-the-scenes access at the Burghley Horse Trials 2022
READ MORE: Burghley House's Lion Bridge repaired in time for '180,000 to cross'
Emma Hyslop-Webb's one of those competing for the grand prize, and she's no stranger to Burghley, but she will be to the course this time around - with it being put together by Tokyo Olympics and five-star track-designer Derek Di Grazia.
She told Greatest Hits Radio there "really is a sense of excitement different to any year":
'I think it's new challenges, we've got a different course-builder, it's not happened for two years, so I feel there's going to be a different spark and flare to it than there ever has been before, because people have missed this, the community of Stamford have missed this.'
'Getting to see the top riders, a sense of thrill, adrenaline that you just can't get a feel from watching on the TV. It probably looks very rideable from sitting on the sofa, but when you're actually here and walk up to the dimensions and the size of the fences - it's completely different.'
20-year-old Alice Casburn's one to watch in the future of 5-star eventing, and it'll be her first time competing at Burghley this year:
'You always expect a big course when you go to a five-star like this but it's when you walk it you realise how big 'big' can be', she said.
'I'm incredibly excited, Burghley is like my home five-star really so I'm incredibly excited, if not slightly petrified to be here.'
All you need to know
For FAQs and more information on getting to the Burghley Horse Trials, click here.
For a provisional timetable on each day's events, click here