BHT DAY 1: The Burghley Horse Trials are BACK and are "different" to any other
It's the first time Stamford's welcomed the international competition since before COVID
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
The Burghley Horse Trials have officially returned to Stamford for the first time since before the pandemic, and this year's event is set to be '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 Today (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