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Photo credit: Piggy March winning the 2022 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Vanir Kamira, Peter Nixon/Land Rover Burghley.
Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is currently in discussions with UK Sport, having submitted an application to access funds that will enable it to hold the next FEI Eventing World Championships in 2026. Burghley has hosted the world championships twice before (in 1966 and 1974), as well as six European Championships and one Young Riders European Championship.
As just one of seven five-star international horse trials in the world and part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, Burghley is one of the best-attended sporting fixtures in the UK. The event was stablished in 1961 and is held in the grounds of historic Burghley House outside Stamford, Lincolnshire.
According to event director Martyn Johnson, hosting the 2026 World Championships would bring huge benefits to both Burghley itself and the local community, particularly as the longer-term vision is for the event to invest further in upgrading its permanent infrastructures for both riders and horses.
Martyn said: “As we experienced with the London 2012 Olympics, the legacy of a British world championships would not only help our British teams win medals for years to come but would also provide inspiration, opportunities and facilities for the next generation of equestrian stars through our associations with the Pony Club and grassroots riders.”
The UK has had recent success in the Eventing World Championships that are held every four years. In 2022, Yasmin Ingham won the individual gold medal in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, riding Banzai Du Loir, and, in 2018, the team took gold in Tryon, USA, with Ros Canter taking individual gold on Allstar B. In 2006, in Aachen, Germany, Zara Tindall, riding Toytown, was also individual world champion at the event.
The bid process is currently open for the 2026 championships and will conclude by June.
The 2023 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trails will take place from Thursday, 31 August to Sunday, 4 September.
For more information visit burghley-horse.co.uk
