January is usually the quietest of months for event riders, but last month was anything but for our reigning Defender Burghley Champion, Ros Canter.

After celebrating her 40th birthday on 13 January, she welcomed her second daughter on the 24th. Whether or not she grows up to follow her mother into the sport, this little one can always claim she’s already been clear round Burghley last September.

‘Walter’ Lordships Graffalo clearly approves too!

Many congratulations to Ros, Chris, and big sister Ziggy.

Celebrating pure Class

Double Defender Burghley winner, Oliver Townend, recently announced the retirement of his ‘best mate’ and double Burghley champion Ballaghmor Class from eventing. Thomas, as he is known at home, won Burghley with Oliver in 2017 and 2023, besides two American CCI5*s, the pair finishing in the top five in three-day events at this level a staggering 11 times. 

But, it’s Burghley’s unique terrain that helps highlight the best event horses in the world — and Ballaghmor Class is certainly one of those.

We’re delighted that Oliver is going to bring him to Burghley one last time on Sunday 6 September to mark his retirement in an official ceremony

in the Main Arena.

Supporting officials of the future

Defender Burghley plays a role, not just in running one of the world’s greatest Horse Trials, but also in developing the course-designers, builders and officials needed now and in the future.

In December, Burghley hosted a training day for more than 30 cross-country designers, course-builders, technical delegates and technical advisors.

And in January, Burghley announced the revival of the Bill Thomson Bursary — named in memory of Burghley’s first, pioneering course-designer — to help new designers and course builders to learn the craft.

Applications close on Thursday 26 February.

BILL THOMSON BURSARY

Young event horse judges revealed

Competed at Burghley each year is the highly-respected Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals on Friday 4 September. 

The competition’s format has been devised so that, without being overtaxed, young horses may demonstrate their future potential, which is assessed at the finals by hand-picked judges with extensive experience at the CCI5* level. 

This year’s judging of the dressage will be regular championship and CCI5* ground jury members Christina Klingspor (SWE) and Angela Tucker (GBR); the jumping will be assessed by Dutch Olympic rider and National Team Coach Andrew Heffernan (NED) and CCI5* rider and young horse producer Nicky Roncoroni (IRL). Renowned vet John Killingbeck will judge

“suitability and type”.

Clayton Fredericks, an eventing medallist at Olympic and World Championship level for Australia and now a very successful cross-country course-designer, will assess “potential to gallop” for the top 10 finalists in both the four-and five-year-old sections.