Your five-star guide to Burghley Horse Trials 2023

Looking to make the most of your Burghley experience? From the horse sports to the shopping and everything in between, The Field has got you covered

- SARAH FITZPATRICK

THE DEFENDER Burghley Horse Trials is an institution, this year running from Thursday, 31 August until Sunday, 3 September. It started almost by accident in 1961, following the last-minute transfer of a three-day event from Harewood after a suspected foot-and-mouth outbreak. Today, the competition is one of only seven prestigious CCI5* events in the world. Burghley also boasts the biggest first prize in the sport of eventing, as this year’s winner will take home £110,000. It is heaven for the horsey and hound crowd (the event tends to herald the start of the hunting year, as stubbles are cut and hounds begin their early mornings) and just as essential as a high point on the social calendar.

Find great larks in the beer tent, cardmelting shopping and, for serious eventing fans, a chance to get the inside track on the competition in the Celebrity Talk Area. All of this takes place in the incomparable setting of Burghley House and its splendid parkland. One day at the event is never enough but luckily you can catch up on the action with Burghley TV, as it’s impossible not to get distracted while you’re there. We wish all the riders luck.

FOUR-LEGGED ATTRACTIONS TEA & THE TROT-UP (30 August)