HRH The Princess Royal will attend Defender Burghley Horse Trials next week in her capacity as President of World Horse Welfare, the Lincolnshire CCI5* event's supported charity for 2026, and as President of the British Eventing Support Trust.
Her Royal Highness, who won the European Championships at Burghley in 1971, will present the prizes to the winners of Burghley 2026 after the concluding showjumping phase. The royal prize-giving will provide a fitting climax to a true “Super Sunday” celebrating world-class sport.
A Celebration of British Equestrian Achievement
The crowds packed around Burghley’s Main Arena will have an opportunity to salute Britain’s gold medal-winning squad from the recent FEI World Eventing Championships in Aachen, Germany. The four team members – double Defender Burghley heroine Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Gemma Stevens – and individual rider Caroline Harris will parade in Defender vehicles before the CCI5* prizes are awarded.
There is bound to be plenty of emotion as Burghley pays tribute to one of the greatest event horses of recent times, dual Burghley champion Ballaghmor Class, as he canters round the Main Arena for a final time under Oliver Townend. The pair not only won Defender Burghley in 2017 and 2023, but also Olympic team gold for Britain in Tokyo five years ago. At the age of 19, the much-loved grey gelding, owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan, is being officially retired from eventing at Burghley that day.
Event Director Welcomes Royal Attendance
Burghley’s Event Director Martyn Johnson said: “We are very honoured that HRH The Princess Royal is attending Burghley again this year. As a former winner of Burghley, and a British gold medallist herself, it is highly appropriate that Her Royal Highness will play a role on a day which celebrates so much British equestrian sporting achievement.”
Main Arena attractions on Sunday also include the Defender Shetland Pony Grand National, the British Army Tidworth Band, and a parade of the Fitzwilliam (Milton) hounds.
One of Only Six CCI5* Competitions Worldwide
As one of only six CCI5* competitions around the globe, Defender Burghley always attracts the very top athletes, and ranks alongside Wimbledon and The Masters as a sporting “major”. The event offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and lots to entertain children and less-horsey members of the family.
For a full timetable to help plan a trip to Defender Burghley and to purchase membership and general admission tickets, visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.
