Star-studded line-up for Burghley’s Masterclasses
Dressage maestro Carl Hester is among the big names who will be presenting Masterclasses in the main arena at this year's Defender Burghley Horse Trials, taking place 5 to 8 September 2024. He will be leading his latest class, titled Groom to Grand Prix, during the lunchtime break from the CCI5* action on Friday 6 September. William and Pippa Funnell, William and Alice Fox-Pitt and Henrietta Knight will also be presenting three new demonstrations.
Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight's Re-educating the Racehorse Masterclass takes place during the lunch break on Thursday 5 September. She will work with four riders who have retrained their ex-racehorses to achieve success in other disciplines: Katie Dashwood (Minella Rebellion), Amanda Brieditis (Kilmarnock Lad), Sarah Pinfield (Kings Bridge) and Lizzie Harris (Glen Forsa).
After the CCI5* dressage has concluded on Thursday, William Fox-Pitt and his wife Alice will take to the stage for their Masterclass, Preparing for Burghley. William, who has recently retired from top-level eventing, has a record 14 CCI5* wins, including an astonishing six at Defender Burghley. ITV Racing presenter Alice is the only woman to have completed both Mars Badminton Horse Trials and the Grand National course at Aintree.
To round-up the demonstrations, the illustrious husband-and-wife team of showjumper William and eventer Pippa Funnell – herself a dual Burghley winner – will present the Showjumping: Working in Harmony! Masterclass after dressage finishes on Friday afternoon.
To provide some light relief from the thrill and the tension of the CCI5* sport, the Shetland Pony Grand National will take place in the main arena before cross-country on Saturday 7 September and before the final session of CCI5* showjumping on Sunday 8 September.
As well as top-class sport featuring both the most famous horses and riders in the world and up-and-coming stars, the event in historic Burghley Park offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and plenty of entertainment for children and less horsey members of the family.
To find out more about Defender Burghley (5 to 8 September 2024) and to purchase tickets, please click here.
Photo: DBHT/Peter Nixon
Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight's Re-educating the Racehorse Masterclass takes place during the lunch break on Thursday 5 September. She will work with four riders who have retrained their ex-racehorses to achieve success in other disciplines: Katie Dashwood (Minella Rebellion), Amanda Brieditis (Kilmarnock Lad), Sarah Pinfield (Kings Bridge) and Lizzie Harris (Glen Forsa).
After the CCI5* dressage has concluded on Thursday, William Fox-Pitt and his wife Alice will take to the stage for their Masterclass, Preparing for Burghley. William, who has recently retired from top-level eventing, has a record 14 CCI5* wins, including an astonishing six at Defender Burghley. ITV Racing presenter Alice is the only woman to have completed both Mars Badminton Horse Trials and the Grand National course at Aintree.
To round-up the demonstrations, the illustrious husband-and-wife team of showjumper William and eventer Pippa Funnell – herself a dual Burghley winner – will present the Showjumping: Working in Harmony! Masterclass after dressage finishes on Friday afternoon.
To provide some light relief from the thrill and the tension of the CCI5* sport, the Shetland Pony Grand National will take place in the main arena before cross-country on Saturday 7 September and before the final session of CCI5* showjumping on Sunday 8 September.
As well as top-class sport featuring both the most famous horses and riders in the world and up-and-coming stars, the event in historic Burghley Park offers superb shopping opportunities, delicious food and drink, elegant hospitality options and plenty of entertainment for children and less horsey members of the family.
To find out more about Defender Burghley (5 to 8 September 2024) and to purchase tickets, please click here.
Photo: DBHT/Peter Nixon