Oliver Townend and Cooley SRS © Trevor Holt
World number one Oliver Townend, a long-time supporter of Burgham and winner of its feature CIC3* in 2016, has six horses entered in the CIC3* and CIC2*. They include his 2018 Kentucky CCI4* winner Cooley Master Class and 2018 Badminton CCI4* runner-up Cooley SRS.
Among the 300-plus entries for the three international classes – CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC* – are Nicola Wilson, team gold and individual bronze medallist at the 2017 European Championships, world number two and fellow team gold medallist Ros Canter, Izzy Taylor, who is ranked number two in the British national rankings and number eight in the world, and British number four Piggy French. World team silver medallist Harry Meade is making his first trip to Burgham.
Popular Northumberland-based husband and wife Ben and Emma Hobday have multiple entries at the county’s premier equestrian event.
Entries have also been received from riders of nationalities as far-flung as Argentina, Japan, Sweden, Morocco and the USA, as well as Australia, France and New Zealand.
Event Director Martyn Johnson said:
“I really am delighted with the number and quality of the entry for Burgham this year. We try very hard to provide top-class sport in a relaxed, friendly setting, and that reputation is now well-established. Our cross-country courses, designed by David Evans and Blyth Tait, are testing, educational and fair, and the footing is always excellent. We hope that lots of people will take the opportunity to see the world’s best horses and riders competing in Northumberland.”
Burgham’s committee is delighted to welcome luxury hotel and wedding venue Newton Hall, Bold, Romantic and Fantastical as sponsor of the CIC3*, along with other great sponsors such as Howard Russell Construction (CIC2*) and Metnor Construction (CIC*). Without their loyal support, the event would not take place.
Burgham runs a complete range of affiliated eventing classes: CIC3*, CIC2* and CIC* international classes, and national competitions from BE90 to Open Intermediate, catering for the entire eventing community from the very top riders in the world to amateurs riding at grassroots level.
The jumping phases of Burgham’s international classes take place on Sunday, 29 July, with the national classes taking centre stage on Saturday, 28 July. On Friday, 27 July, Burgham hosts Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes and the dressage phase of the international sections commences.
There is also a British Showjumping Category 2 show at Burgham on Sunday.
Other attractions include lots of children’s entertainment, a variety of carefully selected locally produced food options, a licenced bar and great shopping.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.burghaminternationalhorsetrials.co.uk.
