Thousands head for Stamford as Burghley Horse Trials get underway
THOUSANDS of visitors are in the Stamford area for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
With hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and restaurants fully booked for miles around and a reasonable weather forecast, the annual three-day event at Burghley House is expected to equal or surpass last year's record of 150,000 people over the whole weekend.
The event is one of the top five three-day events in the world. With the magnificent Elizabethan mansion and grounds as backdrop, it kicked off yesterday with the dressage competition which will continue today. The cross-country competition takes place tomorrow with show-jumping on Sunday.
Among 105 competitors, representing 13 nations, last year's winner, Oliver Townend, will be defending his title on Carousel Quest and competing for the prestigious Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy and prize money of 50,000.
This year's 30-fence cross-country course has again been designed by Captain Mark Phillips.
There are several high-powered ancillary events, including the Burghley Pony Club team jumping and the finals of the Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse competition which talent spots the equine stars of the future. A dressage display in the main ring today will be presented by international trainer Ferdi Eilberg and his children Maria and Michael, both top riders. The 500 trade stands, arranged in three avenues and six pavilions, make for some great shopping.
All things equestrian and a lot more besides are on offer, including specialist foods, furniture, tailoring, crafts and Bond Street jewellery - everything from a tablecloth to a treehouse is available. There is a celebrity talk area, big screens for all the sporting action and this year a new range of Burghley clothing by Joules will be on sale.
Tickets on the gate are 10 per car and 11 per person today and on Sunday, 24 for Saturday, accompanied children aged 12 and under get in free. Gates open at 7.30am each day and the shops at 9am.
For more details see the www.burghley-horse.co.uk website.
Burghley House and gardens will be closed to visitors throughout the event.
Programme:
Today:
Dressage - Main Arena, 9am-5pm
Dressage Display - Main Arena, 12.30 & 4.30pm
Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse Finals - Ring 2, 9am-5pm
Stallion Parade - Ring 2, 12.30pm
Saturday
Cross Country, 11am-5pm
Sunday
Final Horse Inspection - Main Arena, 9am
Showjumping - Main Arena, 10.30am and 2.30pm
Displays - Main Arena, 12.30pm
The Band & Bugles of the Rifles - Main Arena, 2pm
Parade of Foxhounds - Main Arena, 3.45pm
Presentation of prizes - Main Arena, 4pm
Mini Burghley Event Pony, Racehorse to Riding Horse qualifier & Burghley Event Pony finals - all Ring 2
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Weather for Stamford
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
