Latest news with #DefenderBurghleyHorseTrials
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Premier course designer Derek di Grazia is excited by the newly-reversed course at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Premier course designer Derek di Grazia is excited by the newly-reversed course at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials as it changes direction for the first time in eight years. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Californian, who also set the course for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, made the decision to reverse the cross-country course for the world-renowned CCI5* eventing competition at Burghley House in September. Most Popular He is anticipating fresh excitement as horse and rider will travel in the direction for the first time since 2017, presenting fresh challenges and approaches to the famous jumps. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For years it has been run the other way, so it was due for a change,' he explained. 'This is one of the big ways you can make a really significant change that totally gives a really different feel to the course. It's really good for the competitors to have something quite different to appeal the ride.' The cross-country, taking place on the Saturday of the event that runs from 4-7 September, represents the second of three disciplines that will be contested over the three-day event. Alongside show jumping and dressage, the winner will be crowned from their performance in all three disciplines making it the ultimate equestrian event. And there will be further anticipation for the 2025 iteration owing to Di Grazia's changes. For people that have been following Burghley for years, the reversing of the course this year will be exciting because it will show the way the track can be ridden in the opposite direction,' he added. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The terrain will come up differently, you'll have new jumps in different locations and for the riders there definitely is going to be a different strategy in terms of the best way to ride the course because the iconic features that used to be at one end of the course will now be in a different part of the course. 'So how you meet those different features will be different and the fences placed at those locations will be different to if they were placed earlier or later in the course.' While familiar features like Winner's Avenue ensure Burghley retains their uniqueness, Di Grazia was keen to stress it is the overall feel of a course that makes it special rather than individual jumps. 'Burghley has many iconic fences that have been here for so many years so we always try and include those in the course,' he said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To highlight one over the other is not really the case because when you do a course it's not necessarily about one jump, it's about the collection of all the jumps and how they ride as a whole.' And with the likes of former winners and Olympic gold medallists Oliver Townend and Ros Canter expected to compete come September, the Defender Burghley Horse Trials are set to deliver another memorable occasion. For Di Grazia, it is the remarkable history and setting that keeps Burghley at the pinnacle of the eventing calendar. 'Burghley is special because there is so much history here. It's been a 5* probably the second-longest of any of the 5*s,' he said. 'The setting here at Burghley, the terrain at Burghley is known worldwide for anyone who has ever watched the competition but also the competitors because competitors want to come here and compete because it is one of those very special events on the calendar. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It takes a special horse to be able to compete here at Burghley.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Event director Martyn Johnson is ensuring Defender Burghley Horse Trials are future-proofed
With just three weeks to go until the historic event kicks off on the grounds of Burghley House in Stamford, preparations are well under way for Martyn Johnson. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And as he prepares to welcome the elite equestrians to the world-renowned 5* equestrian event, there is plenty to look forward to with a refreshed course and many of the same hallmarks that make Burghley so special. Most Popular 'The important thing is that we like to keep the event familiar for those who come each year but it's also about future-proofing the event,' explained Johnson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Derek di Grazia has reversed the course this year and it'll be the first time since 2017 that it has gone in this direction. That will bring quite a different feel and different flavour. 'The course will come up in a different order to people that have been here in the last couple of years. A lot of our riders may have never been round the course in this direction. 'As with each year, it will present its different challenges. They're going to have to have enough left in the tank at the end to be able to get around inside the time.' The directional change means much of the taxing uphill sections on the cross country route will come at the end of the course, while riders will head down the iconic Winner's Avenue early on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In making the change, course setter Di Grazia is providing different challenges for the riders and horses to face while they will also compete in showjumping and dressage during the competition, with the winner crowned on their performance across all three disciplines. Meanwhile Johnson has been ensuring other staple elements of the spectator experience will be on a par with the world-class competition on display. 'The things that we do often relate to the existing audience and potential new audience and how they consume things,' he said. 'Sports presentation is really key to us, how we present the competition, but also more simple things like how good the food offering is, the queue to get in, the loos. They're all really important focuses for us so people have a good experience when they get here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And while all the work continues behind the scenes to ensure the Defender Burghley Horse Trials keep delivering, Johnson maintains there is just something special about the event that runs through its very existence and makes it an occasion not to be missed. 'Burghley is very unique. It's got a real history with the first event going back to 1961. But I think what makes Burghley really special is the unique setting,' he explained. 'We're very lucky to be in a beautiful parkland with the backdrop of the house. It's a very unique place for cross-country and the terrain here is like no other terrain in the world. 'So it's a very special place to host an event of its type and we're very lucky custodians of it. 'There's lots of things to do here, you don't necessarily have to be an equestrian or an eventing fan, there are lots more exhibition stands here and lots of different food and drink offerings here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So it can be a real family day out here as well if you're not interested in horses, but obviously if you are then it is definitely the place to come.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Defender Burghley determined to 'future-proof' event for decades
Event Director Martyn Johnson is ensuring Defender Burghley Horse Trials are future-proofed while also ensuring they retain their familiar uniqueness. With just three weeks to go until the historic event kicks off on the grounds of Burghley House in Stamford, preparations are well under way for Johnson. And as he prepares to welcome the elite equestrians to the world-renowned 5* equestrian event, there is plenty to look forward to with a refreshed course and many of the same hallmarks that make Burghley so special. 'The important thing is that we like to keep the event familiar for those who come each year but it's also about future-proofing the event,' explained Johnson. 'Derek [di Grazia]'s reversed the course this year and it'll be the first time since 2017 that it has gone in this direction. That will bring quite a different feel and different flavour. 'The course will come up in a different order to people that have been here in the last couple of years. A lot of our riders may have never been round the course in this direction. 'As with each year, it will present its different challenges. They're going to have to have enough left in the tank at the end to be able to get around inside the time.' The directional change means much of the taxing uphill sections on the cross country route will come at the end of the course, while riders will head down the iconic Winner's Avenue early on. In making the change, course setter Di Grazia is providing different challenges for the riders and horses to face while they will also compete in showjumping and dressage during the competition, with the winner crowned on their performance across all three disciplines. Meanwhile Johnson has been ensuring other staple elements of the spectator experience will be on a par with the world-class competition on display. 'The things that we do often relate to the existing audience and potential new audience and how they consume things,' he said. 'Sports presentation is really key to us, how we present the competition, but also more simple things like how good the food offering is, the queue to get in, the loos. 'They're all really important focuses for us so people have a good experience when they get here.' And while all the work continues behind the scenes to ensure the Defender Burghley Horse Trials keep delivering, Johnson maintains there is just something special about the event that runs through its very existence and makes it an occasion not to be missed. 'Burghley is very unique. It's got a real history with the first event going back to 1961. But I think what makes Burghley really special is the unique setting,' he explained. 'We're very lucky to be in a beautiful parkland with the backdrop of the house. It's a very unique place for cross-country and the terrain here is like no other terrain in the world. 'So it's a very special place to host an event of its type and we're very lucky custodians of it. 'There's lots of things to do here, you don't necessarily have to be an equestrian or an eventing fan, there are lots more exhibition stands here and lots of different food and drink offerings here. 'So it can be a real family day out here as well if you're not interested in horses, but obviously if you are then it is definitely the place to come.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Di Grazia excited for new course at Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Premier course designer Derek di Grazia is excited by the newly-reversed course at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials as it changes direction for the first time in eight years. The Californian, who also set the course for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, made the decision to reverse the cross-country course for the world-renowned CCI5* eventing competition at Burghley House in September. He is anticipating fresh excitement as horse and rider will travel in the direction for the first time since 2017, presenting fresh challenges and approaches to the famous jumps. 'For years it has been run the other way, so it was due for a change,' he explained. 'This is one of the big ways you can make a really significant change that totally gives a really different feel to the course. 'It's really good for the competitors to have something quite different to appeal the ride.' The cross-country, taking place on the Saturday of the event that runs from 4-7 September, represents the second of three disciplines that will be contested over the three-day event. Alongside show jumping and dressage, the winner will be crowned from their performance in all three disciplines making it the ultimate equestrian event. And there will be further anticipation for the 2025 iteration owing to Di Grazia's changes. For people that have been following Burghley for years, the reversing of the course this year will be exciting because it will show the way the track can be ridden in the opposite direction,' he added. 'The terrain will come up differently, you'll have new jumps in different locations and for the riders there definitely is going to be a different strategy in terms of the best way to ride the course because the iconic features that used to be at one end of the course will now be in a different part of the course. 'So how you meet those different features will be different and the fences placed at those locations will be different to if they were placed earlier or later in the course.' While familiar features like Winner's Avenue ensure Burghley retains its familiar uniqueness, Di Grazia was keen to stress it is the overall feel of a course that makes it special rather than individual jumps. 'Burghley has many iconic fences that have been here for so many years so we always try and include those in the course,' he said. 'To highlight one over the other is not really the case because when you do a course it's not necessarily about one jump, it's about the collection of all the jumps and how they ride as a whole.' And with the likes of former winners and Olympic gold medallists Oliver Townend and Ros Canter expected to compete come September, the Defender Burghley Horse Trials are set to deliver another memorable occasion. For Di Grazia, it is the remarkable history and setting that keeps Burghley at the pinnacle of the eventing calendar. 'Burghley is special because there is so much history here. It's been a 5* probably the second-longest of any of the 5*s,' he said. 'The setting here at Burghley, the terrain at Burghley is known worldwide for anyone who has ever watched the competition but also the competitors because competitors want to come here and compete because it is one of those very special events on the calendar. 'It takes a special horse to be able to compete here at Burghley.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
Scotsman
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Event director Martyn Johnson is ensuring Defender Burghley Horse Trials are future-proofed
With just three weeks to go until the historic event kicks off on the grounds of Burghley House in Stamford, preparations are well under way for Martyn Johnson. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And as he prepares to welcome the elite equestrians to the world-renowned 5* equestrian event, there is plenty to look forward to with a refreshed course and many of the same hallmarks that make Burghley so special. 'The important thing is that we like to keep the event familiar for those who come each year but it's also about future-proofing the event,' explained Johnson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Derek di Grazia has reversed the course this year and it'll be the first time since 2017 that it has gone in this direction. That will bring quite a different feel and different flavour. 'The course will come up in a different order to people that have been here in the last couple of years. A lot of our riders may have never been round the course in this direction. 'As with each year, it will present its different challenges. They're going to have to have enough left in the tank at the end to be able to get around inside the time.' The directional change means much of the taxing uphill sections on the cross country route will come at the end of the course, while riders will head down the iconic Winner's Avenue early on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In making the change, course setter Di Grazia is providing different challenges for the riders and horses to face while they will also compete in showjumping and dressage during the competition, with the winner crowned on their performance across all three disciplines. Meanwhile Johnson has been ensuring other staple elements of the spectator experience will be on a par with the world-class competition on display. 'The things that we do often relate to the existing audience and potential new audience and how they consume things,' he said. 'Sports presentation is really key to us, how we present the competition, but also more simple things like how good the food offering is, the queue to get in, the loos. They're all really important focuses for us so people have a good experience when they get here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And while all the work continues behind the scenes to ensure the Defender Burghley Horse Trials keep delivering, Johnson maintains there is just something special about the event that runs through its very existence and makes it an occasion not to be missed. 'Burghley is very unique. It's got a real history with the first event going back to 1961. But I think what makes Burghley really special is the unique setting,' he explained. 'We're very lucky to be in a beautiful parkland with the backdrop of the house. It's a very unique place for cross-country and the terrain here is like no other terrain in the world. 'So it's a very special place to host an event of its type and we're very lucky custodians of it. 'There's lots of things to do here, you don't necessarily have to be an equestrian or an eventing fan, there are lots more exhibition stands here and lots of different food and drink offerings here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So it can be a real family day out here as well if you're not interested in horses, but obviously if you are then it is definitely the place to come.'
