'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Horse & Hound|September 12, 2024
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
Pippa Roome
'This is the ultimate five-star test'

HOW good it felt to move on from the pressure and controversies of the Olympics to savour the quality of Burghley, the five-star that started when it stood in for Harewood in 1961 because of foot-and-mouth.

My Burghley memories start in 1964 at the Pony Club championships when a Beaufort team including Jane Holderness-Roddam and I were beaten into second and then I rode Rock On to fourth in 1968. I then designed the cross-country for most of the next 30 years.

With Martyn Johnson in charge, Tim Henson chair of the Director's Advisory Group and unprecedented investment and co-operation from the Burghley Estate, the event moves forward in leaps and bounds, with the help of Defender sponsorship.

The team must navigate the challenges of the internet, social media and declining spectators at outdoor events.

Happily, this year Burghley maintained their numbers and improved spectator experiences so hopefully the future is assured, but this is an ever-changing minefield.

THE WORLD'S BEST DESIGNER

THE presence of three Olympic horses in Ros Canter's Lordships Graffalo, Austin O'Connor's Colorado Blue and Susie Berry's Wellfields Lincoln contributed to making this year special.

This story is from the September 12, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 12, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORSE & HOUNDView All
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Horse & Hound

Gemirande provides 24-carat magic

Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
Horse & Hound

‘Happy hunting, everyone'

“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits

time-read
2 mins  |
December 19, 2024
'Monaco deserved this victory
Horse & Hound

'Monaco deserved this victory

Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix

time-read
4 mins  |
December 19, 2024
'It had to end sometime'
Horse & Hound

'It had to end sometime'

The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports

time-read
6 mins  |
December 19, 2024
'You couldn't want for more
Horse & Hound

'You couldn't want for more

The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"

time-read
7 mins  |
December 19, 2024
The greatest gift of all
Horse & Hound

The greatest gift of all

Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options

time-read
7 mins  |
December 19, 2024
Winter him well
Horse & Hound

Winter him well

A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season

time-read
4 mins  |
December 19, 2024
Neat feet
Horse & Hound

Neat feet

Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead

time-read
5 mins  |
December 19, 2024
In bygone days
Horse & Hound

In bygone days

Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London

time-read
6 mins  |
December 19, 2024
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Horse & Hound

'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'

Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life

time-read
4 mins  |
December 19, 2024