Who’s going to win Burghley and other things the horse world is talking about

1. The final countdown to Burghley

It’s been a long time coming, but later today eventing’s super fans will be flocking into the Burghley estate to watch this afternoon’s first horse inspection as the event gets under way for the first time since Pippa Funnell lifted the trophy in 2019. Can she make it back-to-back victories riding her 2022 partner Billy Walk On? Pippa is certainly among our eventing editor’s pick of those to watch at the event – find out who else made the list of favourites to win the Land Rover title among this year’s Burghley Horse Trials riders. Our team of journalists will be on hand throughout the event to bring you all the news as it happens from course pictures and the first trot-up today, to the final key showjumping rounds on Sunday.

• Don’t miss a moment from Burghley Horse Trials

2. A Grand National runner wins on his dressage debut

Two-time Grand National runner Ballyoptic, who earned over £300,000 in his National Hunt career and retired after last year’s race, has demonstrated the versatility of former racehorses by claiming a red rosette on his first-ever dressage outing. Marisa Mills, whose family owns the chaser, told H&H his first competitive outing since leaving Nigel Twiston-Davies’s yard was preliminary dressage at Beechwood Equestrian Centre on Tuesday (23 August), where he won his class. “Can you believe that?” she said. “I was so impressed with him, bless him. He’s amazing.”

• Find out what “Bally” has been up to since leaving training and who’s become his new best friend

3. Glitz, glamour and flowery sashes galore

The BSPS Summer Championships are always a favourite among the showing community and this year’s show didn’t disappoint with numerous exquisite show animals to watch at Arena UK. The titles were as hard fought for as ever with both plaited and natives competing for their prestigious flowery sashes. The overall supreme went to the Knipe family’s beautiful five-year-old lead-rein show pony Derw Dream Boy with five-year-old Milly in the saddle. She was led by her delighted father James, a farrier, so it was a real family affair.

• Check out more BSPS summer champions

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