HISTORY

It was in 1961 that the Marquess of Exeter, on hearing that the autumn three-day event at Harewood could no longer be held, invited the British Horse Society to transfer the event to his estate. In its second year, 1962, Burghley ran the F.E.I.'s European Championship and this was the beginning of a remarkable record. No other international horse trials site has staged as many Championships, a record ten in all including the first World Championship in 1966.

In total Burghley has run two World Championships in 1966 and 1974, six European Championships in 1962, 1971,1977, 1985, 1989 and 1997. Also one Young Riders European Championship in 1978.

It is the longest continuous running international event. Up to 2006 there have been six course designers : Bill Thomson, M.R.C.V.S. 1961 - 1983, Lt.- Col. Henry Nicoll, D.S.O., O.B.E., 1975, Philip Herbert 1984 - 1988, Capt. Mark Phillips, C.V.O., 1989 - 1996 and 1998 - 2000, Mike Tucker 1997 and 2001, Wolfgang Feld 2002 - 2004 and Capt. Mark Phillips, C.V.O., 2005 -.

Individual Records
Virginia Elliott, (nee Holgate) and Mark Todd are the most successful riders to compete at Burghley, both winning 5 times. Virginia Elliott in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1989 and Mark Todd in 1987, 1990, 1991, 1997 and 1999. Lorna Clarke, (nee Sutherland) has completed the Burghley event more times than any other rider, 16 times between 1967 and 1989. Finally, only one horse has won Burghley twice: Priceless in 1983 and 1985.

Past Winners - Burghley 3-Day Event

Past Winners - Burghley Young Event Horse