The Burghley Sponsored Ride

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

21 April 2011 16:19

The Burghley Sponsored Ride returns this year for its 12th event. The 10-12km track takes riders along the spectacular Burghley Horse Trials course and the surrounding parkland.
The ride, which is open to all horse and riders, will take place on Sunday 4th September 2011.

What makes this ride so popular is that riders are allowed onto the course that has been jumped on the previous day by past Olympic legends such as Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt, Mark Todd and Mary King. Participants will be able to gain a rider’s eye view of famous fences including the Dairy Mound and Trout Hatchery and enjoy a trot down the Avenue of Champions. After this brush with equestrian history, riders can enjoy quiet off-road hacking around the beautiful Burghley estate.

The ride is open to anyone aged five years and upwards. Over £115,000 has been raised by the event over the years and 100% of this has gone to equine and local charities such as World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society, Air Ambulance and Mark Davies Injured Riders fund.

Liz Smith from Hertfordshire can’t wait to saddle up: “The chance to say I'm taking my horse to Burghley Horse Trials doesn't come around that often,” she says. “I'll be bringing my seven-year-old year old Pura Raza Espanola Matrix, for his first visit to beautiful Burghley. He'll be plaited up Spanish style and we’re hoping to have our photo taken in front of Burghley House. It’ll be a real social event for us, with a picnic afterwards with friends and relatives.”

Everyone completing the course will receive a rosette and sponsors’ goody bag and there will be special prizes from the Burghley Horse Trials branded shop for the top three fund raisers. Participants will also have access to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at pedestrian rates, where they can enjoy the fabulous shopping and the show jumping phase of the event (grandstand tickets must be purchased separately). Stabling and accommodation are available for participants making the journey from further afield.

For further details, to download a sponsorship form and to book your place, visit www.icommentate.co.uk/burghley or email burghleysponsoredride@btconnect.com. Entries are limited and cannot be taken on the day so it’s advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.

Related Articles:

- Blunders on day one at Burghley
- Video from Burghley 2010