Defender Burghley Horse Trials has announced that World Horse Welfare will be its official charity for the 2026 event, which takes place from Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 September.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with such an important charity, which has achieved so much for horse welfare over the years,” said Martyn Johnson, Burghley’s event director.
“World Horse Welfare is the only horse charity dedicated to helping every single type of horse, including those in leisure and sport.”
As charity of the year, World Horse Welfare will be able to raise funds, boost awareness of their work and further develop their supporter base through a range of on-site initiatives throughout the four-day competition.
Visitors will be able to add a voluntary donation to World Horse Welfare when they buy their tickets, volunteers from the charity will man the “Shop and Drop” facility during the event and the cross-country course will feature a World Horse Welfare-themed jump.
‘Significant opportunity’
“As long-time partners of Defender Burghley Horse Trials, we are delighted to further cement this relationship through being its Charity of the Year for 2026,” said Roly Owers, chief executive at World Horse Welfare.
“In the UK, the rescue and rehoming of horses in need is a vital aspect of our work, particularly at this time of the year, with a lack of forage such an issue, and when reports of welfare concerns are often at their highest.
“We aim to use this significant opportunity to highlight the value of rehoming from our charity and the valuable role World Horse Welfare companions play in being friends to horses and humans alike.
“When horse welfare is prioritised, equestrian sport such as eventing is such an extraordinary demonstration of the horse-human relationship and we look forward to seeing this in action during this year’s event.”
New initiative
World Horse Welfare patron and content creator Esme Higgs will also be launching a new initiative from the charity on Burghley’s Insights Stage during the event ahead of the charity’s centenary celebrations next year.
“World Horse Welfare has always been a charity close to my heart, but it wasn’t until I rehomed Duke that I truly experienced the transformative impact of their work,” said Esme.
“Through Duke, I have seen first-hand how their dedication changes horses’ lives for the better.
“He has brought immense joy to me, my family and my other horses and we are proud to honour World Horse Welfare’s promise of providing him with lifelong security.
“I am delighted that World Horse Welfare is celebrating its vital rescue and rehoming work as Charity of the Year at the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials and I hope the thousands of equestrians attending will visit the stand to discover whether they might find a new friend among the horses and ponies looking for a loving home.”
Image © Tim Wilkinson.
