The 2011 Burghley Horse Trials

The 1st of September will see a town in Lincolnshire, England come alive with horses from all over the country. Stamford plays host to the annual Burghley horse trials at the stately home of Burghley. This is a four day equestrian event over three stages.

The Burghley is held in the park surrounding Burghley House. The house dates back to Elizabethan times and provides a stately backdrop for all the events taking place during the Burghley Horse Trials.

Burghley's first event is Dressage. This takes place on Thursday and Friday. The horse's agility and rhythm are rated during this event. The judges look for harmony between the horse and rider.

The second event is Cross Country. This will take place on Saturday, September 3. Riders will take their horses on a course which has fences and other obstacles for the horses to jump. These fences and obstacles have different heights and widths. This event tests speed and stamina.

Riders who want to ride on the Cross Country track without competing can take part in the Burghley Sponsored Ride on Sunday, September 4. This ride is approximately 10 kilometres. Riders are able to ride on part of the Cross Country track and other tracks in Burghley Park that are usually closed to riders.

Burghley attendees who want to look at the Cross Country course will have an opportunity to do so on Thursday, September 1. Visitors can take a Cross Country Walk. This is a guided tour of the course. The guide will speak about the course and the Cross Country event. The tour takes visitors on a path close to the Cross Country track. Pedestrians are not allowed on the track.

The final event at Burghley is Show Jumping on Sunday. Participants in this event are judged on how skilfully they jump over fences. The obedience of the horses is also judged in this event.

Owners of the winning horses in the events will receive cash prizes. The first place winner will receive 50,000 and the 20th place winner will receive 1200. Land Rover will present the Land Rover Perpetual Challenge Trophy to the owner of the winning horse. The top rider will receive 5000.

Attendees at the Burghley Horse Trials will find plenty to do during the weekend. A shopping village, pavilions and food stalls will be on the grounds of Burghley House during the Burghley.

A variety of merchandise will be offered in the shopping village. There will be trade stands from industry favourites like Dodson and Horrell. Clothing will be available at D.V. Townend & Co. and DM Clothing. Specialty shops will include The Present Finder and The Biggest Blanket Company.

Shoppers will find more goods for sale at the pavilions. The Horse Village will have more than 30 exhibitors with new products. The merchants in The Burghley Life Style Pavilion will offer items for the home. The exhibits at the World of the Horse will focus on equestrian themes.

There will be a variety of food at the food stalls for sampling and purchasing. Some of the food stalls will have items from Bedazzled Cupcakes, Coffee Tyme, Curry Sauce Company, The Fabulous Smoothes Company and Strawberry Fayre.

People who want to watch horses compete, socialize and spend time in a beautiful setting will have a great time at the Burghley Horse Trials