The dressage times for the first phase of the 2025 Defender Burghley Horse Trials have been released, with competition starting at 10am on Thursday, 4 September, and continuing on Friday, 5 September. The ground jury includes Andrew Bennie (president), Christina Klingspor, and Valerie Pride. Notable riders include Harry Meade, who opens the event with Et Hop Du Matz at 10am Thursday and closes Friday with Annaghmore Valoner at 3.55pm. Other leading contenders scheduled include Tom Jackson, David Doel, Piggy March, Tim Price, Oliver Townend, Emily King, and Ros Canter.
Additionally, Grace Cooper will perform as the guinea pig rider at 9.30am Thursday to help the ground jury and event systems prepare, though she is not competing. Horse & Hound offers ongoing coverage and detailed analysis of Burghley and other major events through subscriptions, including a special 20-page magazine report in the 11 September issue featuring insights from six-time Burghley winner William Fox-Pitt.
