Inside Defender Burghley: Celebrating the Defender Burghley Magic with Tim Price & Piggy March
Two former winners. Two Defender Burghley ambassadors. Two of the best in the sport. In this special Inside Burghley show, Nicole is joined by Tim Price and Piggy March to talk all things Defender Burghley - from VHS tapes in New Zealand to Mary King fan letters, from first-time nerves to winning moments. Burghley is back, and these two know exactly what makes it the holy grail. Episode Highlights Burghley first impressions - Tim’s VHS tapes from New Zealand, Piggy’s childhood obsession with Mary King, and the awe of the Collesmore Leap. First rides & first fears - Piggy’s 21-year-old debut in tears, Pippa Funnell’s pep talk, and Tim’s lessons on what makes a real Burghley horse. The Burghley test - Terrain, time, and the unique stamina questions that make it unlike any other 5*. Winning moments - Tim with Ringwood Skyboy, Piggy with Vanir Kamira, and what it really feels like to walk up Winners’ Avenue. Burghley magic - From iconic fences to unforgettable mishaps (a false tooth mid-lap of honour, a bee down the shirt), Tim and Piggy share the stories that only Burghley can create. Looking ahead to 2025 - Vitaly’s consistency, Piggy’s new ride MCS Maverick, and how the reversed track might shake things up this year. Guests Tim Price Piggy March Host Nicole Brown Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing on Instagram and Facebook for your ultimate eventing companion. Â
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Inside Defender Burghley: Derek di Grazia & Martyn Johnson on Final Preparations
In this Inside Defender Burghley bonus episode, Nicole Brown visits the venue just three weeks before Defender Burghley Horse Trials kicks off for 2025. Event Director Martyn Johnson and Course Designer Derek di Grazia share exclusive insights on final preparations, from reversing the track direction for the first time since 2017 to reimagining iconic features like the Trout Hatchery. Episode Highlights Three Weeks to Go: Why this is crunch time for the Burghley team. A New Direction: How reversing the course changes the challenges for riders. Design Secrets: The small details — from tree placement to car positioning — that shape the way fences ride. Heritage Meets Innovation: Keeping legendary features like Lionbridge, the Leaf Pit, and Defender Valley fresh while showcasing sponsors. Fence to Watch: The revamped Trout Hatchery at the seven-minute mark. Ground Game: How the team is delivering top-class going despite a dry summer. Guests Martyn Johnson – Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials Derek di Grazia – International Course Designer, Burghley Burghley Horse Trials Host Nicole Brown Check out the Burghley website here. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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Defender Burghley 2025 Preview Show
Defender Burghley week is here. The fences are huge, the clock is merciless, and even the favourites can unravel. Burghley is where reputations are made. Nicole Brown is joined by a full house of experts to set the stage for one of the most anticipated five-stars of the season. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo bid to make history. Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent return to settle unfinished business. Harry Meade brings three chances to finally land his first five-star. Add in Tim Price with Vitali, David Doel with Galileo Nieuwmoed, Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, and a host of international challengers, and you’ve got a Burghley that could produce fireworks in every phase. Highlights include: Why Graffalo could cement his place among the all-time greats The challenge of the reversed cross-country track and what it means for stamina Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent: redemption or repeat heartbreak? Harry Meade’s triple attack and the horse most likely to deliver his first five-star win Tim Price and Vitali: brilliance in the dressage, questions on the final day The outsiders who could climb their way into history Guests joining Nicole Brown: Catherine Austen — Burghley Press Officer with insider perspective Annie Bishop — journalist and host of the US Equestrian Open podcast Spike Milligan — equine vet with expert analysis Diarm Byrne — EquiRatings co-founder with the numbers behind the predictions Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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Inside Defender Burghley: The Entries Reaction Show
Nicole Brown and Sam Watson dive straight into the newly announced Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025 entry list — and the stories behind the names. With the course running in reverse for the first time since 2017 and an elite field taking shape, they discuss the contenders, the challenges, and the drama that could unfold. Episode Highlights: The reversed Burghley track and how it could make time even tougher. Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo’s huge Prediction Centre win chance — and the Badminton/Burghley double on the line. Vitali’s brilliance, Tim Price’s resilience, and the quest for a Burghley win. Colorado Blue’s stamina strengths and Ireland’s hopes. Harry Meade’s triple challenge and quest for a first 5* victory. Exciting returning and debuting combinations to watch. Guests: Nicole Brown – Host of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast. Sam Watson – International event rider, analyst, and EquiRatings co-founder. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 3
Day 2 of dressage did not dissapoint. Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue dropped the best Irish test here in 25 years (!!), Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent kept the pressure bubbling, and Harry Meade had the most hairy warm-up disruption before somehow pulling it back together. Ros Canter? Cool as ever, reminding everyone why Walter is Walter. And yes, we’ve got the inside line on tomorrow with Dairy Mound stride debates and Trout Hatchery “what was Derek thinking?” moments. Burghley chaos, Burghley magic. All in a day. Listen to it here. Highlights: Best Irish Burghley dressage in 25 years — how it happened and what it sets up First-Burghley nerves vs. plans: producing a homegrown five-star horse Why tiny warm-up disruptions can cost big in the ring Snaffle switch that paid off, plus real talk on rideability and relaxation Course intel: Dairy Mound stride calls, Trout Hatchery flow, Leaf Pit accuracy, and where the time vanishes Who actually looks fast enough to make it — and who needs Sunday to land it Guests: Austin O’Connor — Olympic medalist for Ireland Cassie Sanger — U.S. five-star debutant Ros Canter — World Champion and defending Burghley winner Oliver Townend — Olympic gold medalist and five-star regular Tim Price — Five-star winner and former World No.1 Sam Lissington — New Zealand five-star rider Emma Thomas — British five-star rider Pete Cattell — Long-time owner and supporter Ali Barrett — EquiRatings team Annie Bishop — journalist & US Equestrian Open podcast host Alex Bragg — British five-star rider Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Instagram and Facebook. throughout the week for daily Burghley Diaries, behind-the-scenes access, and all the stories as they unfold at one of eventing’s greatest stages. Â
The Eventing Podcast squad bring you on a weekly, data-fuelled journey through the world of eventing. Previews, reviews and analysis - all supported by EquiRatings' data.
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