Record Crowds at 50th Burghley Horse Trials

Record spectators and a Royal visit from Princess Anne helped one of the most prestigious horse competitive events in the UK celebrate its 50th birthday. Close to 100,000 visitors flocked to the grounds of Burghley House during the first weekend of September to watch the 50th running of the Burghley Horse Trials.

The three-day event is widely viewed as one of the leading horse event competitions in the world and this year celebrated its 50th anniversary. The competition includes dressage, show-jumping and cross country riding and attracts international and UK based riders.

Helping the 50th anniversary celebrations be an event to remember was the appearance of Princess Anne who won the Burghley event forty years ago. Princess Anne was in attendance to watch recently married daughter Zara Phillips compete and then presented trophies to the winning riders.

The 2011 Burghley Horse Trials event was won by Britain’s William Fox-Pitt. Riding Parklane Hawk, Pitt became the first six-time winner at Burghley. Zara Phillips completed the event in tenth place.

Event spokeswoman Bridget Jennings commented: “we have had record crowds all weekend, which has been fantastic...It has been an amazing competition, with a brilliant and challenging cross country course designed by Captain Phillips on Saturday. It was good to see all the competitors complete the course in good time.”

In addition to the huge number of spectators, many exhibitors attended the event. Exhibitors included Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horses. The renowned rocking horse makers commented that they “thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic 50th birthday celebrations at Burghley over the weekend.”