Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is in discussions with UK Sport about accessing funding to host the FEI Eventing World Championships in 2026.
The Lincolnshire event—one of just seven five-star international horse trials in the world and one of the best-attended sporting fixtures in the UK—has held the World Championships twice before; in 1966 and 1974. It has also hosted six European Championships (1962, 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, and 1997) and one Young Riders European Championship (1978).
Land Rover Burghley is globally renowned for its stunning setting in the grounds of the historic Burghley House outside Stamford, England, and for the outstanding level of equestrian sport it delivers at its annual autumn event, this year being held Aug. 31—Sept. 3.
Event Director Martyn Johnson said: “Burghley is synonymous with the pinnacle of the sport of eventing. Hosting the FEI World Championships in 2026 would bring huge benefits to Burghley and the local community. It would also focus our longer term vision for the event as we continue to invest in upgrading the permanent infrastructures for athletes and horses to improve further a world-class venue.
“As we experienced with the London 2012 Olympics, the legacy of a British World Championships would not only help our British teams win medals for years to come but also provide inspiration, opportunities and facilities for the next generation of equestrian stars through our associations with the Pony Club and grassroots riders," he added.
The FEI Eventing World Championships is held every four years. In 2022, Britain’s Yasmin Ingham took the individual gold medal in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, riding Banzai Du Loir. In 2018, Britain won team gold in Tryon, North Carolina, and Britain's Ros Canter won individual gold riding Allstar B. Zara Tindall also won the individual title at the 2006 World Championships in Aachen, Germany, on Toytown.
The bid process for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships is open, and will conclude by June.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.
While we all attend the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event for the competition, the next best thing about the event is definitely the shopping! The USEA is excited to be back on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park for the competition this year and to debut some all-new apparel items for the 2025 season. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect to see at our booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, this year.
They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.
Will you be at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Are you a member of the USEA Adult Rider Program? Then you will not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to join cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia on a walk of the CCI5*-L cross-country course. The USEA-hosted event will take place at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 24.