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With a £40,000 first prize, Burghley will feature a 31-fence course, with 20 new fences, designed by Captain Mark Phillips who is welcomed back to the Event as Course Designer. Of the course, which this year follows a different route around the park, Captain Phillips has said: “Burghley’s track is, as ever, big and technical. Those that do well and take home the Land Rover prize money will know they will be worthy contenders for next year’s World Equestrian Games in Aachen.”

Countries from across the globe are represented with riders from 10 nations competing and 79 entries, with 17 riders who will be experiencing Burghley for the first time.

Among the entries are the winners of the last three Burghley titles: Andrew Hoy (AUS) returns to defend his crown; and British Teammates, Pippa Funnell (Burghley Winner, 2003) (Editor's Note: Pippa Funnell withdrew her remaining two entries, Ensign and Walk On Star, on Friday, August 26th. Pippa'ssuper star, Primmore's Pride, the 2005 Badminton winner, was not himself at Gatcombe last month, incurring refusals on the Cross Country, and is under veterinary treatment. Pippa has been removed from the British Team for the European Championships at Blenhein, the weekend following Burghley, and will ride as an individual. She has been replaced in the team by Zara Phillips and Toytown, who will be making their Senior Team debut. Zara will join Leslie Law and Coup de Coeur, who placed third at Rolex-Kentucky last spring; Polly Stockton and Tom Quigley and William Fox-Pitt in the team.). and William Fox-Pitt (Burghley Winner, 2002) are in close contention. Fellow Brit and Olympic Gold Medallist, Leslie Law, is competing on Shear L'Eau, a proven dynamic duo and winning formula. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) won Burghley in 2000, coming 2nd in 2001 and will surely be keeping one eye on the new trophy. Nicholson rode Mr Smiffy on both these occasions but can he win again with another rider - John Paul Sheffield?

The Event will be the last four star Horse Trials in the UK to incorporate Roads & Tracks and Steeplechase phases, which have traditionally been run prior to competitors embarking on the Cross Country phase. The passing of this format into Eventing history is a significant moment for competitors and traditionalists. Held in some of the most beautiful areas of Burghley's parkland, these phases have offered spectators moments of serenity and a chance to enjoy the competition surrounded by acres of Capability Brown's perfected scenery.

Although Burghley will mark the passing of the traditional format, it will also play host to the finals of a new innovation within the sport. The Premier League is a rider league table that has run through the major British events of the season, with William Fox-Pitt being the front runner.

Event Director, Elizabeth Inman, has said of this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials “The quality of this year’s entry is in keeping with the standing of the Event as one of the top two in the World. We are looking forward to welcoming all our visitors to four days of excitement at this year’s Event.”

For those interested in watching the Show Jumping on Sunday, please note that tickets are still available for the South Stand but all other tickets are sold out! So book now to avoid disappointment – it is highly unlikely that Sunday show jumping tickets will be available for purchase on the day.

Editor's Note: Amy Barrington (USA) has been forced to withdraw Platinum as he failed a blood test necessary for entry into the UK.

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FROM LAST TO FIRST?

Winsome Adante, the 12 year old horse ridden by American Kim Severson, is currently the last horse in the alphabetical list of foreign entries appearing on the website for this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (1-4 September) but the bay gelding must surely be one of the prime contenders to spoil the chances of a home win for the British in 2005.

Kim, one of the most successful American riders of her generation, has never actually competed at Burghley before, despite having entered on a number of previous occasions. The combination of Kim and Winsome Adante, “Dan”, have won the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event three times in the last four years (’02, ’04, & ’05). This is an unprecedented achievement. Kim also won the Individual Silver in Athens and by doing so, helped the team to Bronze. (Kim and Winsome Adante are pictured at the right jumping onto the Island in the Perrier Water at the Millbrook Horse Trials , their last prep for Burghley.)

Only two Americans have won Burghley since its inception in 1961, Bruce Davidson in 1974 – whose son Buck will also be representing the USA in this year’s field - and Stephen Bradley, in 1993.

Kim heads the field of 15 first time riders which includes Imtiaz Anees from India and Harry Meade, son of Olympic Gold Medallist, Richard Meade.

The strong entry list includes Athens Olympic Gold Medallist, Leslie Law, Athens Silver medallist Kim Severson and the winners of the 2004 and 2002 Burghley Horse Trials, Andrew Hoy (AUS) and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) respectively.