View this post on InstagramA post shared by Defender Burghley Horse Trials (@burghleyhorsetrials)The fall edition of the British 5* offerings is always a hotly contested event and what a class weve got at Defender Burghley Horse Trials this year. Theres competitors from ten nations, including World Champions, 5* winners, Olympians and the current World No 1, 2 and 3, all primed and ready to canter up the center line over the next two days. That doesnt include last years equine champ, Ballaghmor Class, who wont be defending his crown, although we do have his human counterpart, Oliver Townend, this time with Kentucky 5* winner Cooley Rosalent. Also in the field, and looking to set their sights on the Rolex Grand Slam should they take the win at Burghley, are Badminton winners Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier, and lets not forget, last year we saw the best ever Burghley dressage score put down by Tim Price and Vitali, whore making us wait til the very end of play tomorrow to see whether they can shave any more fractions off their record-breaking score. Seriously, the quality of the horses at the first horse inspection was just *chefs kiss* across the board and were in for a real treat over the next few days, thats for sure.First up today is Britains Harry Meade, whos a triple threat; hell get things underway this morning with the first of his three rides, Superstition, at 9:30am local time / 10:30am CET / 4:30am ET. If youre following the American camp, heres the times you need to know:Theres two to watch out for today (Thursday): Jennie Brannigan is first up for the US with FE Lifestyle they go at 9:07am ET. Mia Farley and OTTB Phelps have their turn at 10:34am ET.The rest of the US contingent will go tomorrow (Friday):Cosby Green and Copper Beach continue their European campaign at 4:37am ET.Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol H I M are over in England for the first time; they enter the Burghley Main Arena at 6:02am ET.Andrew McConnon and Wakita 54 will wrap the dressage up for the US at 9:30am ET.I could go through the field and pick out combinations of note but basically its all of them, so heres the full list of todays ride times for your perusal. If youre yearning for even more insight into the horse and rider stars wholl be taking on Burghley this year, then youre in need of ENs epic Form Guide, which youll find right here.As you know, here at EN were true eventing geeks, happily wearing our fingers down to bloody stumps in order to bring you all the content you can handle. This week weve got you covered with live blogs following every single step the runners and riders take in all three phases as well as our classic detailed reports of all the action each day. If your ears are firmly pricked towards the cross country, well be cluing you in on all the fences out there on the Burghley estate in our course preview and well be wrangling the riders to bring you the low-down on what they think of the fences theyll be facing when they leave the start box on Saturday watch out for Riders React, coming soon. Keep it locked on to EN and click here for all of our blood, sweat and tears go on fellow eventing nerds, you know you want to. As if that isnt enough, weve got great IG content happening too @goeventing.Ill be bringing you live updates from the Main Arena throughout the day, so keep this page refreshed and watch this space. If youre catching up with this later and are the type to like things in order, scroll and read . If going backwards is more your jam, have at it. Follow along with the live scores here.With all that said, and the bell imminent, lets kick on and enjoy all the glory that is Defender Burghley.Lock steady and go eventing!Defender Burghley: [Website] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Burghley TV] [Tickets] [ENs Coverage]ENs coverage of Defender Burghley is proudly presented by Kentucky Performance Products, your one-stop shop for science-backed nutritional support for every horse. Click here to learn more about KPP.________________________________________________________________________________6:02am ET Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise Dan has brought Blackthorn Cruise all the way through the levels from BE100 to their first 5* at Burghley in 2021. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Dan and Blackthorn cruise come down the Burghley center line and get off to a solid start with a 7.5, 7 and 6 for the first halt. They move off into trot and the scores stay up in the 7s in the initial part of the test. This horse looks very rideable and his trot work is very clean and balanced. All accurate thus far.The halt at C isnt quite square behind but pulls in an 8 from one of the judges. The reinbacks a smidge sticky for two 6.5s and a 7. This horse doesnt have the really big movement of some of the others well see which shows in the walk, but hes listening to Dan and trying for him. There could be more suppleness in the pirouette for higher marks but he looks happier as he goes into the canter section of the test.Blackthorn Cruise sure does look fit and hes doing a good job as he starts his canter movements. Theres a little blip in the first change but the others come up very accurately. They finish up with a great halt which scores an 8 and two 7s. Theres been a couple of tiny blips but overall this was a solid test and a good starting point for their competition.Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise score 33.2.________________________________________________________________________________5:54am ET Bella Innes Ker and Highway II Bella spent two seasons with William Fox-Pitt before setting up her own yard. Horses are in her her dad runs Floors Stud, a commercial Thoroughbred breeding operation, and her mom organized Floors Castle International Horse Trials. Highways been round Pau and Luhmhlen, picking up jumping penalties both times, so Bellall be gunning for a clear this time around. Shes already had a Burghley win this week, with the Fairfax & Favor best dressed prize at the first horse inspection. Photo by Eventing Nation.Todays Test:Bellas celebrating her 30th birthday with a trip round Burghley cross country, what a cool way to spend a special day. First though, dressage.They get off to a great start with two 7.5s for the first halt and the early trot work is impressive; its balanced and flowing and the marks show that with lots of 7s and 7.5. Theres a bit too much push in the extended and Highway thinks about breaking into canter, Bella holds him but the scores drop a little. Theyre quickly back on track though and the scores are back up into the 7.5s.A bit of a shame in the halt at C, Highway gets a bit tight and that affects the reinback too. They put that behind them and the walk is really very good with an 8 creeping into the scores. The pirouette is a little tight though and Highway looks happy to get into canter. Theres lots of quality on show in the canter work and Highways got a lovely expression on his face as he works with Bella. As they progress the tension creeps in though and is showing in the changes, with the scores dropping slightly for those movements.Overall this pair create a very nice picture together and they finish up with 7s across the board for the halt. A couple of mistakes today but nothing that some homework cant iron out. Theres clearly a lot to look forward to for Bella in this phase.Bella Innes Ker and Highway II score 38.6.________________________________________________________________________________ Nicole Mills and Fearless W5:47am ET 5* rookie combination, Nicole and Fred are making long-held dreams come true this week as they make their debut at the level. Nicoles a very local rider, based just two miles from the estate, so Fredll be familiar with the scent of the Burghley turf as he hoofs it round the track on Saturday.Todays Test:This horse is by Nick Skeltons Olympic show jumper, so weve got that to look forward to on Sunday. For now though, were focusing on the flat. They come super straight up the center line and the halt is very secure. Nicole has got her game face on as she takes on her first ever 5* test on a horse shes produced through the levels herself, such an achievement in itself no matter what happens. This is a lovely big rangy horse whos showing off very balanced trot work and pulling in 7s on the whole. This is a combination who are really working as a partnership and theyre being rewarded in the scores for lots of accurate work. The halt at C brings in a 7.5. The reinback is sound for 6.5s and a 6.The walk doesnt come as easily to this horse as the trot did; its a little tentative in places. They navigate the pirouettes very well though and there are 7s in the scores. They set off into canter and theres more lovely work on show. This pair may lack experience at the level but you sure cant tell that from whats going on in the ring. The changes are very clean with 7s coming in across the board for the first one. Nicoles riding very accurately and Fred is being very rideable and answering all her questions; their partnership is clear for all to see. What a great start to their Burghley. Theres a big cheer from her local crowd at the end of their test and Nicole looks thrilled with Fred. Chills going on for this pair; a proud moment for Nicole and a job very well done.Nicole Mills and Fearless W score 32.6.________________________________________________________________________________5:39am ET Emma Hyslop-Webb and Jeweetwel Theres been some discussion in team EN on how this guys name is pronounced Dyou eat well??? Its this 10-year-olds first time at the level and he sure was excited to get going at the horse inspection, taking off towards the cross country while Emma held on tight. Dressage first Huey, sorry, thems the rules.Todays Test:Getting us restated after the break, Emma and Huey are ready to get their Burghley started. They canter up the center line and dribble slightly into the halt but move off cleanly into trot and immediately start pulling in scores in the 7s. This is a young horse but, boy, is he showing potential in the ring this morning. He scores an 8 for his extended trot. Hes a very good moving horse and looks to be very rideable. The halt at C is excellent and is rewarded with 8s across the board. The reinback is slightly sticky though.Theres a bit of tension in the walk work, the horses head has come up and hes rushing a bit. Emma tries to bring him back but he shortens up in the neck rather than just slowing down. Shes got everything in order by the pirouettes though and the marks move back up into the 7s.The tension continues slightly in the canter work. Hueys looking around and has hollowed a bit which is affecting the marks; theyre consistently in the 6s though. The change is muddled and the scores take a big dive, but the second one is clean and clear and theres a 7 for that. The final halt is a bit messy for 4s and a 4.5 This test started off really well with so much potential on show and this is obviously a very exciting horse for the future. Emma Hyslop-Webb and Jeweetwel score 37.7.________________________________________________________________________________Were heading into a short break now. Back in just over 15 minutes, at 5:39am ET.________________________________________________________________________________5:15am ET Aaron Miller and Friendship VDL Aaron also has Tomatillo in his string, a clone of William Fox-Pitts 2004 Badminton winner Tamarillo. Hes at Burghley with 5* first-timer Friendship VHL off the back of three top-10 finishes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Well be heading into a short break after Aarons test.This pair look very smart as they make their way around the ring waiting for the bell. They come dead straight up the center line but then step to the side slightly in the halt which results in two 5s and a 7 from the judges. This horse really does have a lovely way of going, hes so striking and his trot work is very elevated and fancy. There are lots of very nice scores coming in for the early work 7s and 7.5s on the whole.Friendship seems to be very confident in his work and Aarons riding very accurately, key ingredients for good scores in the first phase. Theres a slight bobble in the halt at C but the reinback is clean. The walk work isnt quite so big as the trot and the scores drop into the 6s sometimes, but everything is very relaxed and horse and rider look to be happy in whats going on in the Burghley Main Arena.They set off into canter and pull in an 8 and 7.5s for the extended. This really is an impressive test and this is a horse who has proven he can climb the leaderboard after the jumping phases. What an exciting prospect for Aaron. The changes arent consistent, a little blip in one but the next is very good and the third is a little muddled. Theres a step off the center line in the final halt but overall this has been a very nice test to watch with the horse showing all of his potential and a rider wholl be very pleased with his efforts.Aaron Miller and Friendship VDL score 33.________________________________________________________________________________5:07am ET Susie Berry and Irene Leva Susie relocated from Ireland to England in 2014 when she went to work for one of her eventing idols, Piggy March (you guessed it, her other hero is Pippa Funnell). Shes here with two rides, first up 5* debutant Irene Leva.Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Oh, this pair get off to an unfortunate start with a little stumble as they come up the center line, which is reflected in the judges marks. Susie quickly gets things back together though and the young mare settles nicely into the trot work to pull in scores in the 7s on the whole.The halt at C isnt square, but they hold the immobility and the reinback comes up clean enough for 6s across the board. Irene Leva looks to be nicely relaxed in the early walk work with Susie keeping things quiet and the first pirouette is marked really well with 7s in the scores. This is such an elegant horse and shes really trying for Susie, theyve obviously got a very good partnership. They set off into a balanced canter and the scores stay up in the 7s overall. That is until the changes; Tina Cook in the commentary box call them enthusiastic. They come up so quickly and Irene Levas just finding things a lot; theres 2s across the board for the final change as the horse looks up into the judges box. Overall though, theres been lots to like in this test and this is obviously a very exciting horse for the future.Susie Berry and Irene Leva score 40.3.________________________________________________________________________________5am ET Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2 Gaspard had other sporting dreams, before eventing he wanted to play rugby however I didnt really have the size and when the other players started to think I was the ball, it was time for me to change sports!. Rugbys loss is for sure eventings gain, Gaspard! Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Gaspards berets are a wonder to behold at horse inspections, and he didnt disappoint yesterday, going hard down the matchy-matchy route with a purple hat, bowtie, jacket and loafers. Suits you, sir! Hes back in his riding helmet for today though.They enter the ring and get off to a sound start. Kan-Dos not the biggest of movers in this phase but hes working nicely for Gaspard in the early trot work with scores in the 6s and 7s coming in. Theyre slightly short of the center line for the halt at C and its not quite square, but the reinback is good. They set off into walk and Kan-Do has a nice way of going and pulls in an 8. He begins to get a little tense as it goes on though and the gelding rushes a little towards the end of the walk movements. He settles a bit better as he moves off into canter.This is a long horse for Gaspard to manage in the dressage ring and the changes are a bit of a problem. Quite a bit of tension comes into the half-pass, his head comes up and Gaspard has to bring him back; the scores are 2s and 3s for that movement.Overall this horse has really tried for Gaspard and he finishes off nicely with 7s across the board for the final halt. For sure theyre looking forward to the cross country.Gaspard Maksud and Kan-Do 2 score 41.6.________________________________________________________________________________4:52am ET Matthew Heath and Golden RecipeNew kid on the block Golden Recipe AKA Elmo will be here for an educational run on his debut at the level, but hes got a lot of blood and is a gutsy lil guy so itll be cool to see him get his teeth into the meaty track on Saturday and perhaps make a bid for a leaderboard climb Todays Test:In case youre wondering what pirouettes are doing in the 5* test, were seeing the new C test at Burghley this year. If you want to follow along with the movements, heres the test sheet.Elmo lost his balance slightly in the first halt and it takes him a little while to settle into the test. The scores improve as they progress in the trot work. The halt at C is much better and the reinback comes up cleanly for two 7s and a 6 from the judges.Elmos really quite settled in the walk, impressive considering he wont have been in this big of an atmosphere before, given its his first time at the level. Matts cautious in the pirouettes but Elmo performs the turn; the marks drop though. They set off into canter and Elmo seems to let the tension get to him. He kicks out against Matts leg in the change; all the changes are difficult as Elmos got a bit tight and the scores drop quite significantly.Elmo seems to be getting buzzier as the test goes on. Its 5s across the board for the final halt as Elmo shimmies off the center line. Hes obviously a sensitive horse, Matts not wearing spurs, so for a first time at 5*, this was a solid start with a bunch of experience banked.Matthew Heath and Golden Recipe score 43.7.________________________________________________________________________________4:45am ET Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick Pippa was the first (and only in the long format) winner of the Rolex Grand Slam shes also been awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for her services to equestrianism and is a childrens author and video game star. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Pippas got her game face on as she enters the ring. This is another rider wholl perhaps be glad of the early draw meaning the crowd isnt as big as itll be later on in the day.The early work is very settled and there are lots of scores in the 7s coming in. They halt slightly short of the center line but its clean and the reinback is equally sound for 7s across the board. A little tension creeps into the walk work and Pippa uses all of her experience in the pirouettes, asking for a soft turn rather than really going for the big marks. It works though and Maverick is doing a lovely job and is really trying for Pippa.They set off into the canter work and the scores are back up into the 7s with some 8s. They continue to be rewarded throughout the canter and the final halt is given a 9. Pippa smiles and looks very happy with that test, as so she should; it was a real example of a partnership between horse and rider.Pippa Funnell and MCS Maverick score 28.3.________________________________________________________________________________4:37am ET Ros Canter and Izilot DHI Isaac is known to be spooky and Ros sometimes has to ghostbust as they gallop round the cross country. He sure is a talent though, and became a 5* winner on his debut at the level at Pau last year. Photo by Tilly Berendt.Todays Test:Isaac showed off his spooky side at yesterdays horse inspection, but it looks as though Ros has got things under wraps today. The early draw will have helped to limit the atmosphere in the Main Arena, so itll be interesting to see how he gets on in there. He sure looks like a smart customer as he trots round the ring waiting for the bell.Isaacs not quite square in the initial halt but he moves off beautifully, so bouncy and athletic. Hes certainly looking around a little but hes trying really hard for Ros. Theres such quality to his movement, hes pulling in 8s for the early lateral work in trot and gets a 9 for the half-pass. Ros rides the halt at C really cleverly and there are 9s in the scores for that. She gives Isaac a hot second before the reinback which is very clean for two 7.5s and a 7.The walk work is quiet and Ros really is riding superbly, of course. The pirouettes are neat and tidy and then theyre off into a beautifully balanced canter. There are 8s and a few 9s coming in for the canter work. Isaacs making the changes look very easy, and we all know theyre not. He goes to look up but Ros is right there every single second, holding his hand and making things happen. Overall this has been a fine display of horsemanship from Ros and pure talent from Isaac.And we have a sub-20 score for our second horse of the competition. Wow.I should say that scores are provisional as they come in. Ill update them as theyre confirmed.Ros Canter and Izilot DHI score 19.8.Ros was absolutely thrilled following her test. She talked to ENs boots on the ground, Tilly Berendt:Ive been practicing since Luhmuhlen, having him a little bit more in self-carriage and lighter. Hes obviously always been quite spooky, and so Ive kind of gone for the safety option of having him very secure and doesnt show him at his best. So since Luhmuhlen, Ive been really trying to let him dance like he can and, yeah, I think were nearly there, like, theres more to come. I think definitely more to come. ________________________________________________________________________________4:30am ET Harry Meade and Superstition In 2009 Harry became the youngest person ever to receive an Armada Dish for 5 Badminton completions. Hes at Burghley triple-handed, first up Superstition, whos got a hat-trick of 5* top-10 finishes in the States under his cinch, will he add a British one to his record? Photo by Abby Powell.Todays Test:Its on everyones lips at the horse inspection and one of the hottest talking points of the day what color will Harrys pants be? Well I can inform you that he was resplendent in royal blue as he jogged up the strip with Slinky. But that was yesterday; today hes getting the whole shebang underway for us and this pair look mighty fine as they take to the ring.Slinky really settles in nicely and is performing like a real pro in there. Hes clearly listening to Harry and theyre pulling in scores in the 7s on the whole after bit of a mixed start. They halt square at C but he doesnt really hold the immobility which affects the reinback two 5s and a 6 for that movement.Slinkys playing a little with the contact through the walk work and then shows his disapproval of the pirouette movement hes a bit sticky in both. Hes happier once they set out into canter and is rewarded with three 7s for a very clean first change. Theres a bit of tension showing up in the connection but Harrys happy with the third change and smiles as it comes up very nicely. The changes really have been a highlight in this test. Slinky swings his quarters off the center line in the final halt, but overall this has been a clear round for them. Perhaps a little ring rusty on the horses part, obviously not Harrys, but a sound start to their competition and to Burghley.Harry Meade and Superstition score 32.4.After his test, Harry talked about how hes prepared Slinky for today:Hes a lovely little athletic horse, and I deliberately came up 10 minutes before my test, very short warm up, and went in and actually only brought him here yesterday. He did a light gallop at home, and then came up in time for the horse inspection, and then this was the first time hes been ridden here. So just very much trying to just keep it normal for him, not sort of over-pressurizing him with a big occasion.________________________________________________________________________________