A STRONG field of entries for the Defender Burghley Horse Trials (September 4th-7th) is headed by 2024 champions and Paris Olympic British team gold medallists Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo.

Canter recently announced her second pregnancy and confirmed she is out of contention for the eventing European Championships at Blenheim Palace (September 18th-22nd) but is still listed as an entry for Burghley.

The Lincolnshire pair produced the best-ever finishing score - 26.6 - last autumn, and took their second MARS Badminton title in May, making them clear favourites for back-to-back Burghley victories.

Fifty-nine combinations from eight nations are represented. Ireland’s hopes will be pinned on four-time Olympian and 2023 Maryland five-star winner Austin O’Connor and the legendary Colorado Blue, as well as 2024 Badminton runner-up and Burghley debutante Lucy Latta who rides RCA Patron Saint for Lesley Crampton.

Other Irish entries include Olympians Susie Berry and Clever Trick, Padraig McCarthy and MGH Mr Messack, Joseph Murphy with both Belline Fighting Spirit and Calmaro and O’Connor takes a second ride this year in Sixmilewater.

Other top contenders include New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali, runners-up in 2024 and fresh from an impressive victory in Aachen in July. Tim won Burghley in 2018 and is striving to reach the top of the podium once more on what will be his 20th Burghley start. Meanwhile, no-one is hungrier for a first CCI5* triumph than Britain’s Harry Meade. Harry became world number one earlier this summer following excellent results at Burghley last year, where he finished third, fourth and 12th on his three rides, as well as in the spring CCI5*s Kentucky and Badminton.

Harry is once again planning to ride three horses at Defender Burghley - Annaghmore Valoner (ISH), Cavalier Crystal (ISH) and Et Hop Du Matz.

Piggy March (GBR) will be back at Burghley for the first time since her 2022 success, this time with new ride MCS Maverick.

According to Irish statistics company EquiRatings, it is the second-highest rated field in the past 10 years. They predict Ros Canter as having the highest win probability (51%), followed by Emily King (14%) and Tim Price (11%). Austin O’Connor is given the fourth highest win probability (4%) in their early predictions. Defender Burghley entries were due to close yesterday, August 15th, and the draw will take place early next week.