The Defender Burghley Review Show with Ros Canter

Welcome to the Europeans Preview Show, presented by Connoly's Red Mills. Blenheim Palace takes centre stage, the ground could be influential, and all eyes are on London 52 vs. fisherChipmunk. JL Dublin is right there too, with Germany lining up Michael Jung alongside some newer championship names. Add in team tactics, pathfinder debates, and a bit of Eventing Manager strategy, and the stage is set for a proper championship. Highlights Conditions first: Likely good-to-soft. Softer ground = closer dressage scores, cross-country time expensive. The big three: London 52, fisherChipmunk, JL Dublin. Different routes here, same pressure to deliver on Saturday. Team chess: Brits still the benchmark. Germany strong behind Jung, bronze very much alive for Ireland, France, Switzerland. Profiles that travel: Susie Berry/Clever Trick and Pádraig McCarthy/Pomp and Circumstance both suited to a grafty Blenheim track. One to watch: Bubby Upton with It’s Cooley Time—reliable jumper, efficient pace, podium potential if conditions bite. Guests Nicole Brown – host Sam Watson – rider and analyst Diarm Byrne – EquiRatings co-founder Spike "the spicy vet" Milligan – equine vet and podcast regular Eventing Manager 2.0 is live for the Europeans. Pick your five-horse team with a 10 million budget, score points across all three phases, and compete in public or private leagues. It’s free to play—just head to manager.equiratings.com and get your team locked in before the first dressage test. EquiRatings Eventing PodcastFollow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2025 season on Instagram and Facebook. A big thank you to Connolly’s Red Mills, Carr & Day & Martin and Foran Equine for supporting our European Championships coverage. From fueling top-level horses to backing the sport, they’re a huge part of the eventing community. 👉 Find out more at redmills.com

Burghley is in the books, Cornbury has wrapped, and the Agria European Championships at Blenheim Palace are around the corner. Perfect timing to lift the lid on a big push behind the scenes. Nicole sits down with BETF chair Sian Rodway and British Eventing’s Rosie Williams to unpack the British Eventing Training Foundation’s new officials campaign, why it matters for safety and fairness, and how anyone from fence judges to future course designers can climb a clear pathway. Nicole gives us a Stats Centre update, and we finish with a masterclass segment from Philip Surl and Alec Lochore on the TA and course designer partnership, control tents, and what “gold standard” really looks like on the ground. Episode Highlights Why a dedicated training foundation safeguards education when budgets get tight What the new officials pathway actually is and how you get on it The roles explained in plain English: stewards, TAs, scorers, controllers, fence judges Training the trainers and testing under pressure so standards stay high Fundraising targets, course walks with legends, and how to get involved Season check-in: Cornbury, Agria European Championships, and the young horse pipeline Guests Nicole Brown, host Sian Rodway, Chair, British Eventing Training Foundation Rosie Williams, Chief Executive, British Eventing Philip Surl, British Eventing Technical Advisor Alec Lochore, International Course Designer and Technical Delegate Check out the BE Stats Centre here. Follow @britisheventing on Instagram to stay up to date with all the action.  Want to find out more about BETF? Visit their webpage here. Eventing Manager 2.0 is live! 🎉 Pick your dream team at manager.equiratings.com, lock them in before dressage Thursday, and you could win a free British Eventing membership. Play free, bragging rights included. EquiRatings Eventing PodcastFollow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2025 season on Instagram and Facebook.        

There’s no better way to wrap up Inside Defender Burghley 2025 than with the champion herself. Ros Canter joins Nicole Brown to look back on a history-making week with Lordships Graffalo, who now sits in the record books as the only horse to win both Badminton and Burghley twice. Ros talks through her build-up to the event, balancing pregnancy and preparation, and what helped her to deliver one of the best performances of her career. From handling Walter’s freshness in the dressage to the cross-country round that not only made the time but earned the Avebury Trophy for best judged ride, she shares exactly what it felt like from the saddle. They chat about Walter’s fitness programme, how Ros has built a system that works, and why his consistency makes him so hard to beat. There’s also insight into her first time combining riding with coaching at five-star, the mental focus needed to deliver under pressure, and what comes next as she looks ahead to 2026 while preparing for baby number two. A truly inspiring episode with an incredible human. Episode Highlights The build-up to Burghley with pregnancy in the mix Walter’s freshness in the first phase and a 22.4 dressage score Tackling the reversed track and the cross-country round of the week Fitness work, training systems and what makes Walter so special Coaching Cassie Sanger at her first Burghley The mindset and mental toughness behind back-to-back wins Caroline Moore’s legacy and what the future looks like for Ros and Walter Guests Rosalind Canter - Olympic gold medalist, multiple five-star winner, and now back-to-back Burghley champion with Lordships Graffalo 📲 Stay Connected Thanks for joining us for the Inside Burghley series. The eventing season rolls on with Blenheim, Boekelo, Pau, Maryland 5 Star and the US Equestrian Open, and we’ll be bringing you all the action right here on the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast. Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2025 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Today, it’s all about forage. With grass disappearing fast and hay supplies under pressure, Spike and Louise talk about why forage is the foundation of every horse’s diet, how to work out what your horse is really getting, and what to do if shortages bite this winter. They also dive into one of the most common yard debates: balancers vs. complete feeds, and why a handful of chaff and a balancer might not be enough for horses in proper work. Episode Highlights Forage under pressure: why shortages are a real concern this winter. Spotting what’s missing: practical ways to assess intake and condition. Planning ahead: tips to stretch supplies, reduce waste, and use safe alternatives. Balancers vs. complete feeds: what each really provides and when they work. Feeding myths debunked: from “protein panic” to the fear of feeding too much. Guests Spike the Vet Louise Jones, Connolly’s Red Mills 📲 Stay Connected This episode is brought to you by Connolly’s Red Mills. For expert advice, forage analysis, and feeding support, visit redmills.com or connect with their nutrition team directly. Proud partners of the podcast, Red Mills are here to help you feed your horse with confidence.

Cornbury week is here, and the excitement rolls straight on from Defender Burghley. Nicole Brown is joined by Lucy Jackson, fresh from the Insight Stage at Burghley and heading into the commentary box at Cornbury, to preview one of the standout fixtures of the autumn calendar.  We cover everything from the star-studded entry lists to the Racehorse-to-Eventer Challenge Cup, plus the brilliant work of the Howden Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme. Expect plenty of names you’ll know, future stars you’ll want to watch, and a real sense of why Cornbury has become unmissable. Highlights include: Cornbury form guide: who’s primed to shine and what makes the week special Racehorse-to-Eventer Challenge Cup: prize fund, ex-racers to follow, and why it matters The Howden Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme: how riders can sign up and benefit Ones to watch: Clark Johnstone (Sparky Lad), Piggy March (Our Old Fella), Oliver Townend’s sharp new TB, plus Tom McEwen, Laura Collett, Bubby Upton, and more Young talent spotlight: rising names in the Young Rider 3* and the six- & seven-year-olds with Le Lion on the horizon What to expect from the Cornbury livestream, parade, and on-site experience Guests in this episode: Lucy Jackson — five-star rider, coach & Cornbury livestream commentator Nicole Brown — host

History was made on the final day at Defender Burghley as Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo defended their title, becoming the first pair ever to complete the “double double” — two Badminton wins and two Burghley wins. With a near 10-penalty margin, Walter showed why he belongs among the sport’s all-time greats. Nicole and Annie take you behind the scenes from a buzzing Burghley media centre, reflecting on Ros’s brilliance, the crowd’s reaction, and the stories that shaped an unforgettable week. From Ziggy running into her mum’s arms to Austin O’Connor’s podium for Ireland and Harry Meade’s incredible trio inside the top 10, this is Burghley magic at its best. Highlights include: Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo — the historic “double double” Austin O’Connor ends Ireland’s 60-year Burghley podium wait Harry Meade’s rollercoaster week with three horses in the top 10 Sam Watson’s clear on Ballyneety Rocketman and the EquiRatings grind behind the scenes Sam Lissington shines with first-timer Billy Alberto The magic that makes Defender Burghley unlike any other five-star Guests in this episode: Sam Lissington — first-time Burghley rider with Billy Alberto Annie Bishop — Journalist & US Equestrian Open podcast host Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Instagram and Facebook. throughout the week for daily Burghley Diaries, behind-the-scenes access, and all the stories as they unfold at one of eventing’s greatest stages.

Cross-country day at Defender Burghley… what a rollercoaster. Horses were flying, riders were hanging on, and the crowd got the kind of day they came for. The EquiRatings team break down the numbers and what they mean going into the final day. Big climbs, tired legs, and plenty of stories — this was Defender Burghley at its best. Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Instagram and Facebook. throughout the week for daily Burghley Diaries, behind-the-scenes access, and all the stories as they unfold at one of eventing’s greatest stages.  

This bonus episode takes you inside the Eventing Podcast Live from the Insights Stage on Saturday, where Diarm, Annie, Lucy, and Sam broke it all down in front of the Defender Burghley crowd. From the stats to the storylines, it’s the full download on one of the toughest cross-country days we’ve seen in years. Highlights include: Why Ros and Graffalo’s round may go down as one of the greatest ever Clear rate stats that show just how tough Derek di Grazia’s track really was Harry Meade’s three rides and what they tell us about grit at the top level The heartbreak moments for Oliver Townend, David Doel, and Lucy Latta Irish and New Zealand standouts: Austin O’Connor and Tim Price proving class What history says about overnight leaders heading into the final day Guests in this episode: Diarm Byrne — EquiRatings co-founder Annie Bishop — Journalist & US Equestrian Open podcast host Lucy Jackson — Insight Stage host and five-star rider Sam Watson — Five-star rider and EquiRatings co-founder Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials. EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Instagram and Facebook. throughout the week for daily Burghley Diaries, behind-the-scenes access, and all the stories as they unfold at one of eventing’s greatest stages.

Two former winners. Two Defender Burghley ambassadors. Two of the best in the sport. In this special Inside Burghley show, Nicole is joined by Tim Price and Piggy March to talk all things Defender Burghley - from VHS tapes in New Zealand to Mary King fan letters, from first-time nerves to winning moments. Burghley is back, and these two know exactly what makes it the holy grail. Episode Highlights Burghley first impressions - Tim’s VHS tapes from New Zealand, Piggy’s childhood obsession with Mary King, and the awe of the Collesmore Leap. First rides & first fears - Piggy’s 21-year-old debut in tears, Pippa Funnell’s pep talk, and Tim’s lessons on what makes a real Burghley horse. The Burghley test - Terrain, time, and the unique stamina questions that make it unlike any other 5*. Winning moments - Tim with Ringwood Skyboy, Piggy with Vanir Kamira, and what it really feels like to walk up Winners’ Avenue. Burghley magic - From iconic fences to unforgettable mishaps (a false tooth mid-lap of honour, a bee down the shirt), Tim and Piggy share the stories that only Burghley can create. Looking ahead to 2025 - Vitaly’s consistency, Piggy’s new ride MCS Maverick, and how the reversed track might shake things up this year. Guests Tim Price  Piggy March  Host Nicole Brown Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing on Instagram and Facebook for your ultimate eventing companion.  

In this Inside Defender Burghley bonus episode, Nicole Brown visits the venue just three weeks before Defender Burghley Horse Trials kicks off for 2025. Event Director Martyn Johnson and Course Designer Derek di Grazia share exclusive insights on final preparations, from reversing the track direction for the first time since 2017 to reimagining iconic features like the Trout Hatchery. Episode Highlights Three Weeks to Go: Why this is crunch time for the Burghley team. A New Direction: How reversing the course changes the challenges for riders. Design Secrets: The small details — from tree placement to car positioning — that shape the way fences ride. Heritage Meets Innovation: Keeping legendary features like Lionbridge, the Leaf Pit, and Defender Valley fresh while showcasing sponsors. Fence to Watch: The revamped Trout Hatchery at the seven-minute mark. Ground Game: How the team is delivering top-class going despite a dry summer. Guests Martyn Johnson – Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials Derek di Grazia – International Course Designer, Burghley Burghley Horse Trials Host Nicole Brown Check out the Burghley website here. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.