'There's a new energy at Burghley'

The British autumn five-star sets the standard

- Mark Phillips

I FIRST rode at Burghley in 1963, on the Beaufort team in the Pony Club horse trials championships. Slightly irritatingly, we were beaten by the West Norfolk!

I returned in 1966 to watch the World Championships and rode Rock On to be fourth in 1967, while my team-mate Jane Holderness-Roddam (née Bullen) won team gold at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Such is the inspiration of Burghley.

For the first time since I started designing here in 1989, there is a new air of enthusiasm and friendliness, under Martyn Johnson in his second year as director and with Tim Henson in his first as chairman.

Most importantly, they have the support of the estate, the like of which I have not seen for a generation. How wonderful it would be if the World Championships could come back to this energetic new team in 2026, after 60 years.