No 2021 Five-Stars As Burghley Cancels Again

The event director explains why this year’s horse trials could not run, as Dublin Horse Show also cancels

- Lucy Elder

Britain has lost both CCI5* events for a second year as Covid uncertainty and no available pandemic insurance forced Burghley Horse Trials to cancel.

Organisers of the event (2–5 September) said on 8 May there “have been and remain too many variables and uncertainties owing to the pandemic to deliver this much-loved international event”.

Burghley director Elizabeth Inman told H&H the costs and set-up of the event made the financial risk unviable.

“All events start from a different perspective about their basic infrastructure, whether they have permanent facilities or, as we are, a greenfield site, and that alters cost significantly,” she said, adding costs would be “well in excess of £1m” to set up to run, even behind closed doors.

“Under FEI rules, there are minimum prize money requirements, TV costs are significant, as are costs before you even start on a greenfield site – there are a lot of extras when it comes to running a five-star that would be different to many other events. Added to which, Burghley Horse Trials is owned by the Burghley Estate, which comes under the overarching body of the Burghley House Preservation Trust that has charitable status.”