Of houses and horses

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials is the sporting event of the weekend. Kate Green provides a guide

- Kate Green

What is it? Britain’s second-oldest international horse trials (after Badminton), founded in 1961 by the 6th Marquess of Exeter, who was an Olympic gold medallist in hurdling. It is one of seven five-star (highestlevel) horse trials across the world, famed for its gracious backdrop, autumn sunshine (we hope) and challenging cross-country course, which offers spectacular viewing on undulating ground. Horse trials—or eventing, as it is known internationally—is the three-phase Olympic sport that encompasses dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

At Burghley, there is also Pony Club show jumping (Thursday) and the final of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse competition, a shop window for equine stars of the future (Friday). Many spectators, however, will barely look at a horse all weekend—the shopping is famously smart. As well as all things horsey, there is high-end art, clothing, jewellery, furniture and food.

Where is it? The Capability Brown landscaped grounds of Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, the 16th-century home built by William Cecil, Elizabeth I’s Lord High Treasurer. His descendant, Miranda Rock, an art historian, is now its custodian (