The team at Burghley Horse Trials is in discussions with UK Sport about hosting the FEI Eventing World Championships in 2026.
The Stamford venue, famous for its annual autumn event (31 August- 3 September, 2023), has held the World Championships twice before, in 1966 and 1974. It has also hosted six European Championships and one Young Riders European Championship.
Event Director Martyn Johnson said hosting the championships would further improve the venue, help British teams secure medals and inspire future equestrian stars
“Burghley is synonymous with the pinnacle of the sport of eventing,” he said. “Hosting the FEI World Championships in 2026 would bring huge benefits to Burghley and the local community. It would also focus our longer-term vision for the event as we continue to invest in upgrading the permanent infrastructures for athletes and horses to improve further a world-class venue.
“As we experienced with the London 2012 Olympics, the legacy of a British World Championships would not only help our British teams win medals for years to come but also provide inspiration, opportunities and facilities for the next generation of equestrian stars through our associations with the Pony Club and grassroots riders.”
The FEI Eventing World Championships is held every four years. In 2022, Britain’s Yasmin Ingham took the individual gold medal at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, riding Banzai Du Loir. In 2018, Britain won team gold at Tryon, USA and Lincolnshire’s Ros Canter won individual gold riding Allstar B. Zara Tindall also won the individual title at the 2006 World Championships in Aachen, Germany, on Toytown.
The bid process for the 2026 FEI Eventing World Championships is open, and will conclude by June.
Lead image of Wills Oakden and Oughterard Cooley at Burghley Horse Trials 2022. Credit/copyright: Trevor Holt
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