Former international event rider William Fox-Pitt will make his Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final judging debut when the competition takes place on Friday 5 September 2025.
The six-times Defender Burghley champion will assess ‘potential for gallop’ for the top 10 finalists in both the four- and five-year-old sections.
He will be joined by top-level ground jury member Harry Payne and renowned young horse producer Judy Bradwell, who will assess the dressage.
Multiple Olympic, World and European eventing medallist Bettina Hoy, and former eventer, trainer and course-designer Ian Stark, will evaluate the jumping, while vet Fred Barrelet will judge suitability and type.
Boost for prize money
There is further good news for the competition as Dubarry of Ireland, the event’s title sponsor for the last 17 years, has increased the prize money pot for 2025.
First prize in both the five-year-old championships and the four-year-old final will be £1,500, with the total prize fund being £8,000.
“We are delighted that Dubarry are continuing to support these celebrated championships,” said event director Martyn Johnson.
“While the CCI5* at Burghley shows the world what the very best and most experienced horses and riders can do, the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Finals showcase our future champions and are very important for breeders, riders and owners.”
New qualifiers
There will be 18 qualifiers for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final across Britain and Ireland in 2025. The first will take place at Osberton on Thursday 1 May.
Belsay and Wellington will both host qualifiers for the first time this year.
“We are thrilled to be extending our long-standing partnership with Burghley through our continued sponsorship of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Series,” said Charlotte Strange, brand manager of Dubarry of Ireland.
“Each year we see both new and returning riders to the series, where we are proud of the dedication to the development of young event horses and Dubarry’s commitment to the equestrian community.”
View the full list of qualifiers here
Main image of Piggy March and Quantum March © DBHT/Peter Nixon.
