SOUL OF SPORT: Beauty personified at the Burghley Horse Trials

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SOUL OF SPORT: Beauty and skill personified as horses and riders steal the show at the Burghley Horse Trials. ANDY HOOPER captured all the action as the world’s greatest five-star equestrian event got underway

  • The Burghley Horse Trials returned to Peterborough over the weekend as sunshine started September
  • ANDY HOOPER was in attendance to capture the best of the action as rider’s competed for top honours
  • The event is recognised as one of the biggest horse competitions in the world as an 80 riders compete

Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER travelled to Peterborough for the Burghley Horse Trials.

The event dates back to 1961 and only came about for the first time all those years ago after another horse show was cancelled and the Marquess of Exeter invited it to be staged at his grounds instead.

Today, an average of 80 of the best riders in the world compete for a prize fund of over £300,000 as they attempt to navigate themselves and their horses through a series of battling obstacles.

Supporters lined every piece of grass, concrete and bridge that they could get to in the majestic Burghley grounds as a show of elegance, poise and athleticism was put on for all to behold.

Our man captured the best moments using a Nikon Z9 camera used with 24-70mm lens, 70-200MM Lens and 400mm lens.

Pipa Funnell riding Majas Hope across the lake at Burghley during the cross county trials in front of marvelling onlookers

The iconic Burghley House bridge is flooded with spectators while a horse and its rider showcase majestic skill through water

Just a thin few pieces of almost invisible wire separate these onlookers and a horse as it glides over the sun-drenched grass

From turf to trench as this hors jumps over a fence and plunges its two front legs into the water beneath

A fish, a horse and a Land Rover defender. It’s not the punchline of a joke but is an impressive sight to behold

One of the smaller animals on show as a puppy is held  by its owner – there were more dogs than horses at Burghley

A majestic thoroughbred sails elegantly over a terrifying jump as rider and horse replicate each other’s body shape 

September has started unusually hot and this spectator took some time out from the all-action horse jumping to rest and relax

A magnificent black and white horse and its rider stand to attention in one of Burghley’s fields while spectators walk on

This grey horse blends into its surroundings as rider and animal maintain precision focus and calmness

There is a sense of calmness out on the water as horse and rider stride through the depths of one of Burghley’s lakes

Burghley house is reflected in the pristine shimmering waters that just show a slight ripple. This beautiful setting has been staging what is one of the world’s greatest horse competitions for 60 years

Dogs on one side off the fence look beggingly up at their owners who enjoy some food and a drink

Riders wait patiently for their turn and exchange words before the Shetland pony Grand National gets underway

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