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Inside Defender Burghley: Celebrating the Defender Burghley Magic with Tim Price & Piggy March

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Release Date: 08/29/2025

2025 Cornbury Preview Show show art 2025 Cornbury Preview Show

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Cornbury week is here, and the excitement rolls straight on from Defender Burghley. Nicole Brown is joined by Lucy Jackson, fresh from the Insight Stage at Burghley and heading into the commentary box at Cornbury, to preview one of the standout fixtures of the autumn calendar.  We cover everything from the star-studded entry lists to the Racehorse-to-Eventer Challenge Cup, plus the brilliant work of the Howden Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme. Expect plenty of names you’ll know, future stars you’ll want to watch, and a real sense of why Cornbury has become unmissable. Highlights...

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The Defender Bughley Diaries: Episode 6 show art The Defender Bughley Diaries: Episode 6

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

History was made on the final day at Defender Burghley as Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo defended their title, becoming the first pair ever to complete the “double double” — two Badminton wins and two Burghley wins. With a near 10-penalty margin, Walter showed why he belongs among the sport’s all-time greats. Nicole and Annie take you behind the scenes from a buzzing Burghley media centre, reflecting on Ros’s brilliance, the crowd’s reaction, and the stories that shaped an unforgettable week. From Ziggy running into her mum’s arms to Austin O’Connor’s podium for Ireland...

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 5 show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 5

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Cross-country day at Defender Burghley… what a rollercoaster. Horses were flying, riders were hanging on, and the crowd got the kind of day they came for. The EquiRatings team break down the numbers and what they mean going into the final day. Big climbs, tired legs, and plenty of stories — this was Defender Burghley at its best. Want to watch every moment? Subscribe to Burghley TV for exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access throughout the week. And for the latest updates, follow the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Instagram at @burghleyhorsetrials....

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: The Eventing Podcast Live Saturday from the Insights Stage show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: The Eventing Podcast Live Saturday from the Insights Stage

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

This bonus episode takes you inside the Eventing Podcast Live from the Insights Stage on Saturday, where Diarm, Annie, Lucy, and Sam broke it all down in front of the Defender Burghley crowd. From the stats to the storylines, it’s the full download on one of the toughest cross-country days we’ve seen in years. Highlights include: Why Ros and Graffalo’s round may go down as one of the greatest ever Clear rate stats that show just how tough Derek di Grazia’s track really was Harry Meade’s three rides and what they tell us about grit at the top level The heartbreak moments for...

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 4 show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 4

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

It’s cross-country morning at Defender Burghley and anticipation is sky-high. Annie, Ali, and Diarm break down the biggest storylines: the challenge of running the track in reverse, which speed horses could beat the time, and how experience may separate the contenders from the rest. With half the field typically falling short of a clear, today is set to be decisive in shaping the winner of Burghley 2025. Episode Chapters: Setting the scene: why Saturday decides Burghley Speed vs. stamina: which type of horse thrives here The “reverse” track and how riders are adapting Course designer...

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 3 show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 3

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Day 2 of dressage did not dissapoint. Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue dropped the best Irish test here in 25 years (!!), Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent kept the pressure bubbling, and Harry Meade had the most hairy warm-up disruption before somehow pulling it back together. Ros Canter? Cool as ever, reminding everyone why Walter is Walter. And yes, we’ve got the inside line on tomorrow with Dairy Mound stride debates and Trout Hatchery “what was Derek thinking?” moments. Burghley chaos, Burghley magic. All in a day. Listen to it here. Highlights: Best Irish Burghley dressage in...

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 2 show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 2

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Day one of dressage is in the books. From the Insight Stage to behind the scenes in the stables, Nicole Brown and the team bring you stories live from Defender Burghley. Piggy March and MCS Maverick set the early pace, David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed deliver a personal best, and Alex Bragg and Will Rawlin are close behind. But the leaderboard is only part of the story. You’ll hear Tina Cook on what it really takes to make the time at Burghley, Meigs Rutherford with the groom’s-eye view from Cassie Sanger’s Redfield Fyre, and Insight Stage host Lucy Jackson on what makes the Burghley...

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Inside Burghley TV with Nick Luck show art Inside Burghley TV with Nick Luck

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

The rain has fallen, the stage is set, and Burghley week is officially underway. Live from the Defender Lodge, Nicole Brown sits down with Nick Luck, the face of Burghley TV, to talk storms, storylines, and the thrill of live coverage. From juggling rain-soaked inspections to capturing those unfiltered moments with the sport’s biggest stars, Nick shares what makes Burghley TV unique. With access-all-areas behind the scenes and insight from a world-class commentary team, Burghley TV is ready to bring every stride, stumble, and success straight to your screen. Highlights include: The impact...

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The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 1 show art The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 1

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Burghley week is underway, the rain has fallen, and the stage is set. In the very first Defender Burghley Diary of 2025, Nicole Brown and Annie Bishop soak up the atmosphere on site, from an empty scoreboard waiting to be filled with history to the buzz of the trade stands as the park comes alive. They talk hopes, nerves, and early headlines, including Felix Vogg’s withdrawal, perfect footing predictions, and the pressure on Lordships Graffalo and Ros Canter as defending champions. Plus, Annie reveals her Eventing Manager 2.0 picks, and Nicole checks in with Baileys Horse Feeds, owners, and...

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Defender Burghley 2025 Preview Show show art Defender Burghley 2025 Preview Show

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Defender Burghley week is here. The fences are huge, the clock is merciless, and even the favourites can unravel. Burghley is where reputations are made. Nicole Brown is joined by a full house of experts to set the stage for one of the most anticipated five-stars of the season. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo bid to make history. Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent return to settle unfinished business. Harry Meade brings three chances to finally land his first five-star. Add in Tim Price with Vitali, David Doel with Galileo Nieuwmoed, Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, and a host of...

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More Episodes

Two former winners. Two Defender Burghley ambassadors. Two of the best in the sport. In this special Inside Burghley show, Nicole is joined by Tim Price and Piggy March to talk all things Defender Burghley - from VHS tapes in New Zealand to Mary King fan letters, from first-time nerves to winning moments.

Burghley is back, and these two know exactly what makes it the holy grail.

Episode Highlights

  • Burghley first impressions - Tim’s VHS tapes from New Zealand, Piggy’s childhood obsession with Mary King, and the awe of the Collesmore Leap.
  • First rides & first fears - Piggy’s 21-year-old debut in tears, Pippa Funnell’s pep talk, and Tim’s lessons on what makes a real Burghley horse.
  • The Burghley test - Terrain, time, and the unique stamina questions that make it unlike any other 5*.
  • Winning moments - Tim with Ringwood Skyboy, Piggy with Vanir Kamira, and what it really feels like to walk up Winners’ Avenue.
  • Burghley magic - From iconic fences to unforgettable mishaps (a false tooth mid-lap of honour, a bee down the shirt), Tim and Piggy share the stories that only Burghley can create.
  • Looking ahead to 2025 - Vitaly’s consistency, Piggy’s new ride MCS Maverick, and how the reversed track might shake things up this year.

Guests

  • Tim Price 
  • Piggy March 

Host

  • Nicole Brown

Want more insights, picks, and data-driven takes? Follow @equiratings_eventing on Instagram and Facebook for your ultimate eventing companion.