Who has been to Burghley as a spectator?

[DLee]

And was it fabulous? Is it indeed the most "proper" Horse Trials of all? We're thinking about going. :D

[snoopy]

And was it fabulous? Is it indeed the most "proper" Horse Trials of all? We're thinking about going. :D


ah many times...though I do not understand "the most proper horse trials of all" comment.

[His Greyness]

I have been to both Badminton and Burghley several times. As an editorial comment I will say that, since the demise of the long format, neither are "proper" horse trials. However, both are worth going to as a spectator, but be prepared for crowds. If money is no object, sign up well ahead of time for membership or alternatively for reserved seating for stadium and dressage, if you are interested.

I would not suggest that Burghley is better (or worse) than Badminton. There are subtle differences depending on what you like. Last night I was looking at the videotapes I took at Burghley in 2003 when it was a real three-day with steeplechase. I went to Badminton in 2005 for its last long format incarnation.

So if you have the chance to go to one or the other, or both, take it.

[broodmare]

the shopping, the eating, the people watching, the whole nine yards. I don't know if it is still true but the year I went, the jog strip was poured rubber, which really flumoxed me because you couldn't hear the footfalls.
The pony club matrons (all in tweed) participated from the stands during the jogs, expressing their disapointment with horses or vets with waves of disaproval, and murmers, sighs sometimes almost hissing. It was a hoot.
Very chatty generous spectators. I was almost plastered sharing tailgate picnics out on course.
Kept getting lost in the trade fair it was so big. I know dogs are sort of out of fashion at events because of the irresponsible owner thing, but I felt under accesorized without one.
you will have such a great time. Bring or even better buy raingear.

[DLee]

ah many times...though I do not understand "the most proper horse trials of all" comment.

This was said to me at this Rolex by the Dubarry guy. We had a great conversation as he was headed to Badminton next (with 24 employees and a full bar as opposed to 'only' beer and champagne at Rolex!) and he told us a great deal about both Badminton and Burghley from his point of view. From what I gather Badminton sounded like a great party (especially as a vendor) where as Burghley was more proper (he also mentioned the tweeds). Either way, it made me want to go to either of them more than I already did!

[Blugal]

I did Burghley '08, aka the mud fest. It was great. Also have been to Badminton in 2000 & 2005 and am heading there tomorrow at 6:30am... They are both good, a little different - I'd say there are more crowds at Badminton, but the lack of crowds at Burghley could have been due to the mud!

The shopping.... oh the shopping. Absolute heaven (and I usually don't have funds to buy much either). Not just clothes and tack, but trailers and country stuff and jumps (!), anything you could think of.

This time around I have to find the really good food! (According to JER I've been missing out.)

[luise]

Which has better shopping?

[snoopy]

Which has better shopping?


Definitely Burghley!!! It is the last major shopping venue (although blenheim follows burghley but does not have the same in terms of trade fair). I never buy at Badminton as the vendours have the whole of the season ahead of them and they do not like to haggle. Burghley though....you can talk the skin of a snake's back!!! The vendours do not want to haul everything back as well as deal with inventory over winter.
My bank manager used to dread "Burghley-Time"


On another note, I cannot ever remember going to burghley and not have the weather be fantastic. September is historically a sunny month in the UK. Now if we are talking rain, cold, sun, heat, mud, drought etc...well badminton has seen it all!! Badminton gets very wet because the deer park is FLAT and it does not take much rain to turn everything into MUD. Burghley is much more hilly and generally holds up well with a bit of rain.

[Blugal]

Well, '08 was unusual... the summer of rain (rainiest in about 100 years or so they said!). The XC held up quite well, but the vendor/shopping area... not so much. I have a pic with mud going past my ankles in my wellies ;)

[FarrierPrincess]

Went there in 1987.
Was actually there on a Farrier Cultural Exchange.
What a dream come true for a Novice New-bee eventer and budding farrier! I even got to reset a lost shoe on Mark Todd's horse! All this in the shadows of a castle so grand Napoleon promised it to his beloved Josephine when he conquered Britian!

[tuppysmom]

I've been there as a groom and spectator. It was the best of times and the worst of times. Can't wait to go again, with a better outcome, of course.

The trade fair is indiscribable. Where else would you see home furnishings at a horse event. I mean, washing machines, kitchen tables, and couches. Fine men's clothing and ladies fancies, children's outdoor play equipment, and how about the beer gardens?! Food, really good food,(maybe I was just really hungry), to go with the beer. I would guess that if it is made in Britain you can buy it at Burghley. There was also plenty of horsey shopping.

The trade fair covers many acres and you need to pay attention to the map, or you'll end up a long ways from where you think you are. The gents have their walking sticks and families have the tailgating going full out.

I have to say that I love the UK. I love the way that they have saved all the valuable farmland for farming and have the villages built on the steep, rocky, unfarmable land! You would never guess that there are 60 million,or so, people living an area roughly the size of WY. The vistas are amazing. I love the roundabouts, (except for "the spider" ), and how the traffic never needs to stop. The narrow roads give me reason to believe that we in the US waste a lot of money building wider and wider roads. I love how everyone parks with 2 wheels on the sidewalk and everyone is OK with that. I love the B&Bs and the "full English breakfast". You'll want to fill up because there is little food available between 10 am and 6 pm. Fast food is all but unheard of, it's walk in, sit down, and wait. Have a local beer and enjoy.

It is awe inspiring to walk where the Romans walked.

I could go on and on, but if you go see more than the event grounds.

[KateR]

My OH and I were lucky enough to go to Burghley in 2004. Being from Australia, we were absolutely blown away by everything - the venue, the crowds, the number of top level competitors, the trade stands especially, over here a trade fair at an event would be lucky to have 25 stalls! After watching all the videos of events, it was amazing to see it in person, plus a lot hillier than it looks on tv, Capability's Cutting is really steep. Also agree with the person above who said you feel underdressed without a dog, hardly anyone there doesn't have one.

[Meshach]

I have been to both Burghley and Badminton and I preferred Burghley but mostly because I like the town and surrounding area better. We stayed in Peterborough and then took the train to Stamford (which is a very cute village) and then walked from the train station to the horse trials. Very easy.

I liked both trade fairs but didn't buy much at either (what's wrong with me? :) Lots of food vendors at Burghley! The weather was fantastic.

[FairWeather]

bumping this up to find out where folks recommend staying for Burghley?

and where it's easiest to fly into?

[eventrider]

I am going this fall for the first time and I am really excited! I will look at where we are staying. We are going for a week and I can't wait!!!!

Christan

[FairWeather]

thanks!! i'm geeked at the possibility of going :)

[colliemom]

thanks!! i'm geeked at the possibility of going :)

Sorry, can't help you since we stayed with my sister who was living in England at the time, and drove there from her house.

You will absolutely love it!!! Truly magnificent venue and event. Jealous!!!

[Meshach]

We stayed in Peterborough and took the train to Stamford. Within walking distance to and from train stations.

[Foxygrl516]

*currently knocking on wood like crazy* but we are planning on going to Burghley this year as spectators! :D I am SO excited! I'm just hoping that everything stays on track between now and then and nothing goes wrong before we get on the plane. You know how horses can be though... ;)

Assuming all goes well, tell me how to pack! We'll be in England for 3-4 wks from the last week in August until the week after Blenheim (which is the week after Burghley). I'm assuming it'll be cooler there that time of year than it is here (especially here in AL).? Long sleeves or polos? I'm sure I'll pack both, but what will I need most? I'll be packing as carefully as possible. I think I count as part of the horse's luggage, so I shouldn't be bringing much for myself. haha :)