Who’s the Burghley pathfinder and when does Zara Tindall start? Five-star draw released plus one withdrawal

The full Defender Burghley Horse Trials draw for next week’s event (30 August–3 September) has been released – and Harry Meade will be the pathfinder.

Harry will pilot either the experienced Away Cruising or the five-star first-timer Red Kite in the trailblazer spot and will also be last to go on either Red Kite or Tenareze, who impressed at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in June on his five-star cross-country debut. The rider has four horses entered for the event (the fourth is Cavalier Crystal, who will start as number 33 if she runs) and can only start on three of them, with that final choice still to be made.

Oliver Townend is the other rider who will pilot three horses round Burghley this year – he too currently has four in the mix and will be second to go on either Tregilder or Cooley Rosalent and the penultimate competitor on either Cooley Rosalent or Burghley specialist Ballaghmor Class. Oliver’s other potential ride is Swallow Springs, who will start as number 35 if he makes the final cut

Among the favourites, Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser start near the end of the field at number 66, while last year’s winner Piggy March sports number 42 this year as she competes on Brookfield Inocent.

Zara Tindall has an early position in the Burghley Horse Trials draw. She is number 12 on Class Affair.

The new European champion Ros Canter will also have Thursday dressage as she is number 18 on Pencos Crown Jewel.

Among the prominent Burghley debutants, Emily King (Valmy Biats) is number 15, Greta Mason (Cooley For Sure) immediately after her at number 16 and amateur Lauren Innes (Global Fision M) is number 21.

Lauren Lillywhite (née Yallop) has double-entered her two horses so she starts on either Billy Beaufort (number 50) or Hacien (number 51).

Numbers up to 72 have been allocated, but there is a maximum starting field of 65 once the double-entered horses have been taken into account. Bubby Upton has withdrawn her two horses, Cola – 14th here last year – and Bramham Horse Trials under-25 champion Magic Roundabout IV.

Full draw

You might also be interested in:

First look at the Burghley cross-country course – check out photos of Kitty King walking the track

Five-time Burghley winner among the commentators for this year’s event

How to watch Burghley Horse Trials live in 2024: your complete guide

Former winners, European champion and Zara Tindall head up Burghley entries

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.