The Defender Burghley Diaries: Episode 2

Sep 4, 2025

53 mins

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 atmosphere so unique. Plus, the team dig into the reversed track, the Trout Hatchery sting, and why this is shaping up to be one of the toughest Burghleys yet. Highlights include:

Piggy March leads after day one with MCS Maverick
David Doel and Galileo Nieuwmoed's personal best
Alex Bragg (28.4) and Will Rawlin (28.8) in the hunt
Tina Cook on the secrets to making the time
Meigs Rutherford's inside take from the stables
The reversed course and why Burghley always finds you out

Guests:

Tina Cook — Burghley legend with 10 top 10s
Lucy Jackson — Insight Stage host
Meigs Rutherford — groom to Cassie Sanger's Redfield Fyre
Diarm Byrne & Sam Watson — EquiRatings analysis and context

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.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast Instagram and Facebook. throughout the week for daily Burghley Diaries, behind-the-scenes access, and all the stories as they unfold at one of eventing's greatest stages.

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