It was purely by chance that the Burghley Horse Trials started in 1961 because there was due to be a three-day event at Harewood House. However, that was cancelled due to a suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. When the Marquess of Exeter heard this he invited the British Horse Society to move the event to his estate and the rest, as they say, is history!
First ever Burghley Horse Trials – 1961
