EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight are your 2026 Defender Burghley champions, and they did it in some style.
Nicole, Diarm and Ali are back to debrief a brilliant weekend of sport, from Gemma's record-breaking performance and Katie Magee's superb second place to the stories, surprises and standout performances across the leaderboard.
Plus, the HPRs land mid-recording, giving us the first chance to put some numbers around what we just watched.
Highlights
Gemma and Chilli Knight finishing on their dressage score and joining Burghley's 1% Club
Putting that huge winning margin into context
How Katie Magee and Treworra climbed from 19th after dressage to second
The HPRs are in, and we find out how Gemma's performance stacks up against the other big five-star performances of 2026
Global Quest, Hawk Eye and the combinations who exceeded expectations
The moments that completely changed the shape of the competition
A very deserved Nicola Wilson appreciation moment
Guests
Nicole Brown
Nicole looks back at the performances, people and stories that made Burghley 2026 one to remember.
Diarm Byrne
Diarm gets into the numbers and what they tell us about how this year's Burghley was won and lost.
Ali Barrett
Ali brings the freshly landed HPRs, her standout performances and plenty from a busy week on the ground at Burghley.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Saturday at Burghley was everything we thought it might be, and then some. 🎙️
Nicole, D and Ali settle in with a Pimms and an incredible Burghley sunset to unpack a rollercoaster of a cross-country day. Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight are out in front with a rail in hand, Tim Price and Global Quest deliver a hugely emotional round, and Holly Richardson rockets from 28th to third after one of the performances of the day.
There's plenty more to unpack, from Caroline Pamukcu proving the Blake doubters wrong to the heartbreak of Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro, plus Andrew Hoy and Derek di Grazia get unexpectedly pulled into the debrief along the way.
Highlights
Gemma and Chilli Knight take control
The incredible Global Quest story
Holly Richardson's 25-place climb
HSH Blake proves he's a Burghley horse
Heartbreak for Sarah and Corimiro
Derek's verdict on his cross-country day
Who wins Burghley tomorrow?
🎧 Defender Burghley Diaries: Saturday is out now.

We're live from the Media Centre at Defender Burghley! Diarmuid Byrne is joined by Catherine Austen and Ali Barrett to preview the wide open field. From Holly Richardson's speed, to crushes on Will Coleman, and naming Lucy Latta the Pirate Queen, this episode has it all.

🎥 Watch every moment on Burghley TV: exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access all week.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
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Friday at Burghley and the dressage is done.
Nicole is live from the Insights Stage with Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne and EquiRatings analyst Ali Barrett to unpack two days of dressage that didn't quite play out as anyone expected. Nadja Minder and 19-year-old Toblerone are still out in front, the judging has everyone talking and there is everything still to play for.
Then the leaders join us. Nadja Minder, Gemma Stevens and Tim Price take their places on the sofa to talk about their horses, their tests and what it feels like to head out of the dressage phase sitting first, second and third at Burghley. There's plenty of cross-country chat too, as they give us the rider's view of Derek di Grazia's track.
And to finish, we go straight to the man who built it. Derek di Grazia gives us his take on the course, the ground, that 11 minute 20 second optimum time and just how many combinations he'd like to see beat the clock. Spoiler: he isn't giving much away.
Highlights
Nadja Minder makes Burghley history
The dressage judging debate
Sam, D and Ali break down the leaderboard
Nadja, Gemma and Tim join us live
The riders give their verdict on the cross-country
Derek di Grazia has the final word
Guests
Nadja Minder Burghley dressage leader with Toblerone.
Gemma Stevens Sitting second with Chilli Knight after dressage.
Tim Price Former Burghley winner and third with Falco.
Derek di Grazia Defender Burghley cross-country course designer.
🎥 Watch every moment on Burghley TV: exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access all week.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
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Thursday at Burghley and the competition is officially underway. 🎙️
The first day of dressage has given us plenty to talk about. The judging is tough, the good scores are being seriously earned and Nadja Minder has thrown down the early marker with her five-star PB. But at Burghley, we all know Thursday is only the beginning of the story.
Sam Watson joins us to talk Saturday, why this year's track could flow better and just how many combinations might actually beat that famous Burghley clock. Plus, with Eventing Manager officially locked in, we find out who everyone is backing.
We head around the showground too, catching up with Marcus Fairfax Fountaine at Fairfax & Favor before finding Tom McEwen at Equine America, fresh from World Championship gold and with 19-year-old Toledo de Kerser back at Burghley.
And we finish with Lucy Jackson, a glass of rosé and a proper Thursday debrief. Who impressed, who could shake things up on Friday and who does Lucy think will be leading heading into Saturday?
Highlights
Nadja Minder sets the early Burghley standard
Sam Watson makes his Saturday time prediction
The biggest Eventing Manager picks
A trip to Fairfax & Favor
Tom McEwen and the return of Toledo de Kerser
Lucy Jackson's Thursday dressage debrief
Who leads heading into cross country?
Guests
Sam Watson EquiRatings co-founder, stats man and Burghley competitor.
Marcus Fairfax Fountaine Co-founder of Fairfax & Favor.
Tom McEwen World Champion and Olympic medallist.
Lucy Jackson Five-star rider, commentator and Burghley Insights Stage host.
🎥 Watch every moment on Burghley TV: exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access all week.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.