EquiRatings Eventing Podcast

The Inside Burghley series returns for 2026, and this first episode goes behind the scenes at one of the sport's most iconic events.
Nicole Brown heads to Burghley HQ in Stamford to sit down with Event Director Martyn Johnson and get a look at what it really takes to build a five-star. From the day after one event finishes to planning years ahead, this is a full-time operation, shaped by feedback, detail, and constant evolution.
They talk through what's been happening over the winter, how the team balances tradition with change, and what's new for 2026, including a significant shift to the showground layout designed to bring the event closer together while protecting the parkland that makes Burghley so special.
There's also a look at how the event continues to evolve for fans, from the on-site experience and Burghley TV, to masterclasses, hospitality, and ways to make more of the week.
Highlights
Inside Burghley HQ and what happens year-round behind the scenes
Customer experience, feedback, and how the event continues to evolve
Major 2026 site changes and what they mean for the showground
Balancing tradition with future-proofing the event
Masterclasses, fan experience, and new ideas in the works
What the next few months look like in the build-up to September
Guests
Martyn Johnson — Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials
🎥 Watch every moment on Burghley TV: exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access all week.
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:
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There is nothing quite like the Monday morning after a five-star, and this one had plenty to talk about.
Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, fresh from Kentucky, to bring the raw reaction to a weekend that felt special from start to finish. From a dressage leaderboard packed tighter than usual, to a cross-country day that looked one way early and then quickly showed its teeth, this was a five-star that kept unfolding.
At the centre of it all, Will Coleman and Diabolo. A first five-star win, delivered across all three phases, and a performance that answered the biggest question mark coming into the week. Around them, the story kept shifting, big names in the mix, time penalties creeping in, and opportunities taken and missed.
They break down how it played out, the moments that mattered, and why this Kentucky felt like more than just another result.
Highlights
Will Coleman and Diabolo deliver a first five-star win
A dressage phase that kept the field tightly packed
Cross-country day, how it unfolded and where it changed
Harry Meade and the reminder of how tough five-star time really is
Standout performances from Galileo Nieuwmoed, HSH Blake, and more
The atmosphere, emotion, and energy across the week
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings Founder and Executive Director
Annie Bishop — US eventing analyst and regular contributor
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Diarmuid Byrne, Annie Bishop, and Spike the Vet live on Friday night, as dressage wraps up and the leaderboard looks wide open going into cross-country day. With no dominant force in the field, up to 12 combinations could still win - from the leading Kiwis to Tom McEwen and the strength in depth just behind.
They break down a more intense cross-country track, a tighter time, and why the winning score could land around 30 - setting up a Sunday where everything could change.

Check out the Defender Kentucky Fan Guide: https://equiratings.info/kentucky5l2026
Highlights
Friday Night Lights: live from Kentucky
Why this is one of the most open five-stars in years
Up to 12 contenders heading into cross-country
The Kiwi leaders — and the pressure to finish
Cross-country demands and time pressure
Why Sunday could see a major shake-up
Guests Diarmuid Byrne, Annie Bishop, Spike the Vet
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Defender Kentucky might be one of the most iconic stops in the sport, but this year's five-star feels wide open.
Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, with Spike the Vet calling in from Heathrow on his way to Kentucky, to preview a field with only one previous winner, leaving the door open for there for someone new to step up. From Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality at the top of the market, to Boyd Martin and Commando 3 leading the US charge, to Will Coleman's Diabolo bringing one of the most exciting profiles in the field, this is a line-up full of depth and questions.
There's also a cameo from British Eventing Performance Manager Dickie Waygood, adding to the build-up as the team heads out, and giving a snapshot of just how much this week matters.
They look at how Kentucky might play out across all three phases, from the demands of Derek di Grazia's cross-country track to the influence of show jumping on the final day, and where this year's result could be decided.
Highlights
Spike the Vet calls in from Heathrow as the team travels out
A cameo from Dickie Waygood in the Kentucky build-up
Why this year's Kentucky feels more open than recent renewals
Tom McEwen, Boyd Martin, and Will Coleman, the key contenders
Cross-country demands, time, and how the track might ride
Show jumping trends and what it could take to win
Guests
Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings Founder and Executive Director
Annie Bishop — US eventing analyst and regular contributor
Spike the Vet — FEI team vet with decades of championship experience
Dickie Waygood — British Eventing Performance Manager
EquiRatings Eventing Podcast
Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Eventing Manager meets Kentucky… and yes, you will change your team at least three times.
This one kicks off with a live call to Will Coleman, straight from the build-up, giving a quick insight into Diabolo ahead of his five-star debut, before things quickly spiral into team picks, swaps, and second guesses.
From squeezing big names into the budget to convincing yourself your value pick is about to have the week of its life, this is exactly what playing Eventing Manager looks like at a five-star.
You'll have a plan. You'll ignore it. You'll build a new one. And then you'll watch it all play out.
Set your team. Regret nothing. Play now at manager.equiratings.com