Burghley Pony Club ODE 2026

Burghley Pony Club ODE 2026

That pinnacle time of year has come around again, when pony clubbers from far and wide get the rare opportunity to run on prestigious grounds and experience the grasslands of many world-class eventers, brushing through the famous Holland Cooper Leaf Pit. A true showstopper that has been pencilled into the diary since the beginning of the year, this sell-out event never disappoints.

PHPC members Poppy Lowe, Poppy Ashton, Emily Clarke and Isabelle Eldridge were all competing in the 80 section.

With early times on the cards, a 5am alarm was very much the order of the day!

The ponies — Squish, Charlie, Marty and Sprite — were immaculately turned out, sporting beautifully plaited manes and ready for the first phase:

Poppy Ashton & Charlie

The first pair to enter the dressage arena after an extremely early 4am start — dedication at its finest! They produced a great little test for 35 marks. A fairly quick turnaround into the showjumping saw a couple of minor faults, before swiftly heading out onto XC.

Charlie wasn’t too sure about jump 3 and tried his best to divert course, but Poppy quickly regrouped, regained focus and continued in a positive rhythm to complete the rest of the course with great execution. The Ashtons were then rightfully on their merry way home before lunch — win right there! Finishing in 15th place.

Poppy Lowe & Squish

Dressage is probably Squish’s least favourite activity, and hoping for the atmosphere to spark a little extra magic is becoming something of a regular tactic! However, a nicely correct test — minus the usual inconvenient poo stop — scored them a pleasing 32.3.

Showjumping caught a few combinations out with the undulating ground, and Squish’s apparent dislike of Dalmatian-print fillers left them with 8 faults. XC rode very similarly to the Hunter Trial earlier in the year, and the pair looked more than ready for an epic run. Flying confidently around for a super clear inside the time — amazing! Finishing on 40.3 and taking 10th place.

Emily Clarke & Marty

Rumour had it they’d been practising the dressage — and wow, did it show! I watched a truly transformed partnership, rewarded with a 34.4 — a huge 10-point improvement from their last outing.

Onto SJ and, having watched where others had come unstuck, Emily produced a beautiful clear round and looked excited to tackle her first Burghley XC. Emily rode a super round and, although Marty was slightly hesitant to gallop into the water, they made their merry way around clear with just a few time penalties. Finishing on 44.8 and in 10th place.

Isabelle Eldridge & Sprite

In their first season together, Isabelle is doing a fantastic job mastering the controls! With perhaps slightly fewer brakes than ideal, the pair successfully navigated a lovely, correct dressage test for a score of 36.

Showjumping, again, was catching riders out on the downhill strides, resulting in 8 faults, but it was still a great effort. Another first-time Burghley experience for the pair, although you certainly wouldn’t have known it as they steamed around the course — quite literally! Who needs brakes when you’re having this much fun?!

They finished with a superb clear inside the time and an impressive 10 seconds under the optimum time. Finishing on 44.0 and taking 13th place.

A superbly organised event by the Burghley Pony Club, looking forward to doing it all again already 🤩
Well done, girls, ponies, and the most extensive super groom families 👏👏👏