The ultimate guide to what to wear to Burghley Horse Trials, from country clothing and colour analysis to the styling rules that will make your outfit look effortlessly chic. Let’s get into it!

The 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials take place from Thursday 3 September to Sunday 6 September, with dressage on Thursday and Friday, cross country on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday.

There are few events quite like the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Burghley House and its beautiful parkland, it is a world-class equestrian competition, and, of course, one of the highlights of the country and equestrian social calendar.

Whilst the horses are undoubtedly the stars of the show, Burghley is a brilliant occasion to embrace quintessentially British style.

So, if you are wondering what to wear to Burghley Horse Trials 2026, this is your guide to getting the look just right.

The Rule of 3: the easiest way to make an outfit look expensive

One of my favourite styling rules is the Rule of 3, and the idea is incredibly simple:

Choose a colour and repeat it three times throughout your outfit.

This is great if you want to add a statement colour to your outfit, or if you want to dial up the interest in a neutral outfit, It doesn’t have to be exactly the same shade, tonal variations can be used and look just as sophisticated.

For example:

Chocolate brown boots + a chocolate brown leather belt + a chocolate brown bag.

Burgundy fedora + burgundy knitwear + burgundy handbag.

Tan scarf + tan belt + tan footwear.

The eye will naturally connect the three elements, making the entire outfit look pulled together, effortlessly!

How to use colour analysis for your outfit

Colour analysis is another brilliant way to make country clothing feel modern and flattering. Rather than automatically reaching for traditional khaki, brown and navy, think about which country colours really suit you.

You can find out if you have a cool or warm undertone, by looking at your veins. If you look at the veins on your inner wrist, in natural indirect daylight. If the veins are blue or purple, this points to a cool undertone. Green veins point to a warm undertone, and if you have a mix of the two, a neutral undertone. If you want to determine how much ‘brightness’ you could handle, think about the following: If you have high contrast between your skin, hair, and eyes, vivid colours will often make you pop. However, if your features blend together gently with low contrast, softer tones will flatter you best.

If you have warm colouring, you could try: Olive, Camel, Moss Green, Rust, Chocolate, Warm Cream, Burgundy, Tan.

If you have cool colouring, consider: Navy, Forest Green, Plum, Cool Taupe, Slate, Soft White, Berry Shades.

If you have a softer colouring, try: Sage, Mushroom, Dusty Blue, Soft Olive, Stone, Oatmeal, Soft Camel.

If you suit high contrast, consider stringer colour combinations like Navy/Cream/Burgundy, Green/White/Chocolate.

What to wear to Burghley Horse Trials in September

September is the perfect month for country styling because you can embrace layers. Your outfit will need to be prepared for a warmer afternoon, a chilly morning and potentially a sudden shower or two!

Your outwear piece is likely to be the foundation of building your Burghley outfit. This might be a gilet, tweed blazer, lightweight waterproof or wax jacket. Whatever the piece you choose, you are likely to be working around this.

If you are investing in one piece specifically for the Horse Trials, choose something that you know you will wear again throughout the autumn/winter season ahead. I would recommend an olive, navy, tan or chocolate wax or quilted jacket will work with almost everything in your wardrobe.

Tweed is a great place to start, you don’t have to go all out with a full matching outfit, try incorporating a tweed skirt or a tweed blazer into a more neutral look. I like to wear tweed with white/navy or black jeans, and leather boots, or a tweed skirt with a white blouse and suede boots.

When it comes to jeans, I try to avoid anything too casual. I opt for solid colours of cream, brown, navy or black over blue denim, and I would avoid anything washed or distressed. Wide leg trousers often look great with a cropped jacket, whilst corduroy’s are a great opportunity to add texture to your look.

Burghley is still the perfect opportunity to style a dress, particularly if the weather is still warmer. Adding a country jacket and boots keeps the look perfect for a horse trials, and adding a knit over your shoulders looks instantly pulled together.

What shoes should you wear to a horse trials?

This is where practicality matters, particularly if you are attending on Cross Country day, and you are planning on walking the course. I say it every, single, time, but a Horse Trials just isn’t the time for breaking in a new pair of shoes, or rolling with the ‘pain is beauty’ mindset. You are likely to walk considerably more than you expect.

My footwear top choices:

Tall leather or suede boots
Excellent with jeans, dresses and cords.

Chelsea boots
Smart, practical and easy to dress up.

Loafers
Beautiful if the weather is dry and you aren’t planning a long course walk.

Deck shoes
Perfectly acceptable for a more contemporary country look, particularly with tailored trousers.

The accessories that make the outfit

Accessories are the best way to complete your look, and create that really polished finish to your outfit.

The belt

Adding a belt is one of the easiest ways to make jeans or a skirt look more put together. It is just a really simple way to go from wearing an outfit, to styling an outfit. It is adding in these little details that make all the difference. Adding in a belt is also the perfect opportunity to utilise the Rule of 3. Brown belt? Repeat brown in your boots and handbag. Or, why not use your help to add in a brighter colour, and then continue to add in the colour through two other pieces.

The scarf

A silk scarf instantly elevates a simple outfit, and there are so many different ways of tying your scarf, it is such a simple way to keep changing up your outfits. There are lots of country inspired and equestrian designs out there, which look particularly thoughtful with your horse trials outfits. Try tying one: around your neck ( you can research so many different ways to tie), on your handbag or in your hair.

The bag

A little like footwear, I think choosing for practicality is important, especically if you are planning on walking the course. Yo will want to pick something that has enough space to carry around everything you need for the day, and I personally like opting for something with a shoulder strap, as not only does this free up your hands, but it does make it easier to carry throughout the day. I would choose a good quality leather or suede bag, this adds texture to your outfit, but they are also good investment pieces that you will use time and time again.

The hat

A hat can work really well for horse trials styling. I personally like opting for either a wood or straw fedora, depending on the weather for the event. A fedora can be the perfect accessory whether it is to keep the sun off your eyes, or the rain off your hair!

What colours are perfect for Burghley?

If you’re looking for the ultimate country colour palette, start with the landscape.

Think: Olive green, Forest green, Navy, Camel, Chocolate brown, Burgundy, Cream, Tan, Oatmeal, Moss Green.

The beauty of these colours is that almost all of them work together.

One of my favourite formulas is:
60% neutral + 30% secondary colour + 10% accent

You can use the Rule of 3 to repeat your accent colour.

Which day should you visit Burghley Horse Trials?

Thursday – for dressage and shopping
Ideal if you love fashion, shopping and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

Friday – for dressage, shopping and masterclasses
A brilliant option if you want to combine the competition with plenty of time to explore the showground.

Saturday – for the ultimate Burghley experience
This is the day for Cross Country, big jumps, picnics, country style and atmosphere. It is also the busiest day, so plan ahead.

Sunday – for the finale
Perfect if you want to see the final horse inspection, show jumping, the Parade of Hounds and the prize presentation.

My ultimate Burghley outfit formula

I will quite often stick to simple outfit formulas, which you will often see repeated throughout my event styling. If I had to create my Burghley outfit right now, this is what I’d choose:

– Chocolate Fedora hat
– Fleece gilet
– Wax jacket (for layering if needed)
– White or country check shirt/blouse or cable knit jumper if colder
– Tweed skirt
– Chocolate suede belt
– Chocolate suede knee high boots
– A brown leather bag

And there you can see the Rule of 3 being used:
Chocolate boots + chocolate belt + chocolate hat.

Final take away: Burghley Horse Trials 2026:

When: 3rd – 6th September 2026
Where: Burghley Park, Stamford, Lincolnshire
What: CCI5* Three Day Eventing
Thursday: Dressage
Friday: Dressage
Saturday: Cross Country
Sunday: Show Jumping and prize presentation

The official timetable is provisional and visitors should check the Burghley website before travelling for any changes to timings.

For tickets, visitor information, the latest timetable and event updates, visit Defender Burghley Horse Trials⁠.

So there we have it. If you are heading to Burghley this year, I hope you have a fabulous time.
Hopefully see you there!

Lots of love, Lucinda xo