Defender Burghley’s brilliant main-arena Masterclasses are one of the major highlights of the event. And this year was no exception with our most star-studded line-up yet.

While dressage maestro Carl Hester, returned to Burghley to present his extremely popular Masterclass, this year titled Groom to Grand Prix, during the lunchtime break from the CCI5* action on Friday (6 September), we also welcomed three fantastic new demonstrations from William and Pippa Funnell, William and Alice Fox-Pitt and Henrietta Knight.

Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight presented a Masterclass on Re-educating the Racehorse during the lunchtime break on Thursday, 5 September. Working with four riders who have retrained their ex-racehorses to achieve success in other disciplines: Katie Dashwood (Minella Rebellion), Amanda Brieditis (Kilmarnock Lad), Sarah Pinfield (Kings Bridge) and Lizzie Harris (Glen Forsa).

After the CCI5* dressage concluded for the day on Thursday, William Fox-Pitt and his wife Alice will take the stage. William, who has recently retired from top-level eventing, has a record 14 CCI5* wins to his credit, including an astonishing six at Defender Burghley. ITV Racing presenter Alice Fox-Pitt is the only woman to have completed both Mars Badminton Horse Trials and the Grand National course at Aintree. Their Masterclass is titled Preparing for Burghley.

And in what was a highly entertaining climax to Burghley’s host of Masterclasses, the illustrious husband-and-wife team of showjumper William and eventer Pippa Funnell - herself a dual Burghley winner - present Showjumping - working in harmony! after dressage finished on Friday afternoon.