Burghley director Liz Inman is leaving after a 40-year association with one of the world’s premier three-day events, following a decision to bring management “more into line” with the venue’s other activities.
The news has caused further shockwaves in the UK eventing community following the cancellation of both Badminton and Burghley for the second year due to the pandemic.
There is bewilderment as to why those two events could not go ahead in some form when so much major sport in the UK has opened up amid a strong vaccination program. More than 60,000 fans attended the European Cup soccer final on July 11, which despite some fears is not associated with any spike in Covid infections.
Meanwhile Bicton in southwest England is set to stage a 5* replacement event in September, having already successfully run the Bramham 4* replacement in June.
Burghley, a famous historic home, is run by a charitable trust which oversees other large-scale commercial events on the estate. A major “house music” outdoor event is still going ahead on July 31.
Inman actively considered crowd-funding to save the 2021 competition with a reduced number of spectators and no shopping village. Examples of proposed cost savings included using Mark Phillips as course designer to save flying Derek di Grazia over from the US, and revising the farming schedule so that sheep could graze the cross-course track to save paying someone to mow it.
But in the first week of May the charitable trust felt cancellation nearer the event could still cost them a serious sum because of local taxes, rents, licences and fixed overheads, and so preferred to cancel in the spring.
Liz Inman worked alongside director Bill Henson for many years before succeeding him in the top job 16 years ago. Chairman of Burghley Horse Trials Ltd., Edward Clive, said, “In many respects Elizabeth is Burghley Horse Trials, having been involved for so long and so this announcement is a milestone event. On behalf of everyone at Burghley, I would like to thank her for a lifetime’s dedication to this event which has grown beyond recognition since 1961 when we started with just 19 competitors and 12,000 visitors. Plans are already underway for delivering a spectacular anniversary event in 2022.”
Inman said. “ I have been privileged to work as a member of such a fantastic team in such idyllic surroundings. My principal reward has been the opportunity to play a role in the development of this great competition and the lifelong friendships that I have forged amongst all who have helped contribute to its success and who, I know, will continue to do so.”
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