2026 Inside Burghley Diaries: Friday - Live with the Leaders

Friday at Burghley and the dressage is done.

Nicole is live from the Insights Stage with Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne and EquiRatings analyst Ali Barrett to unpack two days of dressage that didn't quite play out as anyone expected. Nadja Minder and 19-year-old Toblerone are still out in front, the judging has everyone talking and there is everything still to play for.

Then the leaders join us. Nadja Minder, Gemma Stevens and Tim Price take their places on the sofa to talk about their horses, their tests and what it feels like to head out of the dressage phase sitting first, second and third at Burghley. There's plenty of cross-country chat too, as they give us the rider's view of Derek di Grazia's track.

And to finish, we go straight to the man who built it. Derek di Grazia gives us his take on the course, the ground, that 11 minute 20 second optimum time and just how many combinations he'd like to see beat the clock. Spoiler: he isn't giving much away.

Highlights

• Nadja Minder makes Burghley history
• The dressage judging debate
• Sam, D and Ali break down the leaderboard
• Nadja, Gemma and Tim join us live
• The riders give their verdict on the cross-country
• Derek di Grazia has the final word

Guests

Nadja Minder
Burghley dressage leader with Toblerone.

Gemma Stevens
Sitting second with Chilli Knight after dressage.

Tim Price
Former Burghley winner and third with Falco.

Derek di Grazia
Defender Burghley cross-country course designer.

🎥 Watch every moment on Burghley TV: exclusive live coverage, replays, and behind-the-scenes access all week.

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