Badminton is around the corner, and for Joseph Murphy, it feels personal.

Nicole Brown sits down with one of Ireland's most experienced championship riders to talk about Belline Fighting Spirit, going back to Badminton with unfinished business, and the mindset shifts that have shaped the last few years of his career. From rider mistakes and hard lessons, to equalling his best ever five-star dressage score at Burghley, Joseph opens up about what it really takes to keep evolving at the top of the sport.

The conversation goes far beyond one horse or one event. Joseph reflects on missing championships, losing confidence, rebuilding his system, and why sometimes the next day really can change everything. From hunting fields and point-to-points, to building businesses outside the sport, this is an honest conversation about longevity, resilience, and staying hungry at the top level.

• Going back to Badminton with Belline Fighting Spirit and unfinished business
• The rider mistake that still stays with him from last year
• How small changes led to a Burghley dressage breakthrough
• Missing championships, losing confidence, and finding a way through
• Why hunting and racing still shape his cross-country riding
• Building a business, a team, and a life beyond the sport

• Joseph Murphy — Irish Olympian, championship rider, and one of Ireland's most experienced five-star competitors

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The Inside Burghley series returns for 2026, and this first episode goes behind the scenes at one of the sport's most iconic events.

Nicole Brown heads to Burghley HQ in Stamford to sit down with Event Director Martyn Johnson and get a look at what it really takes to build a five-star. From the day after one event finishes to planning years ahead, this is a full-time operation, shaped by feedback, detail, and constant evolution.

They talk through what's been happening over the winter, how the team balances tradition with change, and what's new for 2026, including a significant shift to the showground layout designed to bring the event closer together while protecting the parkland that makes Burghley so special.

There's also a look at how the event continues to evolve for fans, from the on-site experience and Burghley TV, to masterclasses, hospitality, and ways to make more of the week.

• Inside Burghley HQ and what happens year-round behind the scenes
• Customer experience, feedback, and how the event continues to evolve
• Major 2026 site changes and what they mean for the showground
• Balancing tradition with future-proofing the event
• Masterclasses, fan experience, and new ideas in the works
• What the next few months look like in the build-up to September

• Martyn Johnson — Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials

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

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There is nothing quite like the Monday morning after a five-star, and this one had plenty to talk about.

Nicole Brown is joined by Diarmuid Byrne and Annie Bishop, fresh from Kentucky, to bring the raw reaction to a weekend that felt special from start to finish. From a dressage leaderboard packed tighter than usual, to a cross-country day that looked one way early and then quickly showed its teeth, this was a five-star that kept unfolding.

At the centre of it all, Will Coleman and Diabolo. A first five-star win, delivered across all three phases, and a performance that answered the biggest question mark coming into the week. Around them, the story kept shifting, big names in the mix, time penalties creeping in, and opportunities taken and missed.

They break down how it played out, the moments that mattered, and why this Kentucky felt like more than just another result.

• Will Coleman and Diabolo deliver a first five-star win
• A dressage phase that kept the field tightly packed
• Cross-country day, how it unfolded and where it changed
• Harry Meade and the reminder of how tough five-star time really is
• Standout performances from Galileo Nieuwmoed, HSH Blake, and more
• The atmosphere, emotion, and energy across the week

• Diarmuid Byrne — EquiRatings Founder and Executive Director
• Annie Bishop — US eventing analyst and regular contributor

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