Burghley Horse Trials give traders 'Christmas' boost

Jenny Prescott, centre with spotted dress, is expecting a busy few days at the cafe where she works

Businesses in a Lincolnshire town say a surge in customers, caused by a major horse riding event, makes it feel like "Christmas has come early".

The Burghley Horse Trials, held at Burghley House, Stamford, start on Thursday and run until 7 September. It will see the world's top riders compete in dressage, cross country and jumping.

Jenny Prescott, from the Central Cafe and Tearooms, says the event has a "huge impact" on the local economy.

"It puts Stamford on the map for all of us, we're really excited," she says.

Ms Prescott adds: "It brings people together, even if you don't know anything about horses, people love it, there's such a big sense of community."

The event was first held on the Elizabethan parkland in 1961 and, according to organisers, attracted more than 100,000 people to the area.

Michael Thurlby, owner of the Crown Hotel, Stamford, says his venue sees a major boost during the annual equestrian event

Over at the Crown Hotel, the final checks are being made to the rooms before the guests start to arrive, with expectations of a busy few days while the competition takes place.

Owner Michael Thurlby says: "It increases our trade hugely - the restaurants are full, bars are full, the accommodation is full with different types of people travelling from all over the world.

"It's great to put Stamford on show. Everyone who travels here probably wouldn't come without Burghley Horse Trials."

One of early arrivals is Bridgett McIntosh, the vice president of Mars Equestrian, which is sponsoring the competition and has flown in from Washington DC.

"The town is always buzzing and so friendly. I feel like I'm with family when I stay at the Crown and it has a nice sense of community," she says.

"I'm really looking forward to being out in the country and having a great day of sport."

Bridgett McIntosh says it feels like being with a family when she travels to Lincolnshire from the US

Since the inaugural event, Burghley has grown to become one of seven, five-star events and a popular fixture within the equestrian calendar.

The venue has also hosted two World Championships, six European Championships and one Young Riders European Championship.

Martyn Johnson, event director of the Burghley Horse Trials, says: "Stamford is a really key part of the event, a lot of people visit and stay locally, it's really important the community feels part of the event.

"We're very fortunate to be able to have a world-class event, with top riders, competing at one of the most magnificent backdrops there is."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices