More than 100 entries were received for the competition in Lincolnshire in England, with six previous winners of the event due to compete.

Great Britain's Oliver Townend will be in action as the reigning champion, having won last year riding Ballaghmor Class.

Caroline Powell from New Zealand was the last female winner of the event, claiming victory in 2010 riding Lenamore.

The sport of eventing is one of the few sports where men and women compete on equal terms.

Fellow New Zealanders and previous winners Andrew Nicholson and Mark Todd MBE will be joining Powell at Burghley.

Both Nicholson and Todd have won the event five times, with Nicholson winning three successive titles from 2012 to 2014 riding Avebury.

Britain's Pippa Funnell and Rio 2016 Olympic team bronze medallist Chris Burton of Australia are the other previous winners due to compete.

Organisers of the event have praised the substantial prize money as a draw for top competitors.

The Burghley Horse Trials winner will receive £95,000 ($123,000/€105,000) prize money with a total prize pot of more than £300,000 ($390,000/€333,000).

The first horse inspections will take place today with dressage competitions beginning tomorrow.

The cross-country stage will be held on Saturday (September 1) and the final event, jumping, will take place on Sunday (September 2).

Final horse inspections and presentations will also be held on Sunday.