We’re unveiling a fresh new look ahead of our centenary

We’re celebrating being Charity of the Year at the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials, taking place from 3rd to 6th September, by introducing a fresh new look ahead of our 100th anniversary in 2027.

The Charity of the Year platform will give us the opportunity to increase awareness of our work, raise funds and inspire more people to put horses first. Visitors will be able to meet our team, learn more about our work and see a World Horse Welfare-themed fence on the cross-country course.

The event will also provide a fitting stage for World Horse Welfare, which was founded in 1927, to look towards our second century of action by unveiling a refreshed visual identity designed to help our charity connect with more people in the UK and internationally.

After a year of listening to supporters, staff and partner organisations, we’ve evolved our look to reflect both the organisation people know and trust now and our ambitions to reach even more horses in the future.

Our Chief Executive Roly Owers says:

“Being Charity of the Year at Defender Burghley Horse Trials is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together around a shared commitment to horse welfare as we approach our centenary.

“For almost 100 years, World Horse Welfare has inspired people to put horses first, shaping how they are cared for, treated and protected. Burghley gives us an important platform to raise awareness of that work and look ahead to everything we still need to achieve for horses.

“The challenges facing horses continue to change, and if more horses are to enjoy the good lives they deserve, we need to inspire more people to stand alongside them in our second century of action. Our refreshed look reflects both the trusted charity our supporters know today and our ambitions for the future.”

At the heart of our new look is a new logo, featuring a horse with a more relaxed and optimistic expression, reflecting the positive change we want to see in every horse’s life. The design is also clearer and easier to recognise, helping more people discover our work and understand how they can make a difference for horses, especially online.

The horse in the new logo is intentionally not of any particular type, reflecting our commitment to improving the lives of all horses. The new typefaces and colours are more accessible for all audiences and the variety of brand colours adds vibrancy and reflects the diversity of countries and cultures our charity works in.

Roly continues:

“Whatever the challenge and wherever we are working, our focus remains the same: putting horses at the centre of the decisions that affect their lives.

“Our charity’s appearance may be evolving, but our commitment to horses remains unchanged. Guided by evidence, practicality and compassion, we will continue working tirelessly to improve horses’ lives. Because every horse matters. Everywhere. Always.”

As Burghley’s Charity of the Year, visitors will be able to support World Horse Welfare by adding a voluntary donation when purchasing tickets and by using the “Shop and Drop” facility, which will be staffed by our charity’s volunteers.

World Horse Welfare patron and content creator Esme Higgs will also appear on Burghley’s Insights Stage to launch a new World Horse Welfare initiative ahead of our charity’s centenary celebrations.

Visitors are encouraged to visit World Horse Welfare at Stand D5 during Defender Burghley Horse Trials to discover more about the charity, our new look and the ways they can help create a better future for horses.