by bramhamadmin | May 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
From 5 – 8 June all roads lead to Yorkshire for the 51st Defender Bramham International Horse Trials and this year’s event is shaping up to be a cracker. The spring sunshine has the iconic park looking stunning, the equestrian entries are flooding in and the final planning is underway so secure your tickets and plan your 2025 Bramham journey.
The showpiece in Bramham’s timetable are the eventing competitions with the Defender CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S which for 2025 includes a dedicated aware for the best under 25 rider. It’s FEI European Championships year and this time, Britain plays host to event at the Agria Blenheim Palace Horse Trials over 18 – 21 September – go well at Bramham and horse and rider combinations from all over Europe could put their names in the frame for selection. The entry roster stands at 140 currently with a star-studded 15 nations represented. Britain’s Olympic team gold medalist Tom McEwen, reigning world champion Yasmin Ingham and last year’s 50th anniversary champion Harry Meade are just a few of the names entered at present.
Bramham is synonymous with delivering stunning cross-country courses adored by riders and spectators alike. This year is the debut for new designer Andrew Heffernan as he takes over the legacy left by Ian Stark. Working closely with course builder and master of the chainsaw David Evans, Andrew is looking to make his mark with a test befitting of the Bramham tradition but with his own stamp.
Eventing may be at the heart of Bramham but there’s a host of other equestrian competitions too. There’s youngstock and hunter showing classes, a Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier and British Showjumping classes including a Horse of the Year Show qualifier, a six bar, accumulator and the show’s curtain call, the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix. The Saracens Horse Feeds Arena Eventing classes at 100cm, 90cm and new for this year, 80 cm are a huge favorite on Sunday while local Pony Club teams will be in action all weekend with show jumping and mounted games – many a top rider started their journey to the top in The Pony Club so you may see future medalists in action.
Kirkbourne Spaniels join in the action once again for working dog demos in the Defender arena and the team is also going to be holding dog scurry competitions adjacent to the agility arena throughout the event – something for the canine visitors to enjoy as well as their owners.
Everyone loves a spot of shopping and eating and Bramham’s 160 outlet village has something for every taste – culinary and otherwise. Our title sponsors Defender will be in the heart of the village as well as our 2025 charity partners, Equine Pathways UK, locally based in Leeds.
The team offers equine assisted therapy to improve the lives of children and adults with mental and physical disability. Make sure you drop by their stand to learn more about their crucial work, which makes a real difference. On Friday and Saturday, two of their super star ponies will be in attendance to meet and greet you. They’ll be operating a bad drop so if you can park any shopping while you enjoy your day for a small donation. You can also support their raffle or purchase something from their range of merchandise.
Interested in joining us? Save time and money by booking your Bramham tickets in advance – but hurry, prices will rise on 02 June. Admission tickets start at £18 for over 17s and there’s further savings on weekend and season passes. You’ll also need a car park ticket for your vehicle so don’t forget that – there’s a day, weekend and season option. Upgrade yourself to VIP status with Membership tickets which give you access to the arenaside Members’ pavilion with CCTV, coffee shop, bar and snacks – numbers are limited so it’s worth booking ahead with your entry tickets.
For those who like to be at the heart of the action, we also offer a campsite facility for any type of accommodation with shower and toilet facilities – you can book for a season pass or weekend – but hurry, bookings are limited, and the weekend package is nearly sold out!
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “We’ve had a fantastic spring on the Bramham Estate with the Park looking truly radiant and green. We’ve welcomed Andrew [Heffernan] and David [Evans]for a few visits and the estate staff are working hard to provide the very best for all our visitors. Andrew brings a new perspective, and I think everyone’s going to love his vision.
“The team and I are in final countdown mode with plans well advanced for what we hope will be another memorable chapter in Bramham’s history. The Lane Fox family and Bramham team are looking forward to welcoming competitors, their connections, our army of officials and volunteers, our sponsors and of course our visitors.”
Visit the website www.bramham-horse.co.uk for all the news, lowdown and ticket information. Follow us on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as we countdown to the 2025 Defender Bramham Horse Trials!
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Bramham Media Contact:
Winnie Murphy, Press Officer – winsome22@live.co.uk or 07967 186556.
Media accreditation closes on 25 May so get any last minute applications in – Media – Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
Passes will be mailed on Tuesday 27 May.
by bramhamadmin | Dec 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
As the festive period approaches, the organisers of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials are delighted to round off their 50th anniversary year with the announcement of Equine Pathways UK as their charitable partner for 2025. Running 5 – 8 June, planning for next year is well underway and the box office is now open, just in time to secure tickets for the ideal Christmas gift.
The Leeds-based charity offers equine assisted therapy to help improve the lives of children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Horses form strong connections with humans and that unique bond is harnessed to help with emotional challenges, mental health issues and neurodiverse conditions to develop confidence, self-esteem and comfort. Many of the horses at the centre have been rescued and carefully rehabilitated to support therapy sessions, workshops and experiences which enrich both the horses and participants.
Founded by Carole Taylor nearly a decade ago at Carr Hall Farm, her life-long home, Equine Pathways UK works closely with national charities including Mind, Barnardos and Macmillan Cancer Support as well as local organisations and schools. Their valuable work is making a strong impression in the Leeds area with their services recognised by the Yorkshire Choice Awards, The Duke of York Awards and the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Community Initiative Award.
“We are over the moon to have been named charity partner of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials in 2025. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the voluntary led service we provide for children and adults through our therapy based equine assisted programmes,” said Carole.
“We’re solely reliant on raising money to fund our activity and the money raised at Bramham will allow us to continue our pioneering Young Lives Empowerment Programme, which supports young people through life changing and challenging situations.
“It’s our 10th anniversary next year and we cannot think of any better way to celebrate than being the charity partner at this international event,” she added.
The Bramham team is busily finalising the 2025 timetable, and all the showcase competitions make a return. The showcase Defender CCI4*-L, the Under 25 CCI4*-L and the Defender CCI4*-S sections will provide the main attraction as Andrew Heffernan makes his cross-country course design debut. Britain’s brightest amateurs tackle the NAF Five Star BE 80 National Championships with elite showjumping classes, Pony Club showjumping and mounted games, showing, youngstock, breeding and hunter showing competitions and the ever-popular Saracen Horse Feeds Arena Eventing with 90cm and 100cm classes to provide equestrian entertainment supreme.
It’s not only about the horses in one of the most stunning parks in Yorkshire, the trade stand village of over 130 outlets keep the shoppers happy while the foodies will enjoy a food hall and catering and refreshment options for every taste. At Bramham, we’re champions of sustainability and once again, we’ll be working hard to continue to reduce the carbon footprint of the event on our environment with a number of initiatives including ‘zero to landfill’ thanks to Wetherby Skip Services.
The Bramham Box Office is now open to secure tickets, memberships and camping passes – the perfect Christmas gift.
You could also support Equine Pathways UK by sponsoring one of their ponies on someone’s behalf for the year or maybe purchase a mug as a stocking stuffer. Or why not make a donation in lieu of a gift or cards this year?
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented, “It’s been a fantastic year at Bramham with so many milestones – our 50th anniversary and the first year of Defender as title sponsors were the ultimate highlights with some amazing memories made too. Every year brings a new chapter in the event’s long and rich history and we’re already looking forward to 2025. The work of our charity, Equine Pathways UK, is inspiring and the help their sessions give to those in need locally showcase the magic of horses to heal. We couldn’t be prouder to have them on board and look forward to working with them to showcase what they achieve at Carr Hall Farm.
“I have to end the year with a thank you to everyone who comes together each year to make the horse trials a huge success – the riders and their teams, the sponsors, the volunteers, the spectators, officials, tradestands, contractors and of course, the horses. On behalf of the team at Bramham Park, I wish everyone a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year for 2025. See you in June!”
Follow us on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – a visit to the website www.bramham-horse.co.uk will give you all the info you need to plan your visit during 5 – 8 June 2025.
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Media contacts
Bramham International Horse Trials
Winnie Murphy, Press Officer
E | winsome22@live.co.uk
M | 07967 186556
Equine Pathways UK
Carole Taylor
E | equinepathwaysuk@gmail.com
T | 07866 328721
W: www.equinepathways.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1160850
by bramhamadmin | Oct 31, 2024 | Uncategorized
As the colour of autumn takes over the iconic Park at Yorkshire’s Bramham estate, the organising team behind the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials are busily planning 2025, which takes place 5 – 8 June. After 15 years as Bramham’s cross-country course designer, we said a sad farewell to Ian Stark this year, however, today we are proud to name Andrew Heffernan as his successor.
Andrew has been a professional rider for over 20 years, representing The Netherlands at Olympic, World and European Championships as well as completing at Badminton and Burghley. He’s had firsthand experience of the Bramham Park turf having ridden round as a competitor on six occasions, including a top ten finish in 2010. More recently, he has expanded into elite coaching, team management and cross-country course designing. He and wife Millie are based at the expansive competition, schooling and livery venue Somerford Park Farm, run by Millie and her family, and it’s here his love of course designing began.
Getting design experience at national level has quickly developed into involvement at international events. Andrew is now qualified to 4* level under the mentorship and guidance of Ian Stark, and course builder David Evans, who will continue to work at Bramham Park with Andrew.
The challenge ahead is something Andrew is clearly relishing; “Excited doesn’t even come close to the way I feel about taking on the role as designer at Bramham,” he declared. “I’m extremely grateful that Nick and Rachel Lane Fox and Nick Pritchard have shown so much belief in me and given me what can only be described as a career changing opportunity. To take over the reins from someone like Ian Stark is a huge honour. He has helped me enormously over the years with my designing and I’m hoping he will be there for me to lean on for a good few years to come! Bramham is a unique venue. With its topography and terrain, it is a course designer’s dream and the team at Bramham has been so welcoming, I really can’t wait to get cracking!” Andrew said.
Andrew has shadowed Ian and David for the last two years at Bramham Park and has developed a good working knowledge of the Park and it’s many features – and he and David have already been out planning for next year.
Defender CCI4*-L 2024 champion Harry Meade has given the appointment his endorsement; “With its gentle undulations and the bold designs of Ian Stark, Bramham has long been one of the best events in the calendar as well as one of the few that truly prepares horses for five-star level. With Ian’s retirement, it’s great news that his protégé Andrew Heffernan will take over at Bramham, and I’m sure that Andy will continue this same language of design that so successfully encourages forward riding. We’ll look forward to tackling this next chapter in Bramham’s story,” he commented.
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard added; “We’re delighted to welcome Andrew to the Bramham team, and he’s already settled in well. His credentials as a rider, trainer and now course builder are first rate, and we know he’s learned from the very best. Bramham is renowned for our cross-country courses and for many riders, it’s a proving ground for horses to go on to five star and championship levels and we’re confident Andrew will continue to uphold this, but with his own unique input. I’m sure competitors and spectators alike are looking forward to Andrew’s debut course in 2025.”
The box office for the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials 2025 opens on 01 December – just in time for Christmas presents – but in the meantime, our website hosts the latest news and event information, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular insight:
www.twitter.com/bramhamhorse, www.facebook.com/bramhamhorsetrials or www.instagram.com/bramhamhorse.
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Media contact
Bramham Media Officer
Winnie Murphy
07967 186556
winsome22@live.co.uk
by bramhamadmin | Jun 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Wiltshire-based rider Harry Meade has been coming to compete at Bramham for some 23 years and has had a number of top placings, but today he realised an ambition in standing atop the podium for the first time, emulating his father Richard Meade, who won in 1975. Riding Stephen and Dinah Posford and Jules Carter’s Annaghmore Valoner, he jumped the perfect clear round to finish on his dressage score and take the show piece Defender CCI4*-L at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
After a fantastic Saturday marking Ian Stark’s final cross-country course as designer at Bramham due to his retirement, it was nail-bitingly close heading into today’s final phase, with less than one pole down separating the top five.
Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen have been super consistent all week for owners Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston, and a clear today put them in prime position to finish no worse than fourth. Next up was the rising talent of Max Warburton with The Paske Syndicate’s Deerpairc Revelry, who impressed across the country yesterday to rise up the leaderboard with a clear. They too left the poles in position for an immaculate clear.
It was then Harry’s turn with the beautiful mare Annaghmore Valoner. Harry is a master under pressure, which he used to his advantage to conjure a stunning clear, heaping the pressure on overnight leaders, Tom Jackson and S.H.E. Eventing AB’s Ask for Manchier.
Tom admitted that jumping on the final day isn’t the horse’s forte, but his worst fear was realised when they had the first fence down. Keeping his cool, Tom nursed the ‘Manny’ round without further fault, showing his ability to be a great, calm horseman. That dropped them to fifth and handed the 2024 Defender title to Harry.
Harry said afterward; “This is such a special event and I’ve grown up wanting to one day win – I think I first rode here about 23 years ago! I knew the time was tight, but just focused on my game plan. I was so pleased when I came out that we’d nailed it – the warm-up and what went on in the ring. I was so pleased that had gone right, I almost forgot about the competition. I’d been so focused on that performance and it was actually Oliver Townend who told me I’d won because Tom had the first fence down. My instant reaction was ‘oh no, poor Tom’, not the score – particularly when it’s friends, you don’t want to wish anyone ill, just focus on myself.
“I totally love her and have a real soft spot for her – she’s just a lovely, lovely person, there’s not an ounce of malice in her. She’s really talented, but she’s a worrier and she’s one you try and hold her hand to give her latent talent the chance to come to fruition, which just feels as rewarding as any win. You don’t get any better preparation to go five-star than Blenheim and Bramham – for me, she’s got all the ingredients, the bravery, the stamina, the speed, the scope in all three phases.
“Without Bramham, we’d be completely lost – it’s loved by everyone, but we simply couldn’t produce horses for five-star without it. I like every horse to come here, but also it’s such a fun, beautiful place. It’s horse-friendly, rider-friendly – it’s a really happy, relaxed atmosphere, but with a real buzz,” he declared.
On his career best result, Max said; “I’m delighted. I wasn’t quite expecting that result, but I’m absolutely thrilled! The dressage has always been a bit of a weak phase and we’ve spent a lot of time and effort, so I was thrilled with that. I put a lot of pressure on myself at Badminton and had a completion, but I came away thinking ‘just settle down’, have more of a plan and don’t set out all gung ho – and that definitely worked. I was a bit more cool and it worked. It’s a dream – I work day in and day out and this is what you ride them for. Bramham’s a fantastic show!”
Third-placed Ros had this to say about her ride: “He is an amazing jumper – he’s probably one of the best I’ve had. Just before I went in, everyone stopped and watched him. He does fill you with confidence and he’s getting better and better. He used to be a little bit careful, a bit stiff, but now he’s getting really fluent as well – he’s just good fun to ride in the jumping.
“I was absolutely over the moon with him yesterday. He is such a careful horse, as you’ve seen today, and I felt it was a big ask to go round Bramham, but I wanted to come here and see what he was made of. We had a few jumps where he went a bit green, but what I was so thrilled about was how he carried on afterwards and gained in confidence all the way around,” she said.
Ros also had a great ride in the CCI4*-S on her Olympic hopeful horse, Lordships Graffalo, also known as Walter, and she added; “I ran at Bicton a few weeks ago and felt there was a few things I wanted to tune up a little bit and they all came off as I wanted them to here. Walter’s had a thoroughly nice time and a lovely day out!”
So, the 2024 50th birthday edition of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials comes to an end. Thank you to everyone who supported our special anniversary event – it’s been a year of reminiscing and making new memories. See you 5–8 June next year!
by bramhamadmin | Jun 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Sunday finale to the CCI4*-L U25 at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials was all about clear jumping rounds. Warwickshire-based rider Emma Thomas, riding her own The Buzz Factor, held her nerve to produce an immaculate clear under the pressure of knowing she couldn’t have a fence down and still take the class and the coveted British U25 Champion crown.
Going into the final phase, third-placed Isabel White and Icarus put the pressure on with a great round, which earned just 1.6 time penalties with all the poles in place, to end their event on 50.3. Next in was Cassie Sanger from the USA with the second of her two rides, Fernhill Zoro. Cassie expertly piloted the athletic bay and he didn’t look like touching a pole – clear all the way to remain on their two-day total of 43.6.
It was then down to the wire for Emma and The Buzz Factor, a horse she’d originally bought eight years ago to do Pony Club eventing – they could afford some time faults, but not a fence. Emma looked brimming with confidence, having had a corker of a ride across the country yesterday, and the dark bay looked like the 10-minute course hadn’t taken anything out of him. They were faultless all the way and Emma let out a little squeal of joy as she cleared the final fence – fittingly, title sponsor Defender’s branded jump.
After a taking in her lap of honour, Emma said; “I feel amazing… and it’s a massive relief, actually! It’s so hard because I know he’s so capable of it, but anything can go wrong in a split second and I so didn’t want to mess up.
“I was thrilled with his [dressage] test – the score wasn’t great, but he was really in the mix, so you have to let that go. He was really rideable and with me the whole way, which was lovely. Cross-country yesterday, I was absolutely thrilled with him. He’s not been to a big party in about 18 months, so I got on and he was very fresh in the warm-up and out of the start box, but once he settled into a rhythm, we really got going. I had a run-out on him at the arrowhead at the top of the hill here two years ago, so once I’d jumped that I had a little internal ‘woo hoo, yes’, then had to refocus. Today, I really tried not to overthink it. I walked the course and I just tried to treat it like I was jumping at my local show. He’s not the most conventional, but I love sitting on him, and he really tries and is so scopey. I just love him so much, I owe my whole career to him,” she said with clear emotion.
Second-placed Bramham debutante Cassie Sanger is now a firm fan of the event. She said; “I feel really relieved to be done – it’s been a long week and quite stressful, but a really fun experience. Two horses have kept me busy, but I really like having my duo. It’s really nice to have two – if you make a mistake on one, you have a shot at redemption – the second time out you just feel more confident too.
“My first horse, Redfield Fyre, is so green and he’s exceeded our expectations this spring. We never expected this – it was only about a month ago that we decided to enter. He’s such a good cross-country horse, but the dressage is a struggle for him, and it definitely was, but that’s okay because he’s just going to keep getting better and better. On Fernhill Zoro, I was hoping to put down our best test yet and I did far from that! On Friday afternoon, it was definitely a struggle to get my head back where it needed to be, but I’m proud that I was able to do that and go out on Saturday and just give it everything I had.
“Bramham is different to what I thought it’d be. I was told it was hardest four-star there is and it really is – everything is just the highest calibre. It’s such an exciting competition,” she said.
Third placed Isabel White reflected on her week with Icarus; “I’m absolutely thrilled with him. I’d hoped to have a good week, but I can’t quite believe we’re on the podium! My dressage didn’t quite go to plan – I thought he’d really light up with the atmosphere and he didn’t at all – and we slightly overworked him, but he redeemed himself and jumped brilliantly.
“I’ve had him three and half years now, and he’s come on a long way and really strengthened up now. This is definitely the biggest atmosphere he’s ever seen and I can’t believe how well he’s coped, really. He’s quite shy in the stable, but loves a crowd and really comes to life when ridden. I’d like to think we could go five-star – he made the cross-country feel easy, which is a relief,” she summed up.
Full results are available on https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
Diary date: Defender Bramham International Horse Trials 2025 – 5- 8 June.
