by bramhamadmin | Jun 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
British Olympic hopefuls Kitty King and Vendredi Biats certainly gave the team selectors a clear message with their storming victory in the Defender CCI4*-S section at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
It was fellow Paris 2024 contenders Ros Canter and Archie and Michele Saul’s Lordships Graffalo who started the day in pole position, following a super clear in the morning’s showjumping phase. However Ros elected to give ‘Walter’ a steady round across the country rather than pressing on for a competitive finish. It was a classy performance nonetheless and will have showed their prowess ahead of final selection for the Paris trip.
The early charge for a podium place was cemented by the consistent duo of Kazuma Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne JRA for Japan, who purred round after a clear showjumping round to clock up just 6.8 time faults, which ensured they’d keep their third place at least.
Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the ever-popular Colorado Blue, owned by The Salty Syndicate, were the next pairing to secure a podium place with a classy round in Bramham Park in the effortless style we’ve come to expect from this pair – could it be enough to secure their place at the Games? They were just one of a few to make the time and finish on their dressage score – second place was theirs at worst.
It was all down to the indomitable partnership of Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, owned by Diana Bown, Samantha Wilson, Sally Lloyd-Baker and John Eyre. They were faultless over the coloured poles in the Defender Arena, before heading out on the cross-country course knowing they had a margin of just 0.8 penalties or two seconds. Kitty was trialing a new bit because the usual combination she uses has been deemed illegal by the international governing body, so – just weeks away from a potential team call-up – she needs a new alternative that suits both her and the sensitive French-bred gelding.
She started cautiously, but looked in complete control and entirely at ease. They grew in confidence and progressed as if on rails, meeting each fence in the perfect rhythm and jumping with ease. The clock was counting down as the fences were successfully negotiated and they cantered through the finish to stop the clock on 6.30 – well inside the time for the fastest round of the day. It was a second Braham win for the pairing, having already taken the CCI4*-L title in 2019.
Kitty admitted to it being an emotional win; “We haven’t had the best build-up to Bramham with the news that the FEI banned my normal cross-country bit that he’s gone in for seven years, and it’s been tricky trying to find a new combination that works for us both. He also got pus in the foot ahead of Bicton, so missed that vital run so I knew everything was riding on Bramham. It’s also been a bad start to the week – I had to have my dog put down on Monday and a family member hasn’t been well at all – but I won on the Premium Bonds on Wednesday, so it’s got better, and ‘Froggy’s’finished it really well. It was great to have a spin round on Louis [Crystal Fontaine] first – he was super. It really helped me know where to move and save a bit of time and he was much improved from Bicton.
“It’s a massive relief and it’s fantastic he’s gone so well and pulled it out of the bag for me again. It was a good week – in the end,” she reflected.
The final combination to take to the cross-country course, Aaron Millar and Alex Van Tuyll’s Count Onyx, had a great round with just 3.2 time penalties after a clear show jumping to rise from 12th after dressage to fourth overall. The top six was completed by 2022 winning rider Izzy Taylor, this time riding SBH Big Wall for owner Jane Timms in fifth, while Kitty finished sixth with her other ride, Cristal Fontaine, owned by Alex and Camilla Wakeley.
For full results, please visit: https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Defender CCI4*-L got the cross-country action underway in the glorious Bramham Park, and it was Dorset-based rider Aaron Millar and Cooley Exchange who acted as pathfinders over Ian Stark’s finale as course designer at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
The first of the leading pack to head out on the course was Ros Canter with Lady Milne Coates and Deirdre Johnston’s MHS Seventeen, who led the dressage on day one but were relegated to second place by Tom Jackson and Ask for Manchier on Friday. Ros is heralded as one of the best riders across the country and her round with ‘Vinnie’ certainly proved it, with Ian Stark crediting it as his round of the day. It has a great display to stop the clock at 10.24, five seconds over the time to give two time penalties for a two-phase total of 31.9, which set the target.
Soon after came last year’s CCI4*-S champions, Selina Milnes and the Rucker’s Cooley Snapchat, and it looked as though their previous trip around Bramham put them in good stead because they cruised round, stopping the clock with one second to spare – the first combination to make the time, meaning they’d finish the day in fifth place at worst.
Next of the leading contenders was Max Warburton, who impressed in the dressage with Deerpairc Revelry, who he rides for the Paske Syndicate. Max achieved a life’s ambition last month when he completed his first CCI5* at Badminton, so he arrived in Yorkshire brimming with confidence, which has been channeled into his performance here. He and the horse really travelled well and took on Ian’s course in style. They tipped the watch bang on the optimum time of 10.19, perfectly judged to finish on their dressage score of 31.5 and promoting them up the leaderboard, one place over Ros Canter.
Then, it was what the enthusiastic crowds lining the course across the green vista of Bramham Park were eagerly awaiting – our dressage leaders, Tom Jackson and Ask for Manchier, owned by S.H.E. Eventing AB. Tom and ‘Manny’ delivered the round they wanted to see, with the talented grey gelding seemingly jumping for fun despite this being his CCI4*-L debut. They were quick too, delivering the fastest time of the day to remain on their dressage of 28.8, and keeping their top of the podium place going into the final day.
Tom was clearly happy with his morning’s work; “I’m delighted with him. As I’ve previously said, we’ve had a real lack of preparation, so there were a few greener moments, but he finished strong. He’s proved what a strong cross-country horse he is – he felt like we could have gone 30 seconds quicker because he just cruised along in a really nice, easy rhythm and finished really well and confidently,” he said.
“Both horses had really good spins today, so fingers crossed for the both of them. It rides more like a five-star here – the terrain, the size of the fences – you feel you’re having to work quite hard, but it’s the reason we come here. It absolutely delivered today and hopefully Ian [Stark] will be pleased,” he concluded.
The penultimate combination, Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner, who he rides for Dinah Posford, Jules Carter, and Stephen Posford, had the chance to improve their placing by one with a good round. They progressed well around the course, taking everything in their stride until the Speedi-Beet Double second element, where an awkward jump was given 15 penalties for missing a flag. Unaware of that, Harry forged on and completed the course in 10.12.
Once the penalties had been relayed to Harry by his support team, he asked for a review. The Ground Jury revisited the footage and agreed that the horse had legally navigated the obstacle, so the penalties were removed to give Harry second place to end the day.
The CCI4*-L U25 is the ideal proving ground for future stars, with some of the sport’s leading names adorning the trophy in days past. Today’s cross-country proved an influential test, with the leaderboard changing considerably. The first combination to go, Britain’s Emma Thomas with Pippa Williams and Rebecca Valarde’s The Buzz Factor, threw down the gauntlet with a super jumping clear and just 3.2 time penalties to add to a dressage of 37.2. That was the target set for the others to beat.
It was the second of Cassie Sanger’s rides, Fernhill Zoro, that proved the most successful. Cassie is over in the UK as part of the US Equestrian Team development squad to earn vital experience, and her two rides around Bramham will have certainly helped hone her cross-country skills. She and Fernhill Zoro skipped round to add 6.4 time penalties to her dressage of 37.2 – the same mark as Emma – to go second.
Isabel White completes the podium with her own Icarus and they too had an impressive trip around Ian Stark’s cross-country track, finishing some 30 seconds over the time to clock up 12.4 time penalties and end the day in third on 48.7.
Dressage leaders Molly Evans and Wellan Graffiti had a miscommunication at the second element of day’s most influential fence, the Speedi-Beet Double at fence 20, and collected 20 penalties, which relegated them down the order.
An elated Emma said; “It was amazing, I was very, very pleased with him. He felt really smooth all the way round – he hasn’t always been the best at long-format, but I really feel we’ve worked out a system now. He went all the way to the end and his time was brilliant – he made a good job of everything. He was my first horse – we bought him as a five-year-old and we’ve come through the levels together, so it was a bit of the blind leading the blind. He’s been very forgiving, it’s been half his inexperience and half mine. Having had the other horse [Icarus X], who’s very brave, I’m much more confident in the way I ride.
“I was really happy with the course. I actually hadn’t intended going straight at the Roundhouse until I saw the first few jump it brilliantly and I thought they were reading that really well. I always love it here, I love Ian’s courses – it’s the best track to prep them for the next level. The waters were really fun to ride this year – big and bold in, big out but still forgiving enough. It’s tough but fair.”
British rider Saffron Cresswell had a fall when going well with Vivendi Hero and the following statement was issued at the conclusion of the cross country:
Update: Saffron Cresswell
Rider Saffron Cresswell (GBR) had a fall on the cross-country course while competing in the CCI4*-L U25 at the Defender Bramham Horse Trials and was immediately attended to by the onsite medical team. She was transferred by road ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further assessment. She is comfortable and talking to her family.
Her horse Vivendi Hero was taken back to the stable area by the courtesy ambulance after being checked by the veterinary team and is uninjured.
The family request that their privacy is respected at this time.
The second horse inspection is at 09:00 for the U25 section, followed by the CCI4*-L, before the final jumping phase at 11.30 with the U25 prizes presented at 12:15. The eventing finale gets underway at 13.30 with our champion crowned at 14.30. The annual Bramham curtain-closer, the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix, starts at 16.15.
You can watch the eventing final phases live via Horse & Country TV with a subscription. Full running order and results are available on https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Two days of dressage have been completed with some exciting, and interesting, leaderboard shuffles.
Defender CCI4*S-S
We end day two of dressage in the short-format section with a completely new podium that has a distinctly Anglo-Asian feel.
The leaderboard had an early change when second-to-go Kazuma Tomoto for Japan, riding By Design JRA, a former ride of France’s Astier Nicholas, powered into the lead. The pairing know each other well, having represented the home side at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where they finished fourth, and that partnership – plus the expertise of long-term coach ‘Mr. Bramham’ himself, William Fox-Pitt – proved fruitful for a score of 24.5, to overtake compatriot and Thursday leader Ryuzo Kitajima and Be My Daisy.
Just before midday in the Defender Arena, the crowds began to swell with an air of anticipation due to the imminent arrival of eventing royalty. They weren’t disappointed because reigning European champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, owned by Archie and Michele Saul, took to the arena and proceeded to take the lead. The duo are, of course, in search of that all-important call up to the British team for Paris 2024, and today’s display will have certainly bolstered their chances.
Ros and ‘Walter’ looked silky smooth, with every move seemingly going to plan, and the Ground Jury rewarded them with percentages just over 78%, 76% and 77% from Robert Stevenson at E, Andrew Bennie at C and Anne-Marie Taylor at M respectively, which gave a final penalty score of 22.5 to take a decisive hold of the competition.
Ros was clearly pleased with their performance; “I’m delighted with him – I thought he was super all the way through, actually. In his test at Bicton, he was great, but just occasionally I felt like he was a bit in front of me, a little bit bright and sparky – he squealed a bit in the warm-up,” she explained.
“I’ve done a little bit more work with him here because I wanted to gauge how much I could afford to do. He’s always been quite a quiet horse, but he’s 12 now and really hitting maturity, so he feels the bee’s knees. We’ve just got to keep making sure we’ve got the right balance of calmness and expression at the same time, but I thought that today was a good balance.
“I’m working quite hard – I suppose you always do in dressage – but he’s a good lad. He likes to have his own little fun at times, but if you’ve got the brain in the right place, he’s really reliable. I was sitting in the lorry earlier, going through my test and thinking how I’d warm up, and I was thinking that if I’d got the warm-up right, I’d know because he is like that,” the Lincolnshire rider summed up.
China’s Alex Hua Tian went just a few horses later with his own Jilsonne van Bareelhof. The duo cut quite the dash as they navigated the arena, with many movements akin to what you’d expect to see from a pure dressage performance. There was much to like, despite a few small but expensive blips, and a final score of 23.8 neatly put them second, relegating Kazuma Tomoto to third and Ryuzo Kitajima to fourth.
The top five is completed by 2019 Bramham victors Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, owned Diana Bown, Samantha Wilson, Sally Lloyd-Baker and John Eyre. This duo is the epitome of partnership and know each other so well, which really resonated today with a sterling effort, only marred by an over-exuberant flying change to give 25.2.
The short-format section is in action in the Defender Arena over the coloured poles, expertly laid out by showjumping course designer Jason Abbs, from 08:30. This will be followed by their final cross-country phase from 12:30. Come 17:30, we should know who our Defender CCI4*-S champions are.
Defender CCI4*-L
With the dressage phase complete, it’s a very British affair in the leaderboard of the Defender CCI4*-L with a flurry of late entries into the top 10. Overnight leader Ros Canter, riding MHS Seventeen for Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston in this section, has been relegated to second by a late charge from Tom Jackson. Winner of the U25 section here at Bramham in 2014, Tom expertly piloted eye-catching grey Ask For Manchier, owned by S.H.E. Eventing AB, through the first phase of his CCI4*-L debut. All three judges awarded their well-presented test with +70% scores for a final penalty of 28.8.
After his test, Tom said; “I’m really pleased with him. He definitely hasn’t had the best of preparations leading into this, but he certainly kept his head in there. I left a few marks in there, so there’s room for improvement, but I’m very happy with how he coped in there.
“I was really pleased with the trot work, but in the canter he started to get a little behind me so we just missed the last change, which is frustrating because his changes are normally bang-on. He’s in first, we’ll take that! It’s his first time at this level, but hopefully he’s got enough mileage to tackle Ian’s course tomorrow,” he said of his ever-consistent partner.
Tom went on to elaborate on why the build-up hasn’t been smooth sailing, much to everyone’s surprise.
“I actually managed to break my leg six weeks [in a fall from a young horse] before Badminton, which hampered preparation for the horses I have here, but they’re experienced enough to cope with it. Thanks to the World Class Programme I wasn’t out long – Ash [Wallace, Athlete Health Lead for the British Equestrian World Class Programme] and her team were phenomenal in managing me so I could do a few events with less horses and build me back up so I was fully fit for Badminton, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Ros Canter is just 1.1 penalties adrift with MHS Seventeen, while the penultimate pairing of Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner, owned by Dinah Posford, Jules Carter and Stephen Posford, parachuted onto the podium with a 31.3.
World Class Podium Potential Pathway rider Max Warburton shone to go fourth with The Paske Syndicate’s Deerpairc Revelry, while Selina Miles and Cooley Snapchat, who won the CCI4*-S here last year, hold fifth.
The Defender CCI4*-L section open the day in the park, when they tackle Ian Stark’s swansong cross-country test from 09:00.
CCI4*-L U25
The lead in the U25 section is held by Ireland’s Molly Evans and Wellan Graffiti, known as Lulu. Molly has made her first ever trip to Bramham and the Yorkshire weather, spectacular surroundings and warm welcome has certainly made an impact on the rider from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland. Her final tune-up with Pammy Hutton FBHS certainly reaped rewards when she and Lulu lit up the arena for 33.1
“It didn’t start the way I planned,” said Molly. “She actually warmed up extremely really well. I was a bit worried I’d done too long because we used to just go pretty much straight in in the early days, but she went in and did a beautiful test. It’s a big atmosphere in there – the biggest she’s ever been in before, and me – but she took it all in her stride. My first halt, I knew it was square – a pleasant surprise – I just thought I just need to remember where I was going. There were a few bits that didn’t quite go to plan that I thought would cost us, but everything between was foot-perfect.
“This is the biggest competition we’ve ever done – it’d be our pinnacle just now. I’d hoped to have been here a few years earlier, but I got sick and she had to take a back seat. Five-star is her aim and it’s exciting to be here in this atmosphere. We get crowds in Ireland, but not like here. It was a real educational experience today for her and me – we got such a cheer coming out, which was lovely.
“People told me it was like a mini-Badminton and I didn’t believe them. They said I’d need to pull my socks up! When I got here I was like wow, this cross-country is huge! The place, the set-up, the tradestands, the members’ tent, the main arena, everything is just done so well.”
And her thoughts on the test ahead of her tomorrow across the country? “I love it! It’s fantastic, big, bold jumping and we can let the handbrake off – we’re looking forward to it!”
French athletes have a fantastic track record in this class and Johann Reim riding Chronos Dujo have kept up the trend for his countrymen. They scored 35.6 to go second, while Pony European Championship medalist Saffron Cresswell riding Barratt Eventing’s Vivendi Hero took third spot ahead of tomorrow’s all-important cross-country phase.
Coming up tomorrow
The showjumping for the Defender CCI4*-S in the main arena kicks off Super Saturday’s packed timetable at 08:30, while the first competitor in the CCI4*-L sets off on Ian Stark’s cross-country track in the park at 09:00.
For full start times and results, head over to Eventing Scores. You can livestream all the action with a subscription to Horse & Country TV.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
It’s billed as Thrilling Thursday and today duly lived up to the name here at the at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials. The sun shone bright, but a keen northerly wind kept the temperatures down to provide perfect conditions for horses and spectators alike.
NAF Five Star BE80 Championships
After two days in between the white boards, we crowned our new NAF Five Star BE80 champions after a day of change on the leaderboard that saw well-judged rounds rewarded.
A faultless day of jumping for Leicestershire-based rider Rachel Littlewood and her bay mare Fiancee promoted them one step up to the top of the podium and the 2024 championship accolade, adding nothing to their dressage score of 29.9. An emotional Rachel punched the air as she crossed the finish line of Ian Stark’s cross-country course, before giving her steed a big kiss after realising they’d taken the lead.
The original plan for ‘Lottie’ this year was to qualify for the Badminton Grassroots Championships, but a slight injury meant Bramham became the focus in order to give the duo the best chance to get back to full fitness. However, coming to Yorkshire with no expectations of doing well made today’s win even more special.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic, but incredibly nail-biting!” said Rachel after the prize-giving in the Defender Main Arena. “Dressage isn’t our strong point, so when we were second on day one I was overwhelmed with that! I was a little nervous going into today – the showjumps were a little on the small side for us and she’s prone to leaving a leg, but she was absolutely amazing! We had a few hairy moments cross-country, but she was still full of running at the end – I think she could have done it again! To do the lap of honour here has been something out of this world – I was in tears!”
Second place went to 18-year-old Beth Jones riding Fantasy Chilli, who added nothing to their dressage penalty score of 32.3. It was Deborah Burrell and her own Imperial Tangle who completed the top three on a score of 32.6.
Defender CCI4*-L
Reigning European champion Ros Canter heads the leaderboard in the showcase Defender CCI4*-L section, with Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston’s MHS Seventeen achieving the only sub-30 score of the day. The athletic bay, known as Vinnie, was previously piloted by Sara Bowe and Nicola Wilson, but Ros has partnered him for two years. After a slow start to their relationship due to inclement weather and a unsuccessful four-star debut here last year, they’re beginning to forge a true partnership.
A delighted Ros said; “I’m delighted with MHS Seventeen today. He did a personal best at Bicton and has come out and performed to that quality again. He’s a lovely horse who’s growing in confidence all of the time.”
In second, it’s last year’s CCI4*-S victors, Selina Miles and the Rucker’s Cooley Snapchat. They were ever-consistent to impress the judges, who all landed on a 67% plus score to give the pair 32.2 penalties. The top three is completed by Olympic-nominated rider Tom Jackson with Plot Twist B, owned by Mary Harris and Ruth McMullen, on 33.5.
Defender CCI4*-S
There’s a truly international feel to the top placings in the 83 runner-strong Defender CCI4*-S, with Japan leading and a pair of Irish flags to follow.
Bramham is being used as a key selection trial for the Japanese team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – today marks 50 days until the Opening Ceremony – and there are a selection of leading combinations here to fight for their place. New pairing Ryuzo Kitajima from Japan and Be My Daisy, owned by Riding Club Crane, put in a late challenge to take the lead with a stunning display that featured a number of nines from the judges and a score of 24.7. They dislodged Ireland’s Josephy Murphy, riding his own Calmaro, who stole the lead before lunch with a 27.3. Countryman Austin O’Connor is half a penalty behind on 27.8 with Lesley Rose’s Isazsa.
An elated Ryuzo commented: “I’m so pleased, so happy! I’ve just started riding her this year and I still have to know more about her. I was relaxed and she was relaxed, so it was good. To build our partnership, I started early this year and took her to Portugal so we could get qualified for Paris. She’s a mare, which can be good or bad, but today she was a princess!”
Bramham U25 CCI4*-L
The small but quality field in the Under-25 CCI4*-L got their campaign underway and it’s Britain’s Isabel White who paves the way riding her own Icarus. Their solid performance yielded a penalty score of 36.3 from the Ground Jury of Nick Burton, Angela Tucker and Xavier Le Sauce, who’s officiating at Paris this summer. Second spot is taken by Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor for owners Pippa Williams and Rebecca Velarde, while Cassie Sanger from the USA sits third with her own Redfield Fyre on 42.4.
Join us tomorrow for Fantastic Friday, when the CCI4* dressage reaches its conclusion and we discover who holds the cards ahead of the decisive jumping phases.
Results and start times on via www.bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults and full details, including info downloading on the Bramham app, from www.bramham-horse.co.uk
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by bramhamadmin | Jun 2, 2024 | Uncategorized
With football and cricket fever set to grip Britain in the coming days, the 50th anniversary Defender Bramham Horse Trials provides the perfect alternative sporting experience for all. Running 6 – 9 June at Bramham Park in Yorkshire, the event features top-flight eventing, entertainment for all the family and a fantastic day in a stunning setting. It’s our birthday year and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are just a matter of weeks away so the excitement level – otherwise known as the ‘Bramham buzz’ – is higher than ever.
The organisers of the Defender Bramham Horse Trials are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal will attend the final day and present the awards to the CCI-L 4 competition on the occasion of the event’s 50th anniversary. The Princess Royal, who competed at Bramham in its inaugural year in 1974 will join the celebrations on Sunday 9 June to watch the final show jumping phase of the competition before awarding the prizes. The Princess Royal is vice president of the chosen charity, The British Horse Society, and we are honoured to have her in attendance.
With over 130 entries from an international roster of ten country flags, it’s a truly quality field this year with riders from China, South Africa, Ireland, France, The Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Italy, the USA and of course Great Britain. The three sections of CCI4* eventing competition, the showcase Defender CCI-L 4*, the Defender CCI-S 4* and the CCI-L U25 4*, are littered with riders who class Bramham as a happy hunting ground with no less than ten previous winners back for more. The entry list also contains seven of the nine British riders currently in line for Olympic selection – three of which are bringing their potential Games rides – a fantastic chance to see these combinations in action before the final team is announced in late June.
Reigning European Champion Ros Canter brings Lordships Graffalo, Tom McEwen rides JL Dublin and Kitty King partners Vendredi Biats – this duo were winners at Bramham in 2019 and both Ros and Tom have topped the podium in the past. Reigning U25 British Champion Bubby Upton also features as do Emily King, Tom Jackson and Bramham regular Oliver Townend, who originally hails from Huddersfield.
There’s particularly strong Dutch, Japanese and Irish contingents heading to Yorkshire who look to have chosen Bramham as a good test ahead of their selection for the Games.
Other previous winners making a welcome return include Zara Tindall, Izzy Taylor, Alex Hua Tian and Yoshiaki Oiwa. Last year’s CCI4*-S victors Selina Miles and Cooley Snapchat are also back but this time around will be looking for top honours in the CCI-L 4* section.
Local riders bidding for success at Bramham include Scarborough’s Phil Brown riding Harry Robinson in the CCI-S 4*, Dewsbury’s Kristina Hall-Jackson will contest the CCI-L 4* with Hawk Eye – the duo was 18th last year and it’s a Bramham debut for Yarm rider Harrison Colling with Trevi Fountain.
Bramham is once again delighted to host over 60 of Britian’s ambitious amateurs alongside the international classes as they bid to become the NAF Five Star BE80 Champion. The competition has its own dedicated area of the park while still being an integral feature of the event site and gives riders from all over the country their very own stage to shine on. They start on Tuesday 4 June with two days of dressage before the jumping action as part of a packed Thursday programme when they tackle the coloured poles in the show jumping and then on to cross country to decide the final placings including crowning the champion.
While 2024 will be very much an event of anniversary celebration, there will be another huge milestone to mark, the swansong year for course designer Ian Stark who is retiring after 15 years of masterminding the feature fences and routes which Bramham is renowned for. Anyone that knows Ian will be aware that he wouldn’t want to leave without giving riders and spectators something memorable…and he hasn’t disappointed. Working with the skillful course builder David Evans, Ian has set a fantastic test befitting of a birthday year and the perfect sign off. The route and fences are currently being kept under wraps but all will be revealed shortly on the CrossCountry App – download or visit and keep checking!
As ever, Bramham isn’t just all about eventing, there’s a host of additional equestrian action, shopping galore, delicious eateries – including a dedicated Food Hall – and entertainment for all the family around the site and across our two competition arenas supported by Defender and Top Spec.
Lunchtime on Thursday shines the spotlight on dressage with Melissa Chapman and team doing a dazzling display showcasing all the moves while on Friday, there’s a stallion display. The fantastic Kirkborne Spaniels will be in action on Saturday and Sunday with their working dog display as well as holding scurry and agility sessions for our canine visitors.
Bramham’s 2024 charity partner The British Horse Society will host a road safety demo on Friday. Keeping riders and horses safe on Britain’s roads is a fundamental part of their work, including the ‘Dead Slow’ campaign – this is a not-to-be-missed session for riders, cyclists and motorists alike. You can also visit them all week on stand 117 to learn more about all the work they do around lobbying, education, welfare and safety. With safety in mind, the on-event St John’s Ambulance team will be running first aid sessions at noon, 13.00 and 14.00 on both Saturday and Sunday – they’re stationed in the first aid area, behind the Secretary’s tent.
The young hearted amongst the crowd will want to head to the area below the Top Spec arena where Fantastic Faces will be offering face painting and rosette making alongside the trend sweeping the nation, Hobby Horse Adventures.
Our bustling tradestand village features over 120 outlets for you to browse, sample and buy – there’s something for all tastes, wants and desires – from chutney to china, saddles to scarves, saddles to safaris, there’s plenty of choice. Our clothing partner Joules has created a range to mark our 50th anniversary which will feature on their stand, number 79, or you can view and order online. Friday night is late shopping evening and you can join us for FREE from 4pm with shops staying open until 20.00 – what better way to end the working week and get the weekend off to the perfect start.
NEW for this year is the app – the perfect way to have the Defender Bramham Horse Trials lowdown in one place, your phone. There’s a version for both iOS and Android and it’s free to download. Find out what’s on and when – you can even build your own itinerary – navigate the tradestands and receive notifications. The top tip is to download before you arrive!
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “The Park has been coming to life over the last few weeks and the Bramham team is putting the final touches in place to welcome everyone to our 50th anniversary celebrations. We’ve had good drying weather mixed with showers with a reasonably dry forecast so we’re anticipating the ground to be good. We have a world class entry, the course is looking superb and the tented village is taking shape, we’re ready for you!”
For those who haven’t secured their Bramham tickets yet, remember prices rise on Monday 3 June so there’s just a matter of hours to secure the discount – and don’t’ forget, British Horse Society members get 25% off too on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. It’s best to buy tickets online before you arrive on site – it makes your arrival smooth and simple.
There’s a range of ticket options starting from £16 – rising to £19 on Monday – for the over 12s. There are weekend and season saver packages as well as an upgrade to access our arena side Members’ Area. Don’t forget to pop a commemorative 50th anniversary mug in your basket too – they’re limited edition so don’t miss out!
If you can’t join us on Saturday for the showcase cross-country where the riders tackle Ian Stark’s signature courses, worry not, you won’t miss any of the action as you can watch with a subscription via Horse & Country TV – it’s just £5.99 per month – there’s a discount for British Eventing members – and no contract is required.
Our website hosts the latest news and ticketing information or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Sign up to the ‘Bramham Buzz’ digital newsletter – a daily update from the event with news, views and info – completely free! You can sign up online – it takes seconds and you can opt out at any time. Post event, here will also be news throughout the year and you can get ahead with planning your 2025 Bramham adventure!
For more, visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk, 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
