by bramhamadmin | Apr 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
This year’s 50th anniversary Defender Bramham International Horse Trials, 6 – 9 June, has been bolstered by an early birthday present in the form of backing from leading insurance broker and financial services company Lycetts.
Lycetts’ support will cover Bramham’s infamous Thursday night welcome party, which will take on added sparkle this year as we toast 50 fantastic years of eventing at Bramham.
There will also be a fence on Ian Stark’s grand finale CCI4* cross country course built by David Evans proudly boasting the Lycetts name.
Lycetts – which specialises in equine, rural, private client and commercial insurances and is bolstered by financial services and risk management teams – has strong links to the eventing world. Recent partnerships include the Event Horse Owners Association and sponsorship of the Grantham Cup at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, the first major fixture of the eventing calendar.
The company have been providers of insurance services to the Bramham Park Estate for a number of years and the team is delighted to welcome them to support the horse trials in such a monumental year.
“As supporters of Bramham for many years, we are excited to be a part of this landmark celebration,” said Edmund Sword, Divisional Director, “Partnering with Bramham in its 50th year allows us to showcase our dedication not only to the estate, but also to the broader equine community. We are committed to ensuring that the welcome party and our presence on the cross-country course leave a lasting impression that commemorates this special jubilee.”
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard added: “It’s great to have the Lycetts brand join our family of sponsors and supporters in our 50th year.
“Having worked closely with the team day to day on the Bramham Park Estate, it’s fantastic they’re now supporting our equestrian showcase in June. We look forward to welcoming them to the event and working with them to make this year’s drinks party a memorable one in celebration of our golden anniversary,” he continued.
Tickets to this year’s special birthday Defender Bramham Horse Trials are available online and the best way to save time and money is to pre-purchase. Admission tickets start at £16 for over 12s and there’s further savings on weekend and season passes.
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 2024 celebrations at the Defender Bramham Horse Trials!
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Bramham Media Contact: Winnie Murphy, Press Officer – winsome22@live.co.uk or 07967 186556.
by bramhamadmin | Apr 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
You’re cordially invited to Bramham’s big five-o!Spring is in the air, lambs are frolicking in the Park and plans are in motion for this year’s ‘fabulous at fifty’ anniversary of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials – and we’d love to see supporters old and new join in the celebrations. Running 6 – 9 June, Yorkshire’s premier equestrian fixture in the iconic Park promises a packed programme with something for everyone, so grab your tickets, get into celebration mode and head to Bramham!
The jewel in the event’s crown is the world-renown eventing competitions with the Defender CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S taking center stage alongside the Under 25 CCI4* to crown a British champion. With selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just a matter of weeks after Bramham, entries across all three sections should feature some of the world’s best as they vie for a spot to represent their country in Versailles.
Bramham is notorious for producing thrilling cross-country courses and this year won’t disappoint. After 15 years, Ian Stark will deliver his swansong course and there’s little doubt he’ll want his final Bramham foray to be a classic. He and craftsman builder David Evans recently spent time in the Park outlining their vision and plans…you don’t want to miss it.
Bramham will also host the NAF Five Star BE 80 Championship for Britain’s most talented and ambitious amateur combinations. Riders from all over the country have been busily qualifying for a coveted chance to ride on the hallowed Yorkshire turf, tackle a smaller version of Ian Stark’s cross-country test and realise the dream of competing in a three-day event.
However, it’s not all about eventing at Bramham – there’s a host of other equestrian competitions too and entries are now open. 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 90 and 100cm are a competitor, and spectator favorite on Sunday while local Pony Club teams will be in action all weekend with show jumping and mounted games – with friendly rivalry, great camaraderie and vocal supporters, these competitions are always a fun watch.
We’re delighted to have Kirkbourne Spaniels joining us in 2024 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.
Another huge draw at Bramham is the tradestand village. With over 160 outlets selling just about anything, it’s a shoppers’ paradise – equestrian, lifestyle, luxury, bargain, unique or bonkers, you’ll find it! Title sponsors Defender will of course be there, as will our 2024 charity partners, The British Horse Society, who’ve been a part of the event since year one in 1974. Make a point of visiting their stand to learn about their work across welfare, education, lobbying and safety.
A visit to Bramham is always special but why not make this year just that bit more magical by booking into the Bramham Hideaway, our luxury glamping site at the heart of the event. With cosy and stylish accommodation in tents for two or four, there’s dedicated facilities, electricity, WiFi and a daily housekeeping visit so you can expect all your home comforts – and more! Early booking is advised as this really is the ultimate Bramham experience.
For those who prefer to camp over glamp, 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 is nearly sold out!
The best way to get your Bramham tickets is in advance – you’ll save time and money! Admission tickets start at £16 for over 12s 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 too. 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.
As our charitable partner, all British Horse Society members have access to a 25% discount on Thursday, Friday and Sunday tickets so make sure you have your membership number handy when booking.
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “It’s a magical time on the Bramham Estate as the Park comes to life after its winter slumber and we begin our event preparations in earnest and as an Olympic year, there’s added excitement. It was fantastic to have Ian [Stark] and David [Evans] with us, they always bring big ideas and huge enthusiasm, and it’s always a privilege to see their thoughts become reality in the Park. Ian will certainly want to sign off with something special. We’re also working with the teams at Defender and The British Horse Society on their plans for June – across everyone we work with there’s a real feel of celebration as we look to mark our 50th anniversary together, and with our competitors, their connections and our visitors.”
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Bramham Media Contact: Winnie Murphy, Press Officer – winsome22@live.co.uk or 07967 186556.
by bramhamadmin | Mar 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
Bramham celebrates 50-year milestone with Defender
This year, the Bramham International Horse Trials celebrates 50 golden years of eventing, and now, the birthday celebrations can well and truly begin with the announcement that Defender is title sponsor of the fixture.
The ‘Defender Bramham International Horse Trials’, runs 6 – 9th June in Yorkshire. CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S sections will be dedicated Defender competitions alongside the CCI4*-L U25, with a comprehensive timetable of competition running throughout the event; disciplines including the NAF Five Star BE 80 Championships, topflight jumping, Arena Eventing, Pony Club jumping and mounted games, showing and much more filling the four-day programme.
Anthony Bradbury, Marketing Director, JLR (UK) said, “Land Rover has been associated with Bramham’s eventing fixtures since 1974, and we are delighted to be part of their 50th birthday celebrations with Defender.”
Nicholas Pritchard, Event Director, Bramham continued, “Signing this milestone agreement with JLR really is the perfect way to mark our 50th anniversary, we couldn’t be more delighted to have the Defender name alongside Bramham.
“The brand, the vehicles and the support have been an integral part of the event for many years and this next evolution in the partnership is fantastic. We’re working with the Defender team to now plan a double celebration in June! We look forward to welcoming everyone to our idyllic slice of Yorkshire for what promises to be a memorable birthday year,” he continued.
The event box office is open for tickets, membership, camping and the boutique Bramham Hideaway glamping site – book before Sunday 2 June for some advantageous discounts on tickets via www.bramham-horse.co.uk. The website also has full timetable details covering four busy days of equestrian delights plus the information on shopping, eating and enjoying your Bramham visit – plus more on our 2024 charitable partner, The British Horse Society.
Keep up to date with us on social media – we’re on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so you won’t miss any of the news, updates and event info.
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Bramham Media Contact: Winnie Murphy, Press Officer – winsome22@live.co.uk or 07967 186556.
by bramhamadmin | Dec 21, 2023 | Uncategorized
Join Bramham for golden jubilee celebrations in 2024!
With the festive period upon us and a new year just days away, the Bramham International Horse Trials six-month countdown can begin! Set to run 6 – 9 June, it promises to be a historical year as we mark 50 years of eventing at the iconic Yorkshire venue – and of course, there’s the selection for the Paris Olympic Games up for grabs as part of this year’s competition for a number of the world’s best horse and rider combinations. Annually, the fixture partners with a charity, and for the 50th anniversary, who better than , The British Horse Society.
A programme for the first ever event hosted by the Lane Fox family in 1974 lists an organising committee of 12 under the directorship of George Lane Fox and a Junior and two Standard sections were held – with the entry list reading like a who’s who of eventing. HRH The Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips, Stephen Clarke, Jane Holderness-Roddam, Mary Gordon Watson all rode with the USA’s Bruce Davidson taking the top honours. As is the case today, topflight show jumping competitions were also held with Harvey Smith, Malcolm Pyrah and Lionel Dunning on the start sheets. Much of the land used originally is still part of the event’s footprint in the iconic park but the shopping village has nearly trebled in size!
Fifty years on, Bramham still attracts eventing’s elite and in an Olympic year, the focus on this idyllic Yorkshire will be more important than ever as the date makes it one of the final selection and qualification opportunities for teams from around the globe.
The British Horse Society (BHS) supports horses, riders and those who care about them, and the Yorkshire team has been involved at Bramham since the horse trials started in 1974, making them the perfect choice.
The BHS’s work includes making riding safer through road safety and saving historical bridleways, providing grants to hundreds of young people as they embark on an exciting career in equestrianism. As well as working closely with owners/carers to ensure they are fully equipped with the information needed to give their horse the best life possible.
Amy Clements, The British Horse Society (BHS) Regional Manager for Yorkshire said; “We’re delighted to have been named the official charity partner for Bramham Horse Trials 2024. The British Horse Society has attended the event since it first opened its doors 50 years ago, so it is a real honour to have been chosen to partner with them during such a significant year. Being the nominated charity is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness and money for all our charitable work during the exciting event. It’s opportunities like this that make a real difference to us, and enable us to continue to support horses, their owners and those that care for them by improving welfare, safety, access, participation and education.”
The Bramham team are finalising the timetable, and all the showcase competitions make a return. The showcase CCI4*-L, the Under 25 CCI4*-L and the DEFENDER CCI4*-S sections will provide the main viewing with cross country courses designed by Olympian Ian Stark, in his swansong year at Bramham. The country’s best grass roots combinations 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 also part of the bumper programme.
Away from the equine action in one of the most stunning parks in Yorkshire, there’s a bustling trade stand village of over 130 outlets, a food hall and catering and refreshment options for every taste. At Bramham, we champion 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. More news on that to come.
The Bramham Box Office opens on 8 January 2024 to secure tickets, memberships and camping passes. A gift voucher could make the perfect last minute Christmas gift! You can purchase £10 and £20 options to be used as part or full payment towards tickets online by 2 June 2024.
The BHS Shop also has a great range to help you over the festive period, and beyond, including last minute Christmas cards, books, a selection of merchandise and items for stable and yard. Or why not make a donation in lieu of a gift or cards this year?
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented, “This year’s event was memorable…but 2024 promises to be even better. We’re proud to mark 50 years in the eventing calendar and hope many will come and join us as we celebrate and reflect on how much has changed since George Lane Fox had a vision to run a northern version of Badminton and Burghley. It feels extra special to have the BHS involved as our charity as they’ve had a stand at every one of our 50 years, just incredible! An Olympic year always has an extra buzz about it and with many riders heading to Britain ahead of Paris to prepare, we should be in for fabulous competitions. I’d like to sign off for 2023 with a thank you to all who make the horse trials possible – the riders and their teams, the sponsors, the volunteers and the spectators. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you all – see you in 2024!”
Follow us on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as we build towards a 50th anniversary show to remember – a visit to the website www.bramham-horse.co.uk will give you all the info you need to plan your visit during 6 – 9 June 2024.
Bramham International Horse Trials
Winnie Murphy, Press Officer
E | winsome22@live.co.uk
M | 07967 186556
Editor’s note:
The British Horse Society
The British Horse Society is an equine charity dedicated to education, equine welfare, protecting and increasing access to bridleways and equestrian routes, and safety for horse and riders. The Society’s thriving and active community of staff and volunteers are committed to improving the lives of horses everywhere.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 11, 2023 | Uncategorized
Pippa Funnell is used to historic moments. Her glittering career has been full of the highs and lows of a tough sport and, today, she added a new chapter to her eventing memoirs with a fourth win at Bramham, making it a victory in each of the last four decades – 1992, 2002, 2010 and now, 2023.
Riding a relatively new partner in Sarah Ross’ MCS Maverick, Pippa arrived at Bramham in a relaxed mood with a single horse to run, intent on a nice, quiet week and ensuring everyone was aware she wasn’t going to be competitive. Her only mission was to learn more about the talented but quirky 10-year-old. Perhaps that mindset took the pressure off because the Surrey-based rider has ridden as well this week as any in her extensive career.
Pippa and Maverick went into the cross-country phase in second place and a copybook clear round, despite the horse’s relative inexperience, put them into the lead with just 1.2 time penalties. However, a victory on the final day was by no means secured – hot on their heels and just 0.03 of a penalty behind sat Pippa’s good friend Piggy March, riding Brookfield Cavalier Cruise for Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry. Despite being a little further back, Kiwi Jesse Campbell retained his third spot after two phases with Gambesie, with two time faults to end day two on 31.4.
All 31 combinations that came forward to the final horse inspection were declared fit to compete by the ground jury, and so the battle for the 2023 Bramham title began. With less than a fence separating the top five, the pressure was on – it would be a day of ‘clear rounds win prizes’.
Tom McEwen made a move up the leaderboard with the beautiful mare Luna Mist, thanks to a clear round that put the pressure on the top three. Jesse Campbell and Gambesie hunted round, neat as a pin, for an all-important clear. Next in was Piggy March and if there’s one rider who eats pressure for breakfast, it’s this one She rode a foot-perfect round with ‘Fletcher’ and was clear all the way to finish on 30.8.
Pippa had nothing in hand – not even a second over time – and only a faultless round would do. She would need to draw on every ounce of her hard-won experience to guide this unfamiliar, inexperienced horse around Jason Abbs’ course. Of course, Pippa has jumped to the highest level in eventing and has a second career in showjumping, so the Maverick couldn’t have been in better hands – and the pair made it look easy. A clear jumping round inside the time meant it was victory for Pippa – 31 years on from her first win at the Yorkshire venue and the perfect birthday present for her owner.
With a wry smile, Pippa said: “He’s just exceeded all my expectations. I feel a bit of a fraud being here – I genuinely didn’t know how he was going to be. I’ve had some fantastic spins on him, but I’ve not run him competitively. He was absolutely super, I thought, really class. If I can strengthen him up and he improves from this point, I’m really excited.
“I’ve been really quiet and patient with him this week. I didn’t even want to jump him this morning – I just kept him relaxed and did some polework to shorten him. He’ll certainly sleep well after this – he’s been running on adrenaline! I’m really chuffed – you often question if you’re doing it the right way when you’ve got a horse that wants to go faster than you want to. I’m also chuffed of the owner, Sarah is so nice. I’m just disappointed she’s not here, but her family organised a big party ages ago for her birthday.
“I wanted to bring him here to find out what have I got, whether it was worth putting all that time in at my age – at the moment, it’s definitely been worth it! It’s amazing how special winning a big one is when you get to my stage, I really can’t tell you,” she said with a tinge of emotion.
Piggy was clearly delighted with her young debutante, too. “He was cool, really good,” she said. “First one and I’m excited – he felt really careful and easy today, it didn’t take anything out of him. It didn’t go as well as maybe I hoped but, until you do it, you don’t know and it’s tough out there. The cross-country is about as tough as it is for a four-star, and to deal with it well and come out and jump nicely is great.
“He was really brave yesterday, came home full of running and pulled up amazingly. It’s an exciting feeling when you get one that runs around Bramham and it feels fun and easy. It’s testament to the horse – he’s a very straightforward, level character and has a very old head on younger shoulders,” she added.
Third-placed Jesse Campbell made sure that the New Zealand fern adorned the results sheet with cute chestnut Gambesie, for owner Sarah Moffat. He explained the key to his successful jumping round was some influence from a familiar face on the showjumping circuit.
“Yeah, he was cool. He’s a super jumper and we managed to have a really cool jumping session on Monday with coach Shane Breen. I sent him a message last night – he just said ‘relax and just remember how to be a showjumper’. The horse just did it all for me, he is magic.”
And so the curtain comes down on Bramham 2023 – we’ve been blessed with great weather, bumper crowds and fantastic displays of the horse-human bond. Thank you to all who make it happen – our loyal sponsors, the legion of 500 volunteers, our fantastic fans, the riders, grooms and owners and, of course, the equine heroes.
Put the dates in your diary now to join us next year – 6–11 June 2024.
Full results – Times & Results | Bramham (bramham-horse.co.uk)
