by bramhamadmin | Jun 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
It was a day of sunshine, showers and super scores on dressage day one of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials. In the showcase Defender CCI4*-L section, Sarah Bullimore swooped to take the lead with homebred Corimiro when last to go with a 24.6 and in the CCI4*-S, France’s Sebastien Cavaillon tops the day one podium riding Elipso de la Vigne on 26.9.
Defender CCI4*-L
Double Olympic team gold medallist Tom McEwen set the early pace in the Defender CCI4*-L section with James and Jo Lambert’s Irish-bred Cecelia Cobra, who’s making his long format debut at Bramham. Their scor of 33.4 when fifth to go set the benchmark for others to meet.
The duo held first spot up until the lunchbreak loomed and it was the turn of Surrey rider Tom Jackson with Helen Scott’s Hawk Eye. The tall bay gelding was at home in the Defender arena here at Bramham having been here twice before with former rider Kristina Hall-Jackson and that clearly gave him confidence as the duo pulled out a 32.7 to go top of the roster.
Romeike swoops at the lunchbreak
Tom’s lead was however short lived as the next to go, Swedish rider Louise Romeike, riding Madeleine Brugman, Hinrich Romeike and her own eye-catching grey Caspian 15 spectacularly swept into the lead when last to go before the break. They were the first combination to post the first sub-30 score of the day with 27.4, with the Ground Jury of Christian Steiner (President), Nikki Herbert and James Rooney all in agreement with less than a percent between their scores.
Bullimore produces a dramatic end to the day
The final session of the day was a repeat performance as Louise could rest easy in the lead until the two penultimate riders came into play. The last but one combination Barnie Brotherton, a new member of the World Class Podium Potential Pathway, with Naomi Brotherton’s DHI King Nelson arrived at Bramham brimming with confidence on the back of their senior team debut at Bicton just a few weeks ago when they were part of the victorious Nations Cup team. That confidence shone with a polished performance in their first attempt at a CCI4*-L with 29.4 to go second behind Louise.
All eyes were then on the final rider of the day, Sarah Bullimore and the next of her homebred chestnut dynasty, Corimiro. With a yard of talent courtesy of her 2015 Senior European Championship partner and now foundation mare Lilly Corinne, ‘Milo’ is the next to follow in his mother’s footsteps and with a podium finish less than a month ago at the Belsay CCI4*-S, Sarah felt he was ready to come to Braham.
The test began brightly with the first halt earning nine, eight and eight from the judges and there was not a single score below seven for the reminder of the test. As it began, the test ended with eight, eight and nine from the judges – a super end and a final score of 24.6 to take a 2.8 penalty lead.
“He was just fabulous!” beamed Sarah of her homebred like a proud parent. “He’s only a nine-year-old and got here yesterday and was a bit ‘hot to trot’ so I thought perhaps he’s going to be a bit wild. To be fair, he loves an atmosphere, he loves crowds when we did the familiarisation yesterday, all he wanted to do was walk along the far side and look at all the trade stands in the crowd.
“He loves it busy and actually almost the busier it is, he’ll relax more. He’s a real active person but then when he knows it’s busy, he’ll go and sleep so he’s yeah, he’s quite cool in an atmosphere. He’s just a dream. I’m so lucky to, you know, jump out of bed and be able to ride him every morning. He is an absolutely pleasure to train and he just, you know, he would be a little bit hot like his mum, but in a good way, he’s got a fantastic brain and he just wants to do the right thing, he’s a pleasure to train,” she said.
With an eye on Saturday’s cross-country test, what does Sarah make of Andy Heffernan’s debut Bramham course?
“I think he’s done a fabulous job. It looks really, really good. He’s not softened and taken away from Bramham, but just in a couple of places made, it slightly kinder than it may have been in in previous years. There are enough questions out there and I think he’s done a fantastic job, and I’m really excited to get out there on Saturday and give it our best shot.”
The excitement in the Bullimore household is double fold as Sarah explained; We’re actually watching monitors at home as well at the moment because we’ve got twin full siblings of Milo due this week, which wasn’t really great planning. I’m hoping with the cooler weather and the showers that they’ll at least cross their legs until we get home on Sunday night, or Monday!”
So, could it be a double champagne celebration for Sarah this week? There’s the small matter of another full day of dressage tomorrow and plenty of jumping to tackle first but what a fairytale Bramham this might be for the Bullimores.
Defender CCI4*-S
It was a busy morning for Tom Jackson as before he played a key role in the Defender CCI4*-L top placings, he was in the arena bright and early with HH Moonwalk, owned by Hambro Sport Horses and a sprightly 32.0 set the bar for the rest to match. Just a few horses later, renowned dressage specialist Alex Hua Tian, a Bramham winner in 2016, lived up to the billing with Kate Willis’s Chicko with a polished performance to score 30.1 and put the Chinese flag at the top of the leaderboard.
Lucky double delivers
Like Alex and Chicko, Tom Woodward and Low Moor Lucky find themselves at Bramham
after their Badminton CCI5* plans didn’t quite go to plan. Tom and ‘Lucky’ did have a dream start to their debut at the iconic Gloucestershire fixture when they found themselves atop the leaderboard after their dressage so hopes were high that they could get their Bramham campaign underway in a similar fashion.
The hope became reality and Tom, a World Class Podium Potential Pathway rider, expertly guided a horse who he’s partnered from Pony Club to five star around the arena to impress the judging panel. The final score of 28.1 was the first to go under 30 with overall percentage scores ranging from 75% to 68.96% and the Gloucestershire rider found him self in familiar territory leading the dressage at a prestigious competition.
Bramham regular Piggy March was the next likely challenger to the lead with Susie Wood’s Cooley Goodwood and while the striking grey showed some great work, their score of 31.5 wasn’t enough to topple Tom but it looked good enough to give them at least a top eight finish.
French flair takes top spot
The final rider to go before the afternoon break was seasoned French rider Sebastien Cavaillon with Elipso de la Vigne, who is by the prolific jumping sire Arko. Sebastien has been to Bramham before and despite not having a happy trip last time, still rates the event as a favorite to prove your horse. The duo was amongst the French team reserves for last summer’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games and have a place at the FEI Eventing European Championships at Blenheim in Oxfordshire this September in their sights.
A superb 26.9 from the Ground Jury of Judy Hancock (President), Tim Downes and Xavier Le Sauce rocketed them into to the lead, relegating Tom and Lucky to second. However, they sit best U25 combination, a national title he’d very much like to take. Alex is third and Piggy fourth while Tom Jackson completes the top five.
Sebastien commented; “It was a nice test, my horse was a little tense with the people. He’s very good, nice paces and I was very happy with him. We bought him as a five year old and have brought him up the levels from young horses to four star – and he’s won twice at the level.
“I’ve had a first look at the course and it’s, well, very Bramham! It’s big with long gallops which is good. In France we often have courses with many twists but this is better for the horses. It’s a big test with lots of efforts and ups and downs, a good test.”
Friday dressage finale
Our final dressage day gets underway at 09.30 in the morning, with the Defender CCI4*-S resuming first and the Defender CCI4*-L follows at 10:30. In the Top-Spec Arena it’s all eyes on the equine eventing stars of the future with four and five-year-old qualifiers for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Championships.
You can follow all the action with times, scores and all the info via the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials app – just download from your preferred app store. You can catch up with on socials too – we’re on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Don’t forget, if you’re coming to watch in person, save time at the gate and buy online before you arrive.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
There was a full-on festival vibe as the 2025 edition of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials got underway with the first horse inspection for the showpiece Defender CCI4*-L section. With a dress theme of ‘A touch of festival’ – in homage to the Bramham estate also hosting the Leeds Festival every year – some 64 combinations from 10 nations came forward under the Ground Jury of Christian Steiner (AUT and President), Nikki Herbert (GBR) and James Rooney (IRL). All but one passed, with Irish rider Austin O’Connor choosing to withdraw one of his two rides, Ventura Rock, owned by Kate Jarvey, from the holding box.
At Bramham, we’re all about the style and, thanks to generous support from HiHo Silver, we once again recognised the best dressed combinations. The female award went to Daisy Berkeley, while Tom Crisp took the men’s accolade – both riders fully embracing the festival theme. The four-legged athletes also looked resplendent, thanks to the expertise by the grooms, and it was Michael Stenning’s United 36, trotted up by rider Tom Jackson and prepared by groom Chloe Whitelam, who claimed the British Horse Feeds Fibre-Beet Best Turned Out award.
We head into the first day of dressage with 64 combinations, with the roster headed by defending champion Harry Meade, who arrived in Yorkshire to the news he’s now new world number one in the FEI eventing rankings – a first in his illustrious career. Having had a spring season to remember, with four top six finishes across the two five-star events – Lexington and Badminton – Harry comes to Bramham bang in form and in the mood to keep his name on the Defender trophy. His two rides are Abigail Bernard’s Jet Fighter, drawn third to go tomorrow, and Cooley Anything You Like, owned by James Midgeley and Gale Scoulier, who will go on Friday.
Other names to watch in the Defender CCI4*-L include Tom McEwen with James and Jo Lambert’s Cecelia Cobra, Izzy Taylor riding SBH Big Wall for Jane Timmis, Bubby Upton and her own and the Five Time Syndicate’s Its Cooley Time, Zara Tindall and Class Affair, owned by the Gledhill Stud and Gemma Stevens with Chilli King, owned by Chris and Clare Mathias and Christopher and Lisa Stone. All of these riders have stood atop the Bramham podium at events past and will be looking for a repeat.
In the 11-nation strong Defender CCI4*-S, which this year incorporates the British Under-25 Championship, the entry roster is topped by reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham, who has two horses entered here, both owned by Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund. Goliath du Loir and Gypsie du Loir are both bred by Pierre Gouye, who notably also produced her World Champion partner, Banzai du Loir. Piggy March, a winner here in 2004, brings forward a new ride – none other than 2023 CCI4*-L winning horse under Pippa Funnell, MCS Maverick, owned by the Maidwell Mavericks. International challenge will certainly come from names such Alex Hua Tian (CHN), Sofia Sjoborg (SWE), Astier Nicholas (FRA), Susie Berry (IRL) and Caroline Powell (NZL).
Dressage gets underway in the morning, with the Defender CCI4*-S first up at 09:10 under the presiding Ground Jury of Judy Hancock (GBR and President), Tim Downes (GBR) and Xavier Le Sauce (FRA). The Defender CCI4*-L follows on in the adjacent arena at 10:30. There’s also a full day of showing action in the Top-Spec Arena to add to the first full day of equestrian action at Bramham.
You can follow all the action with times, scores and all the info via the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials app – just download from your preferred app store. You can catch up with on socials too – we’re on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
If you’re planning on joining us, but haven’t purchased your tickets yet, save time at the gate and buy online before you arrive.
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!
