It’s Bramham week and we are buzzing!
With the weather forecast set fair, a world class entry and a park looking picture perfect, this year’s Bramham International Horse Trials (6 – 11 June) promises to be a festival of equestrian action, topflight entertainment and a feast on the senses. Everyone is cordially invited to visit one of Yorkshire’s finest locations to experience first-hand the ‘Bramham buzz’…
The eventing entry list over the three sections – the show case CCI-L 4*, the CCI-L 4* U25 and the DEFENDER CCI-S 4* is an impressive roster with nine international flags represented with 141 combinations currently entered. Nine riders in this year’s field are are previous winners at the venue including former world champions Ros Canter and Zara Tindall with three and two horses respectively. Among Ros’s entries is Izilot DHI who topped the CCI4*-S last year – he goes in the CCI4-L 4* this year.
Other British names who’ve won previously at Bramham include Olympic team gold and individual silver medalist with three rides, Pippa Funnell with one runner in the CCI4*-L and Piggy March – fresh from her CCI-L 4*win at Irish fixture Millstreet – with two horses.
International names who may be challenging the home side include Alex Hua Tian (CHN), Josephine Schnaufer-Volkel (GER), Bill Levett (AUS), Susie Berry (IRL), Astier Nicolas (FRA), James Avery (NZL), Michael Winter (CAN), Gaspard Maksud (FRA) and Jesse Campbell (NZL).
Notable other British challengers also include Kirsty Chabert who brings three of her homebred ‘Team Opposition’ horses in Loire, who was third in the CCI4*-L last year, Heraldik Girl and Aphrodite Opposition, Sarah Bullimore and her 2021 European individual bronze medallist Corouet plus Evita AP while Harry Meade will be the busiest rider over the few days with four horses across the two senior sections.
Local riders bidding for success at Bramham include Scarborough’s Phil Brown riding Harry Robinson in the CCI-S 4* while Dewsbury’s Kristina Hall-Jackson has two rides in the CCI-S4*in Igor B and Hawk Eye. Kristina will be doing a vlog throughout her time at Bramham to give a behind the scenes view of what competing at the iconic venue is like.
In the CCI-L 4* U25, Britain’s Bubby Upton will be the bookie’s favourite to take the title with Magic Roundabout IV but French talent Morgane Euriat riding Baccarat D Argonne will put up a strong challenge having been sixth here last year. Richard Coney has two horses, while Max Warburton has been in good form this spring. Who will take the accolade of British Under 25 Champion in 2023?
Multi-Olympic, World and European medalist Ian Stark has designed a stunner of a cross country course as ever which take in the park’s best features while builder extraordinaire David Evans matched his vision with his stunning artistry to produce fences which are a work of art. You’ll be able to get the full lowdown on the courses via the CrossCountry App.
In tandem with the international sections, over 70 of Britain’s best amateurs will be competing to become the NAF Five Star BE80 Champion 2023. This is the second year Bramham has played host to this prestigious grass roots competition, and they have their own dedicated area of the park with a taste of the big time. They get underway on Tuesday 5 June with two days of dressage before ‘terrific Thursday’ when they take on the show jumping and Ian Stark’s cross country to crown the champion alongside a full day of dressage in the CCI sections in the main arena and a host of competition in the Top Spec arena – a feast of equestrian entertainment.
As well as the eventing ‘triathlon’ of dressage, show jumping and cross country, Bramham is renowned for hosting other top-flight equestrian competition. There’s the ever-popular British Showjumping classes over the coloured poles including the Equine Products UK Ltd Six Bar, the Gain Nutrition Classic and the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix which closes the show on Sunday. Sunday features the Saracen Horse Feeds Arena Eventing classes with over 100 entries over the 90cm and 100cm tracks as well as the Pony Club Mounted Games and Queen Mary’s School Pony Club show jumping classes. Always with an eye on the future, there’s show classes for youngstock as well as Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers.
Alongside the 500 or so horses, there’s plenty to see and do for all the family. There’s a tented village packed with 140 tradestands, including our nominated charity Here4Horses, who’ll be operating a bag drop facility where you can leave your shopping while you enjoy the Bramham experience – plus you can meet a few of their success stories. You can grab a bite from one of the food courts and visit the Food Hall to sample, and purchase, local delicacies. At Bramham, we like to get the weekend started early so Friday is late night shopping where you can eat, drink, be merry and shop until 8pm! Even better, it’s free entry after 4pm.
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “Our 2023 stage is set. The park couldn’t look any better and the Bramham team have pulled out all the stops and we’re ready to welcome our competitors, owners, officials, volunteers, sponsors, spectators and loyal fans. The entry list is looking fantastic, Ian and David have once again delivered a world class cross country course and the weather looks to be on our side – here’s to a simply brilliant Bramham!”
There’s a huge range of ticketing options and all should be purchased before you arrive at Bramham to speed up the entry process. Prices start at £19 per adult and under 12s go free with a paying adult and car parking is £10 per day. You can by weekend and season tickets in advance for great savings, but these must be purchased in advance. Space permitting, you might consider treating yourself with an upgrade to membership which gives you access to a special arena-side enclosure with bar and TV screens.
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. New for 2023 is our ‘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. Throughout the year, we’ll be in touch with general news and ticket info so you can get your 2024 tickets secured when the go live.
For more, visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk, www.twitter.com/bramhamhorse , www.facebook.com/bramhamhorsetrials or www.instagram.com/bramhamhorse
