Weston Park Horse Trials

Oliver Townend returns to Weston in 2017
Photograph ©Harveywetdog

Wondering what to do next weekend?

Well the world’s leading riders including Zara Tindall, William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend, Andrew Nicholson, Sir Mark Todd and  Izzy Taylor will be competing at this highly popular event, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th April.

Here is the Harveywetdog playlist from 2016

Situated on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, the house was built in 1671 and has been the ancestral home of the Earls of Bradford. Today the House and Park is a Charitable Foundation, the family collections of porcelain, antiques and portraits are available for all to enjoy.   It is through staging events such as the Horse Trials that the ongoing restoration and maintenance of this historic Estate is financed.

Why not get along and enjoy the action!

The superbly constructed course, designed by Janet Plant, will run over a thousand acres of rolling wooded parkland and the fences are solid and imposing. Each class runs over a different course designed to be testing but fair.  Janet Plant comments “it is a real buzz and privilege to design on such a fabulous estate.  Once again we welcome the Charles Owen Pony Trial, which we have run for a number of years’  - this  has attracted a large number of entries and will prove to be an exciting competition”.
 The course for the Novice classes – sponsored by Moores Metals, Landsbrook Stud and Mirrors for Training plus the Charles Owen Pony Trials will run on the central park giving wonderful views from the vantage points which is greatly appreciated by owners and spectators. The Show Jumping has been relocated down near the Kidney Pool. There will be a separate arena each day which should produce good going for everyone. The Show Jumping course will be designed by our new designer Martin Cox who has a great deal of experience and we give him a warm welcome to the ‘Team’.

Advanced Sections:
 For many of the top riders in the Advanced sections this event acts as an ideal ‘warm –up’ for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May.  The Advanced course includes four new beautifully designed fences!
 These horses will run Cross Country on Sunday between 1 pm and 4pm – so be sure to be in the park early!  The event are delighted long-standing supporters, David and Catherine Witt, owners of Rookery Park Stud, are kindly continuing their sponsorship of the Advanced class.

Once again the hotly contested Open Intermediate Under 21 section will see our young riders and juniors competing for a place in the British European teams this summer. Friends of Weston Park support the Open Intermediate sections and in addition there will be three Intermediate sections all battling for a place in the British Intermediate Championship qualifier.

Time-table:
Saturday – Novice and Open Novice plus the Pony Trials
Dressage 8am; Show Jumping 8.45 am; Cross Country 9.45 am
Sunday – Intermediate, Open Intermediate and Advanced classes:   Dressage 8.O0am Show Jumping 8.45 am; Cross Country 9.45am Advanced horses 1pm to 4 pm.

Admission: Cars with a BE membership card – free.   Non-members Adults £10 per person; accompanied Children under 12 years are free.

Walk round the beautiful parkland, enjoy looking at the varied and interesting range of trade stands and indulge in some shopping, with everything from country clothing and equestrian products to fashion accessories on show.  Hot and cold fast food facilities are available or bring a picnic to eat while enjoying events in the main arena. There is something for all the family to enjoy!

Location: Weston Park is situated at Weston under Lizard, Shropshire on the A5, 7 miles west of junction 12, off the M6 and junction 3 off the M54.

Interviews and photo opportunities can be arranged.  For further details please contact: Vicky Plant - Tel:  07779 017421 or visit the website www.westonht.co.uk

Press Officer:  All Press enquiries to Rachael Morley - Tel:  07889 083194 or email

(Weston Park Press Release)