Bramham International Horse Trials Press Release

The final countdown has begun ahead of this year’s Bramham International Horse Trials (9- 12 June) and the green landscape of this gem in the Yorkshire countryside is a hive of activity for the north’s largest equestrian fixture. This year, the best riders across the globe will be hoping for a call up to represent their country at the World Championships in September in Italy and Bramham is a key selection fixture. Whichever day you choose to visit us – one or all four – you’ll never be short of equestrian action and family entertainment.

Bramham
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The three eventing class favourites are back and the current entry list of over 180 world class combinations won’t disappoint the expectant Bramham fans! Across the the CCI4*-L and the Land Rover CCI4*-S classes, the history-making Tokyo Olympic gold medal trio of Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend, born and raised in Huddersfield, are all entered. Two of the European gold medal team also feature in reigning World Champion Ros Canter and Piggy French, who’ll be deputising for local star Nicola Wilson on the Lambert’s Cooparks Serco while the Northallerton rider starts her rehabilitation from her fall at Badminton.

Past Bramham title winners Zara Phillips, Gemma Tattersall and William Fox-Pitt, who’s won a staggering six times, all feature for the home side, as does local rider James Somerville. The entry list as ever has an international flavour with riders from Ireland, China, USA, Canada, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy and a sizeable French contingent.

The British Horse Feeds CCI4*U25-L has produced many a champion who has gone on to great things and Bubby Upton and Heidi Coy, who has two rides, rank among the favourites to take this year’s title.

Competing alongside the world’s elite for the first time will be over 50 of Britain’s most ambitious amateurs in the NAF Five Star BE80 championships. New to Bramham, these championships have their own dedicated area of the park and the team have pulled out all the stops to give these riders a taste of the big time. The champion will be crowned on Thursday, 9 June, when they tackle the show jumping and cross country phases after two days of dressage. This will make it a truly ‘terrific Thursday’ at Bramham with all the other action taking place.

As well as the eventing spectacle 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 Gain Nutrition Classic and the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix which closes the show on Sunday. Bumper entries have been received and top names include Paul Barker, Robert Murphy, James Smyth, Conor McMahon, Rachel Proudley, Ria Ginley, James Whitaker and Joanne Whitaker – as well as a few eventing names sneaking into the mix! Sunday features the Saracen Horse Feeds Arena Eventing classes with over 100 entries over the 90cm and 100cm tracks as well as the Komfi Pony Club Mounted Games. 

Alongside the 500 or so horses, there’s plenty to see and do for all the family.  There’s a tented village packed with 160 tradestands, including our nominated charity, New Beginnings, featuring everything you could ever need – many loyal outlets are making a return plus a few new names, 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.

At Bramham, we’re proud of our commitment to lessening the environmental impact and visitors can help play their part in that pledge:

- no single use plastic water bottles will be sold on site – cans only. Or, even better, bring a refillable container as there’ll be plenty of filling stations around the site.  

- we won’t be printing a programme this year so no waste of paper – everything will be digital so make sure you bring your phone fully charged.

- our tickets are digital, and you don’t have to print, simply take a screenshot and show the bar code on your phone.

- our wristbands for competitors and officials will be made of bamboo so are biodegradable and we’re working with our food outlets, including new partners Fordhall Farm, to achieve zero landfill from packaging.

There’s a wide range of ticketing options and those who book ahead secure some great discounts. Advance adult entry starts from £14 and children 12 and under go free with a paying adult.  Also at a premium are tickets to our ringside members’ enclosure which brings a touch of VIP to your visit.  Tickets can be booked on-line anytime until 06 June. Booking ahead not only gets you the best price but you’ll save time at the gate as we’re expecting it to be busy. On the gate prices start at £17 per adult – and remember, only card payments will be taken.

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. 

Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “It’s a huge delight to see the event footprint taking shape after two years with almost nothing happening in the park. The marquees are being built, the stables are being erected, the cross country fences are being dressed and we’re just about ready to welcome everyone to Bramham for what we hope to be one of the biggest and best shows ever. The weather has been kind this spring and everything is looking spectacular – we just can’t wait for our ‘Bumper Bramham’.”