BICTON’S OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS DELIVER A THRILLING FINALE TO THE EVENTING SEASON

From 21–25 October, Bicton Arena in Budleigh Salterton, Devon played host to five days of top-class eventing, as 350 competitors came together for the season’s grand finale. Despite Storm Austen throwing wind and rain at everyone for most of the weekend, the spectacular backdrop of Bicton’s Grade I Listed parkland provided a fitting stage for a thrilling close to the eventing season.

Max Warburton at Bicton in October 2025
©Harveywetdog

In a first for the Devon event, Max Warbuton did the Bicton hattrick and took the win in all three international classes, all with horses that were making their debut at the Devon event. He scooped up the win in the Events Through a Lens CCI2*-L with Camilla Behrens’ 16.2hh, 6 year old gelding, Vinerado's Affair finishing on a score of 28.4, the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-S aboard Miranda Lucey, Sue Ruddock and Celia Gough’s 17hh, 8 year old gelding, Norway Van De Haar with a score of 33.1, and the Succeed Equine CCI2*-S piloting Trevor Dickens’ 17.3hh, 7 year old gelding, Graf Design on 25.7. In addition, he also claimed second place in two of those classes as well.

Max had this to say about his record weekend, “A bit of a dream end to what has been a brilliant season. To win three internationals on the final show of the year is incredible and I’m sure something that won’t happen again any time soon! My horses were phenomenal all week, along with all my team as the storm really put Bicton under a serious test.”  Max now moves into the winter months where all his horses will get a well deserved month off.      

In the Redpost Equestrian BE100 Open it was Charlotte Rowe and Hevans Royal Revolution, a black stallion owned by Paul Hallum, who claimed victory, finishing on an impressive dressage score of 28.8 where they lead from start to finish.

Mairi Stobie and Kaylas Surprise, known as Iona at home, produced a faultless performance, finishing on their dressage score of 31.3 in the Redpost Equestrian BE100. “A huge thank you to the Bicton team for putting on such a fantastic event to end the season on. It was a truly surreal experience and both Iona and I enjoyed our weekend, albeit a bit wet and cold. I am so proud to have finished on my dressage around both a cross country and showjumping course that caused a few issues. I don’t quite have the words to describe how proud I am of Iona and to finish with both a first and team win for a South West U18 team is incredible.”

Thirteen-year-old Emily Pears riding her own 8 year old bay mare, Clerica, claimed victory in the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section F with a double clear and a score of 33.4. The pair climbed from 26th after dressage to second following cross-country before securing the win. Emily and Doris, as she is known at home, have only been a partnership since February and stepped up to BE90 in August. Proud mum Louise Pears, whose company Martin Pears Engineering Limited is also a valued sponsor of Bicton, reflected on their incredible weekend: “Having gained entry to the competition from the waitlist, qualifying for Badminton was beyond anything we could ever have imagined.”

Nicky Ralph and the 17hh, 17 year old Atlantic Coast, or Cecil as he’s affectionately known at home, won the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section G on a final score of 34.2.

Fiona Benger kept her composure right until the end with her seasoned hunter Brendonhill Tall Story, who came into his own in the rain and mud, to secure the final win of the weekend on a score of 34 in the Redpost Equestrian BE80 Section H. She said, “I was very excited to win at Bicton, and feel extremely lucky to have such a super Brendonhill horse bred by Diana Scott, he is my hunter and very safe and sensible in the wet conditions!”

Bicton Arena’s Co-Director Helen West commented on the venue’s end of season event, “The good old British weather threw everything it possibly could at us what with Storm Austen hitting on Friday, along with 55mm of rain over the course of the event. It is testament to our incredible team at Bicton that we were able to keep the show on the road, and with some dynamic rescheduling the FEI classes were able to continue onto the Saturday and gain their MERs.

The footing at Bicton is so resilient, and despite the amount of rain we had, the ground held up brilliantly. It was certainly a wet and windy wrap to the season, but spirits were high, especially the 80’s Party on Saturday night which, to me, epitomises the “can do” attitude of all involved in our wonderful sport. Huge thanks to our loyal competitors, owners, grooms, sponsors, volunteers and officials who all make Bicton such a special venue and to the Bicton Team, without whom none of it would happen. Here’s looking forward to 2027!”

Thanks go to Bicton College for use of the additional land for the Steeplechase Phase. Huge thanks also to our amazing sponsors; Succeed, Symonds & Sampson, Events Through a Lens, Redpost, Woof Wear, Horslyx, Darts Farm, Wyvern, Tack Room Distillery, Martin Pears Engineering, Equine Products UK, Bolting Horse, R & D Machinery & ESP Photographic.