Bramham Horse Trials: Highlight of Yorkshire equestrian calendar celebrates 50 years
It is one of the biggest event fixtures in the equestrian calendar and one that has frequently attracted Royal visitors and competitors.
There will be extra celebrations planned as well as the usual programme of action.
All eyes will be on what is the jewel in the event’s crown, the eventing competitions with the Defender CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S taking centre stage alongside the Under 25 CCI4* to crown a British champion.
With selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just a matter of weeks after Bramham, entries across all three sections should feature some of the world’s best as they battle it out for a spot to represent their country in Versailles this summer.
Bramham has a reputation to live up to for producing thrilling cross-country courses and this year won’t disappoint.
After 15 years, Ian Stark will deliver his swansong course and there’s little doubt he’ll want his final Bramham foray to be a classic. He and craftsman builder David Evans recently spent time in the Park outlining their vision and plans.
Bramham will also host the NAF Five Star BE 80 Championship for Britain’s most talented and ambitious amateur combinations. Riders from all over the country have been busily qualifying for a coveted chance to ride on the hallowed Yorkshire turf and to tackle a smaller version of Ian Stark’s cross-country test and realise the dream of competing in a three-day event.
However, it’s not all about eventing at Bramham – 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 90 and 100cm are a competitor, and spectator favorite on Sunday while local Pony Club teams will be in action all weekend with show jumping and mounted games – with friendly rivalry, great camaraderie and vocal supporters, these competitions are always a fun watch.
There events for dog lovers too as Kirkbourne Spaniels are joining the line up in 2024 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.
Away from the action is the tradestand village which this year will house more than 160 stalls selling just about everything from equestrian, lifestyle, clothing, luxury and bargain to bonkers items.
The Defender Bramham International Horse Trials’ charity partners for 2024 are The British Horse Society, who have been a part of the event since year one in 1974.
Its stand will be on hand to give updates on its work across welfare, education, lobbying and safety.
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard said: “It’s a magical time on the Bramham Estate as the Park comes to life after its winter slumber and we begin our event preparations in earnest and as an Olympic year, there’s added excitement.
"It was fantastic to have Ian [Stark] and David [Evans] with us, they always bring big ideas and huge enthusiasm, and it’s always a privilege to see their thoughts become reality in the Park. Ian will certainly want to sign off with something special.
"We’re also working with the teams at Defender and The British Horse Society on their plans for June – across everyone we work with there’s a real feel of celebration as we look to mark our 50th anniversary together, and with our competitors, their connections and our visitors.”
A programme for the first ever event hosted by the Lane Fox family in 1974 lists an organising committee of 12 under the directorship of George Lane Fox and a Junior and two Standard sections were held – with the entry list reading like a who’s who of eventing. HRH The Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips, Stephen Clarke, Jane Holderness-Roddam, Mary Gordon Watson all rode with the USA’s Bruce Davidson taking the top honours.
Pippa Funnell took the top honours last year with her ride Maverick, making it a victory in each of the last four decades – 1992, 2002, 2010 and 2023.
The Defender Bramham International Horse Trials take place at Bramham Park, between Leeds and York, from June 6 to 9.