The North's premier horse trials at Bramham Park set for refresh and expansion
It’s a cool March morning and the 900 acres of parkland surrounding grade I listed Bramham Park between Wetherby and Leeds are shrouded in fog. In less than three months the pastoral scene will be utterly transformed as the 18th century estate plays host to the Defender Bramham Horse Trials, welcoming some of the world’s top riders and horses for four days of intense competition watched by about 50,000 visitors.
Alongside the Scone Palace and Blenheim Palace trials, Bramham Park, which is owned by Nick and Rachel Lane Fox, is the country’s only other 4* event, placing it among the country’s highest rated eventing fixtures behind the 5* Badminton and Burghley.
Before 1962 there were elite British Horse Society-run horse trials at Harewood House, but it stopped hosting the event following concerns about foot and mouth disease being brought into the parkland and devastating its population of deer.
In the same fashion you hear stories of record labels rejecting the Beatles, Nick tells how his grandparents declined an offer to take on the event at Bramham Park, before Burghley took on the event which continues to stand alongside Badminton as the country’s only 5* fixtures.
However, Nick’s father launched the horse trials in 1974 in which entrants compete on a dressage arena outside the front of the house, before testing themselves on a 6km cross-country course and finally show jumping. Known for its flowing track and demanding technical combinations, it is hoped this year competitors aiming for the World Championships at Aachen, particularly in the 4* short class, will use Bramham to prepare.
Despite the event having been staged at Bramham Park for 53 years, the couple’s enthusiasm and ambition for the horse trials appears boundless. Rachel enthuses: “It’s a huge thing to have an event of this quality in Yorkshire.” "It was lovely to get to 50 years and we were very honoured to have the Princess Royal come and present the prizes”, adds Nick. “The horse trials is our business and is such an integral part of the estate it’s important that we drive that forward and develop it.”
Funds raised from the trials are combined with money generated from the Leeds Festival staged there in August are ploughed back into restoring the parkland’s original vistas and features, such as temples and ponds. Nick says: “We have a map from 1728 of the design and that’s our blueprint.”
Stopping at a fence beside a historic temple and fence known as the Round House complex, Nick points out a causeway and avenue of trees where two tunnels were discovered when the Leeds Festival planted a lighting pole and it disappeared into the ground. It transpired the structures had been built for cows and sheep to pass under so ladies and gentlemen walking to the temple would not encounter muck.
Andrew Heffernan, who last year took over as course designer, has this year introduced some changes to the course that supports the preparation of horses for 4* and 5* events while easing the terrain of the track, such as removing the downhill at the start and uphill at the end of the course.
Nick says: “The sport of eventing has changed quite a lot over the last few years and will continue to do so. While the sporting side of the event is overseen by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), we have to worry about making sure it’s sustainable, financially and it’s effect on the place.”
The couple and event director Nick Pritchard are intending in leaving no stone unturned to improve the experience for visitors. While attractions such as pony club games and arena eventing for grass roots riders draw the equestrian community, the Lane Foxes want to attract more families to the event and “people who might not necessarily be horsey”. Upgrades for this year will include the Members’ Enclosure, now sponsored by Pol Roger, which will offer hospitality experience overlooking the main competition areas, alongside a shopping village with 150 trade stands, while the Country Living Pavilion will provide “a curated selection of independent makers, artisan producers and lifestyle brands”. Another attraction will be an Askham Bryan College Marquee featuring demonstrations, activities and plant sales.
Rachel says: "We are trying to create this really lovely day out with lots going on. Everybody is looking for a day which gives them a lovely experience. I think the trick that a lot of people miss is the Thursday and Friday, when you have the dressage, which is so beautiful to watch, and then in the other arena you’ve got the showing classes, again like a beauty parade, and with far fewer people coming on those days you can sit very peacefully.”