Return of Eventers League sees Wilson lead way at Breckenbrough

Now in its second year, the League will see affiliated eventers amass points throughout 2013 at 13 events incorporating 34 days of competitive action.

The league offers cash prizes, presented at Askham Bryan at the end of the season, with competitions held at every event from BE90 to Intermediate.

Wilson, a silver medallist at London 2012, will be competing at Breckenbrough on Sunday on board Outrigger II and Dartans Greenlough Tom, both in the BE100 class.

The Northallerton ace will be hot-footing it from the Belton Park event which begins on Friday where Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend will also be competing alongside Harrogate’s James Sommerville – winner of the 2012 North East Eventers League novice competition.

Competitive Sommerville will also be intent on defending his crown with the Yorkshire and North East Eventers League’s spokeswoman, Helen Scott, hoping the 2013 event – which starts on Saturday – will be a roaring success.

“The North East Eventers League gives the region a sense of identity,” said Scott.

“It also allows people who don’t want to travel up and down the country the chance to compete for something in their own backyard. We are delighted that Nicola is competing at Breckenbrough – she’s a local star.”

Another notable performer at Breckenbrough will be Chloe Bell – daughter of organiser and eventing star Helen Bell.

The youngster will be on board Foxhill Jet in the BE100 under-18s class and Bombay Mix in the open novice under-18s.

After Breckenbrough, the league will move on to Northallerton over the weekend of April 27 and April 28.

The league also offers an owner’s trophy and, poignantly, a trophy for the best veteran in memory of Robin Donaldson who was 64 when he died while eventing in 2010.

Meanwhile, the organising team at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials have reported preparations to be right on track for this year’s 40th anniversary event taking place between June 6 and June 9.

Three major competition titles will be up for grabs in the Equi-Trek CCI***, the BETA CIC*** and the Bishop Burton College Under 25 CCI***.

As well as the eventing competitions, the event hosts top-flight showjumping, showing classes, young horse sections and Pony Club showjumping and mounted games.

Another annual feature of the event is backing for a chosen charity with this year’s beneficiary being The Fire Fighters Charity – the UK’s leading provider of services to support the fire and rescue community when they are in need. Charity representatives together with the Fire and Rescue Services from Yorkshire and Humberside region will be at the event raising awareness of their work with horses and fundraising towards the £9m target required annually.

The Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials will also feature family entertainments, main ring shows, food outlets and over 130 prime trade stands.

The tradestand area will be boosted by this year’s charity as the local specialist large animal rescue units will be showing how they support the equine community.

They will be demonstrating techniques on how they rescue horses from various scenarios, talking visitors through these rescues step-by-step and offering vehicle safety advice.