
Plan your season: May to June
Get to know the national British Eventing fixtures coming up in March and April 2018, with insights from the people who make it happen - the organisers! Find out what's on offer for spectators and competitors alike, and plan your eventing year ahead (check out the full calendar here).
Buckminster Park, Lincolnshire
Buckminster Park, Lincolnshire
7-8 July
“Buckminster Park is very easy to access from all directions and is a beautiful park with stunning views from the top of the cross country course. We have two courses that are suitable for first-timers as there are alternatives at all the more challenging fences. We offer free entry for spectators with designated parking, good food is available on site and there’s great viewing for all phases. We’re a well-established, friendly event for both competitors and visitors.” Kate Letchford
Tweseldown (3), Hampshire
7-9 July
Bicton arena (2), Devon
7-8 July
Kirriemuir (2), Angus
8 July
Upton House, Oxfordshire
11-12 July
“Riders should enter Upton House because it’s one of the most popular one day events on the circuit. Top class course designers and builders work for us, creating an educational cross country course on undulating ground, and we go above and beyond to get the best ground. The event’s popularity with competitors speaks for itself. It’s a great location and the ground is old turf – we are competitors organising for competitors. For spectators, Upton House is the backdrop and it’s a National Trust house. There’s a great atmosphere and it’s well organised.” Jessica Thomas
Stafford (2), Staffordshire
13-15 July
Eridge, Kent
14-15 July
Forgandenny (2), Perthshire
14-15 July
Northallerton (2), North Yorkshire
14-15 July
Dauntsey Park (1), Wiltshire
17-18 July
“We have old-fashioned courses and a lovely atmosphere. Our event is suited to brave cross country riders. However, the courses encourage the more inexperienced partnerships as there are alternatives at the more testing fences. The cross country is a great viewing course - you can sit on the banks of the River Avon to watch. It's a friendly, family-run event, with three generations of the Sturgis family involved and a huge emphasis on producing the best ground possible to ensure our competitors have a really fantastic day.” Beanie Sturgis
Aston-Le-Walls (3) and (4), Northants
20-22 July and 9-11 August
Little Downham (2), Cambridgeshire
21-22 July
Warwick Hall (3), Cumbria
21-22 July
Launceston, Cornwall
22 July
“Our event is friendly and run by enthusiasts. The dressage arenas are on our neighbour’s [Launceston Rugby Club] pitch, so you won’t find a better flat, perfectly manicured arena with a big space for warming up. Our course is encouraging and inviting, but still asks questions with some great features and lake complex. Our event is great for spectators, too, with a stunning backdrop of Launceston Castle.” Kirsty Kerslake
Osborne House **Showcase Event**, Isle of Wight
25-26 July
“This year’s event at Osborne House is a first for the sport with the opportunity to compete in the grounds of Queen Victoria’s Isle of Wight house and great prize money on offer. The best riders in the world will be contesting a big prize fund in an easy-to-follow format. It’s groundbreaking, exciting and innovative – absolutely everything about it is unique, from the extraordinary venue to the format, which is designed around the spectator to attract new followers to the sport.” Hilary Manners
Wilton, Wiltshire
28-29 July
“The event has been running for 42 years, so I think it’s one of the longest-running horse trials in the UK. Competitors come from 150 miles away to compete. Everything is accessible and reasonably close together, so you don’t need to walk long distances to see everything and spectators can get close to the action.
“The BE100 course is good for a first go at that level and I hire the fences from the Willis Brothers. We have a varied terrain but the courses are fair. The event is friendly and efficient, and with tradestands and food stall options, it’s overall a great day out for the family. Last year we captured drone footage of the event, which you can watch on our website to give you an overview of what it’s all about. If anyone would like to know more, please feel free to email or telephone me.” Anthony Ffooks
Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire
28-29 July
“Cholmondeley Castle has a user-friendly layout, good going, a super show jumping arena with spacious warm-up, a good range of classes from BE90 to Open Intermediate and has an international event feel. The cross country is designed for newly upgraded horses to gain confidence and to give more experienced ones a good run. It’s a stunning venue – the arenas have the backdrop of Cholmondeley Castle, there’s good viewing for spectators, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It’s worth a visit!” Hilary Manners
Calmsden (1), Gloucestershire
28-29 July
“Riders should enter our event as it is a professional, well-run event in a simply stunning location in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside. Our July event is suited to all levels. Our courses are carefully designed to be encouraging and educational at BE80(T) and BE90 level, and the BE100 course is bold with enough questions for the more experienced combinations. New for us this year is the addition of Dodson & Horrell as sponsors for the BE90 class. For spectators, there are amazing views over the cross country course across the valley.” Jo Verey
Hendersyde Park, Borders
4-5 August
“Hendersyde Park was voted best Scottish BE event in 2017. We enjoy a wonderful parkland setting overlooking the River Tweed with fantastic spectator viewing, a very friendly atmosphere and superb footing. The competition is fair at all levels, and is renowned for David Evans’ carvings and fantastic ground. We pay attention to detail across all phases, resulting in a fun, fabulous and friendly event!” Livy Agnew
Skipton (2), North Yorkshire
4-5 August
Smiths Lawn, Berkshire
6-7 August
Homme House (Much Marcle), Herefordshire
7-8 August
Bold Heath, Cheshire
11-12 August
Dalkeith (2), Edinburgh
11-12 August
Horseheath (2), Cambridgeshire
11-12 August
West Wilts (2), Wiltshire
14-15 August
Solihull (2), West Midlands
18-19 August
Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival Blair Castle, Perthshire
23-26 August
Keysoe (3), Bedfordshire
24-26 August
Wellington, Hampshire
25-27 August
Shelford Manor (2), Nottinghamshire
25-26 August
Llanymynech (2), Shropshire
25-26 August
Treborough Hill (2), Somerset
25-26 August
Richmond (2), North Yorkshire
31 August-2 September