Festival flair gets Bramham 2025 off to a flyer!
There was a full-on festival vibe as the 2025 edition of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials got underway with the first horse inspection for the showpiece Defender CCI4*-L section. With a dress theme of ‘A touch of festival’ – in homage to the Bramham estate also hosting the Leeds Festival every year – some 64 combinations from 10 nations came forward under the Ground Jury of Christian Steiner (AUT and President), Nikki Herbert (GBR) and James Rooney (IRL). All but one passed, with Irish rider Austin O’Connor choosing to withdraw one of his two rides, Ventura Rock, owned by Kate Jarvey, from the holding box.
At Bramham, we’re all about the style and, thanks to generous support from HiHo Silver, we once again recognised the best dressed combinations. The female award went to Daisy Berkeley, while Tom Crisp took the men’s accolade – both riders fully embracing the festival theme. The four-legged athletes also looked resplendent, thanks to the expertise by the grooms, and it was Michael Stenning’s United 36, trotted up by rider Tom Jackson and prepared by groom Chloe Whitelaw, who claimed the British Horse Feeds Fibre-Beet Best Turned Out award.
We head into the first day of dressage with 64 combinations, with the roster headed by defending champion Harry Meade, who arrived in Yorkshire to the news he’s now new world number one in the FEI eventing rankings – a first in his illustrious career. Having had a spring season to remember, with four top six finishes across the two five-star events – Lexington and Badminton – Harry comes to Bramham bang in form and in the mood to keep his name on the Defender trophy. His two rides are Abigail Bernard’s Jet Fighter, drawn third to go tomorrow, and Cooley Anything You Like, owned by James Midgeley and Gale Scoulier, who will go on Friday.
Other names to watch in the Defender CCI4*-L include Tom McEwen with James and Jo Lambert’s Cecelia Cobra, Izzy Taylor riding SBH Big Wall for Jane Timmis, Bubby Upton and her own and the Five Time Syndicate’s Its Cooley Time, Zara Tindall and Class Affair, owned by the Gledhill Stud and Gemma Stevens with Chilli King, owned by Chris and Clare Mathias and Christopher and Lisa Stone. All of these riders have stood atop the Bramham podium at events past and will be looking for a repeat.
In the 11-nation strong Defender CCI4*-S, which this year incorporates the British Under-25 Championship, the entry roster is topped by reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham, who has two horses entered here, both owned by Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund. Goliath du Loir and Gypsie du Loir are both bred by Pierre Gouye, who notably also produced her World Champion partner, Banzai du Loir. Piggy March, a winner here in 2004, brings forward a new ride – none other than 2023 CCI4*-L winning horse under Pippa Funnell, MCS Maverick, owned by the Maidwell Mavericks. International challenge will certainly come from names such Alex Hua Tian (CHN), Sofia Sjoborg (SWE), Astier Nicholas (FRA), Susie Berry (IRL) and Caroline Powell (NZL).
Dressage gets underway in the morning, with the Defender CCI4*-S first up at 09:10 under the presiding Ground Jury of Judy Hancock (GBR and President), Tim Downes (GBR) and Xavier Le Sauce (FRA). The Defender CCI4*-L follows on in the adjacent arena at 10:30. There’s also a full day of showing action in the Top-Spec Arena to add to the first full day of equestrian action at Bramham.
You can follow all the action with times, scores and all the info via the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials app – just download from your preferred app store. You can catch up with on socials too – we’re on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
If you’re planning on joining us, but haven’t purchased your tickets yet, save time at the gate and buy online before you arrive.
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