The Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials 2012
Date: 7th – 10th June 2012
Classes:
CCI3*/CIC3*
Bishop Burton College Under 25 CCI3*
Trot2.com Event Horse Breeding & Young Stock Classes
Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse
Dodson & Horrell Hunter Show
British Show jumping
Location:
Bramham Park, Wetherby , West Yorkshire, England, LS23 6ND
Bramham Park is half way between Leeds and York and about five miles south of Wetherby.
As usual Bramham has attracted a large international field to their CCI and CIC event, along with the popular with the Young Event horse classes.
The event will open it’s gates to the public at 8am Thursday and with numerous trade-stands the expected 50,000 or so spectators will have plenty of time to do some shopping in between watching all the action. There will even be late night shopping at the event on Friday.
The Event also has a ‘Family Area' close to the main arena and trade stands, where there is an enclosed space with picnic benches. In this area children will also find a climbing wall, bungee trampoline, bouncy castle and a simulator ride.
The Course
The cross country course has been designed by Olympic medalist and three times Badminton winner Ian Stark. Bramham was a successful ‘stomping’ ground for Ian as he won the title three times during the 1980’s and once more in 1996. His first connection with the event was when he rode in the Novice three day event back in 1979!
With this being an Olympic year you can be sure that riders from several nations will be out at Bramham to test themselves and impress their selectors
No doubt Ian will give the riders lots to think about as they make their way around the course, which starts off at the highest point in Bramham Park – a great view for those riders calm enough to look around them. The first few fences are designed to get riders going and instill some confidence but by fence eight things are getting really serious with a tricky combination, the Suregrow Fertiliser Owl Hole, which comprises of a three fence maze of tight angles and a central hole to be jumped through. Always one to like a challenge Ian has produced the rider-frightening Horse & Hound Leap of Faith at 11 about which he says ‘It always surprises and thrills me that horses are so brave and fearless at fences like this!’
Each rider and horse who cross the finish will know they’ve achieved something special – mastering a course from one of the sport’s foremost designers Ian Stark and built by the ultimate craftsman, David Evans.
Provisional Timetable:
Dressage will start on Thursday and continue on Friday. Due to Bramham taking over 100 additional entries (thanks to all the cancelled events) cross country will run on Saturday (CCI3*) and Sunday (CIC3*) – the CIC3* having completed their show jumping on Saturday.
