A handy to way to get around the cross country course at Belton? No, one of the exhibits from the Vintage Car Rally
One of the great things about events in the UK is that there is often an abundance of other a ctivities during the event to keep everyone entertained and our first video event in the UK at Belton International Horse Trials from the 4th – 6th April is no exception.
As well as being one of the first major international competitions of the season, the National Trust property and grounds of Belton House provide a wonderful venue worthy of a look around in their own right. But there’s plenty more happening including the Dog Show, Dog Agility, a 10K Trail Run – for humans – and the Grantham Classic Car Club will be there with their marvellous display of historic cars.
The Fun Dog Show includes classes such as ‘Prettiest Bitch’, ‘Dog with the Waggiest Tail’ and ‘Best Biscuit-Catcher’ which has made our Golden Retriever very envious that his office duties don’t extend to overseas trips (he’s sure he would win them all, apart from the Prettiest Bitch). To be honest, it’s a relief he can’t be there as the Dog Agility session run by the Empingham Dog Training Club enable you to have a go and ‘test your dog’s skills on the course’ – now there’s a disaster in the making for our dog who still thinks it’s okay to sit on people’s laps.
For those who like more than just a walk in the park, on Sunday the 10K Trail Run will give a bit of a workout. The race takes place from on the 17th Century National Trust property though the deer park to the folly at the top of the hill and back through the woodland, rewarding the runners who make it to the top one of the best views around. Even more enticing is that every finisher will get a bottle of Sleaford Brewery's 10k Trail Ale providing the perfect incentive to get back down the hill
Sleaford's Brewery also make an ale called Crazy Kiwi - hmmmmm....
To be honest the Ladies’ Charity Luncheon, in aid of Belton’s chosen charity for 2014, the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Air Ambulance is probably more my cup of tea (or glass of bubbly). A three course lunch at about 1.00pm on Friday follows a presentation on ‘how to stay stylish and on-trend whatever your age’ – definitely needed in my case and there are over 100 trade stands to find a few little necessary items before or after lunch
We hope to catch up with organiser Stuart Buntine of Bede Events closer to the event to find out how the cross country course (designed by Stuart and Capt. Mark Phillips) is shaping up and which of the big names are heading to Belton.
We’re also delighted to be filming all riders on the cross country at two more UK events in April – South of England in Sussex on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th and at Burnham Market in Norfolk from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th April. More about these events coming up soon ……..
All photos courtesy Adam Fanthorpe
About our cross country videos
An Eventful Life has filmed many thousands of personalised cross country videos of riders at events in Australia and New Zealand – now we are taking this video technology to the UK. Thanks to our unique video system, we capture the action at almost every fence on cross country and will film every rider on course at Belton International Horse Trials. The quality is excellent and the footage provides the perfect opportunity to review your ride, show to friends or family, promote your horse or use as a coaching tool.
View our cross country videos here
