With all due respect to Werribee Mansion, around which the Melbourne International 3 Day Event cross country course winds, it isn’t quite the grand house often seen as the backdrop to so many events overseas. The large English country house set in rolling parklands is without a doubt the perfect setting for an eventing weekend and in April our video crew will be heading to the UK to video at one such lovely location
Maybe not on the scale of Badminton or Burghley, Belton House in Lincolnshire has however been described as ‘the quintessential example of Restoration architecture’ and ‘the most complete example of an English country house’. Built for Sir John Brownlow and started in 1685, Belton House is now owned and run by the National Trust and from April 4th – 6th it will host the Belton International Horse Trials, incorporating the Lycetts Grantham Cup
This year, for the first time in the 32-year history of the event, two things are happening; first the event is being run in conjunction with The National Trust which means that entry to the Horse Trials will include access to the grounds of Belton House, the adventure playground, shop and everything else on offer. Second, An Eventful Life will be there to capture all of the cross country action on camera (and no doubt the video crew will try out the adventure playground as neither Alison nor I will be there to keep them in check)
And there will be plenty to capture. Belton is one of the first major international competitions of the season and many top eventers based in the UK and Europe make a point of competing here as a warm-up to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May.
“We normally expect 90% of top riders in the UK to come and compete for the Lycetts Grantham Cup” says organiser Stuart Buntine of Bede Events, a company responsible for managing many events in the UK
Italy’s Vittoria Pannizon (above) told us recently that she has a very soft spot for Belton and last year she not only took the title riding Borough Pennyz but also finished in third place on Rock Model and eighth place on Merlot’s Magic - no doubt she will be back this year, although sadly without Rock Model. With classes ranging from Novice to CIC3* there is going to be plenty of action across the board for horses and riders of all levels
As well as the eventing there will also be Unaffiliated Dressage, an Inter-Hunt Relay (which sounds fast and furious), Pony Club Mounted Games and a Stallion Parade. There is plenty for the non-horsey visitor too and we’ll take a look at some of the other activities on offer in a future article
There will be lots of fast and furious equestrian fun as well as eventing at Belton
