Defender Bramham International Horse Trials is rounding off their 50th anniversary year with the announcement of Equine Pathways UK as their charitable partner for 2025. Running from 5th – 8th June, planning for the big Yorkshire-based event in 2025 is well underway and the box office is now open, just in time to secure tickets for the ideal Christmas gift.
Bramham partners with Equine Pathways UK in 2025
The Leeds-based charity offers equine assisted therapy to help improve the lives of children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Horses form strong connections with humans and that unique bond is harnessed to help with emotional challenges, mental health issues and neurodiverse conditions to develop confidence, self-esteem and comfort. Many of the horses at the centre have been rescued and carefully rehabilitated to support therapy sessions, workshops and experiences which enrich both the horses and participants.
Founded by Carole Taylor nearly a decade ago at Carr Hall Farm, her life-long home, Equine Pathways UK works closely with national charities including Mind, Barnardos and Macmillan Cancer Support as well as local organisations and schools. Their valuable work is making a strong impression in the Leeds area with their services recognised by the Yorkshire Choice Awards, The Duke of York Awards and the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Community Initiative Award.
“We are over the moon to have been named charity partner of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials in 2025. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the voluntary led service we provide for children and adults through our therapy based equine assisted programmes,” said Carole.
“We’re solely reliant on raising money to fund our activity and the money raised at Bramham will allow us to continue our pioneering Young Lives Empowerment Programme, which supports young people through life changing and challenging situations.
“It’s our 10th anniversary next year and we cannot think of any better way to celebrate than being the charity partner at this international event,” she added.
Defender Bramham International Horse Trials 2025
The Bramham team is busily finalising the 2025 timetable, and all the showcase competitions make a return. The showcase Defender CCI4*-L, the Under 25 CCI4*-L and the Defender CCI4*-S sections will provide the main attraction as Andrew Heffernan makes his cross-country course design debut.
Britain’s brightest amateurs tackle the NAF Five Star BE 80 National Championships with elite showjumping classes, Pony Club showjumping and mounted games, showing, youngstock, breeding and hunter showing competitions and the ever-popular Saracen Horse Feeds Arena Eventing with 90cm and 100cm classes to provide equestrian entertainment supreme.
It's not only about the horses in one of the most stunning parks in Yorkshire, the trade stand village of over 130 outlets keep the shoppers happy while the foodies will enjoy a food hall and catering and refreshment options for every taste. Bramham is a champion of sustainability and once again, they’ll be working hard to continue to reduce the carbon footprint of the event on the environment with a number of initiatives including ‘zero to landfill’ thanks to Wetherby Skip Services.
The Bramham Box Office is now open to secure tickets, memberships and camping passes – the perfect Christmas gift.
You could also support Equine Pathways UK by sponsoring one of their ponies on someone’s behalf for the year or maybe purchase a mug as a stocking stuffer. Or why not make a donation in lieu of a gift or cards this year?
“It’s been a fantastic year at Bramham with so many milestones – our 50th anniversary and the first year of Defender as title sponsors were the ultimate highlights with some amazing memories made too" says Event Director Nicholas Pritchard "Every year brings a new chapter in the event’s long and rich history and we’re already looking forward to 2025. The work of our charity, Equine Pathways UK, is inspiring and the help their sessions give to those in need locally showcase the magic of horses to heal. We couldn’t be prouder to have them on board and look forward to working with them to showcase what they achieve at Carr Hall Farm.
“I have to end the year with a thank you to everyone who comes together each year to make the horse trials a huge success – the riders and their teams, the sponsors, the volunteers, the spectators, officials, tradestands, contractors and of course, the horses. On behalf of the team at Bramham Park, I wish everyone a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year for 2025. See you in June!”
