Walk the new-look Bramham cross-country course with our fence by fence photos

The Defender Bramham Horse Trials cross-country course for the CCI4*-L has a new look for the 2026 event (11-14 June).

Course-designer Andrew Heffernan, in his second year responsible for the track at this Yorkshire fixture, has altered the route. The small loop in front of the house now comes first, rather than at the end, and the bigger loop out in the country follows. Both loops are taken in the opposite direction to previously.

The CCI4*-L track is 5715m long, with an optimum time of 10min 2sec – this is virtually identical to last year, when the course was 10m longer and optimum time a single second longer. This course uses blue numbers; the green numbers are for the CCI4*-S.

Andrew spoke to H&H earlier in the year about the changes he was making to the track, saying he wanted to make the course a little less hilly coming home and offer a better championship preparation.

Bramham Horse Trials cross-country course: fence by fence

Fence 1: Bedmax Flowerbed

Fence 2: The Lycetts Table

Fence 3: Speedi-Beet Table

Fence 4: Cross Country App Spread

Fence 5ab and 6: The Defender Trail and The Defender Shoulder

Fence 5a

This is followed by a right-hand turn to fence 5b and fence six.

Fence 6

Fence 7abc: Womble Bond Dickinson Pond

Fence 7ab is a bounce into the water on the direct route

Fence 7c on the direct route is the right-hand arrowhead in the water

Fence 7a and fence 7bc on the long route

The numbering at this combination means riders are locked into one route or the other; they cannot mix and match the straight route and alternative.

Fence 8ab: Womble Bond Dickinson Pond Bounce

Fence 8ab is a step up and bounce to bird on the direct route

Fence 8a alternative is the left-hand arrowhead in the water

Fence 8b alternative

Fence 9: The Pol Roger Pop

Fence 10: Generator Power Rails

Fence 11: Horse & Country Table

Fences 12 and 3: The Parkland Basket and The Picnic Basket

Fence 12

Fence 13

Fence 14: Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Cones

Fence 15: Silver Birch Oxer

Fence 16ab: Coopers Marquees Corners

Fence 16a

Fence 16b

Fence 16b alternative

Fence 17: The Galloping Gate

Fence 18abc: Hanging Log Into Water

Fence 18ab direct route

Fence 18c direct route

The long route involves curving out to the right and crossing the pond at right angles to the straight route trajectory. Again, riders cannot swap between routes halfway through the combination here.

Fence 18a alternative

Fence 18bc alternative

From the alternative 18bc, it is impossible to join the straight route at fence 19 without making a loop or circle.

Fence 19ab: Narrow Brush In Water

Fence 19a direct route

Fence 19b direct route

Fence 19a long route

Fence 19b long route

Fence 20: The Cabin

Fence 21abc: British Eventing Support Trust Rail Ditch Rail

Fence 21a direct route

Fence 21b direct route

Fence 21c direct route

The long route here is time consuming, involving branching off to the left to part a and then coming back against the direction of travel for the other two elements.

Fence 21a alternative

Fence 21b alternative

Fence 21c alternative

Fence 22: Joules Leap of Faith

Fence 23abc: Hanging Log to Corners

Fence 23 direct route

Fence 23b direct route

Fence 23c direct route

To jump the alternative, riders turn left instead of right after the initial hanging log. This route swaps a corner for a log at part b and means part c is not on a related distance from part b.

Fence 23b alternative

Fence 23c alternative

Fence 24: Cystic Fibrosis Care Oxer

Fence 25abcd: Defender Round House

Fence 25ab direct route

Fence 25a alternative

Riders taking the alternative at 25ab then have to turn back against the direction of travel to find part b.

Fence 25b alternative

Fence 25c direct route

Fence 25c direct route – side view

The alternative here is only really available if riders have a run-out at fence 25c and jump the ditch to the side of the fence.

Fence 25c alternative

Fence 25d

Fence 26ab: The Fish Hooks

Fence 26a

Fence 26b

Fence 27: Rainbow Equine Hospital Finale

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.