Bramham Horse Trials: 10 fascinating facts
This week’s Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials (6-9 June) marks the event’s 40th anniversary. We take a look at 10 facts and figures about the event.
1. Two riders have achieved a one-two at Bramham, with William Fox-Pitt managing this feat twice (2003, Wallow and Ballincoola) and 2005 (Mr Dumbledore and Idalgo). Mary King (1986, King Cuthbert and Silverstone) is the other.
2. The event’s course-designer is Ian Stark. Previously, host George Lane Fox, Mike Tucker, Mike Etherington-Smith, Mark Phillips and Sue Benson have held the role.
3. The total prize-fund in the horse trials sections is £34,310 this year.
4. Bramham Horse Trials’ pins are given to people who have made a special contribution to the event. They are designed by Richard Jarvis of Pall Mall, as was the Jubilee Trophy — a gold and silver goblet first given in The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Year in 2002 — which goes to the winning owner (senior CCI***).
5. In 2002, the age limit for the British young rider (under-21) championships was extended, so it became an under-25 class. Zara Phillips won it that year, on Toytown.
6. William Fox-Pitt is the most successful rider at Bramham, with six senior CCI*** wins (1995, Cosmopolitan II; 2003, Wallow; 2005, Mr Dumbledore; 2007, Macchiato; 2008, Navigator; 2012, Chilli Morning).
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7. The event has only cancelled once, in 2001 due to foot-and-mouth disease.
8. The Sugden Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the winning rider in the CCI*** — it was given to Bramham by Nora Sugden, a keen local hunting lady, who encouraged young people in hunting and horse sports.
9. Jonquil Sainsbury (now Hemming) was the first winner of the young rider section in 1983. She now trains the British pony team.
10. America’s Bruce Davidson on Paddy won the top section — then called the Standard Sterling — at the first three-day at Bramham in 1974, a year after the inaugural one-day.
Full information about the event and visiting: www.bramham-horse.co.uk
Advance bookings have now closed, but tickets can be bought on the gate. Car parking costs £5 per day, with adult admission £10 on dressage days, £20 on cross-country day and £15 on showjumping day.
To read the full article about Bramham Horse Trials, including who to watch this year, see the current issue of H&H (30 May 2013)
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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.