Fancy the image of yourself cruising down to Huntsman's Close at Badminton or catching a glimpse of the Cottesmore Leap between your horse's ears? Sign up to one of these fun rides and you can do just that — albeit wihtout the four-star track to navigate. Cameras at the ready for those photo opportunities...
The Barbury ride
Where: Barbury Castle Estate, Wiltshire
When: Sunday 4 September
Distance: 10 miles
Cost: In advance: £25 per adult and £16 per child 12 years and under. On the day: £28.00 per adult, £18.00 per child.
What to expect: Set off from Barbury Castle Estate across the beautiful grassland of the Marlborough Downs. The route will be clearly marked and stewarded and includes around sixty optional cross-country jumps. Proceeds go to Berks & Bucks Draghounds and Vine and Craven Hunt.
Visit: www.vineandcravenhunt.co.uk
Don’t miss the real deal: Barbury International Horse Trials, 7-10 July 2016, www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk
The SEIB Burghley sponsored ride
Where: Sunday 4 September
When: Burghley Estate
Distance: 7.5 miles
Cost: A minimum donation of £33 per rider. Entries close Friday 26 August (no entries on the day).
What to expect: Ride along the famous four-star Burghley cross-country course on the final day of the horse trials, exploring the tracks and pathways of the Burghley Estate. The day includes completion rosettes, a photographer and special Burghley prizes for the most money raised. Charities that will receive funds from the 2016 ride are World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society and Ebony Riding Club.
Visit: www.burghley-horse.co.uk
Don’t miss the real deal: Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, 1-4 September 2016, www.burghley-horse.co.uk
Blenheim Palace fun ride
Where: Blenheim Estate, Oxfordshire
When: Sunday 11 September
Distance: 10 miles
Cost: £30
What to expect: With a new route for 2016, enjoy some of the private roads and tracks of the Blenheim Estate on the final day of the horse trials, incorporating some optional fences of 2’3″ to 2’9″. Soak up the impressive views of the palace and estate (and don’t forget to pack your camera).
Visit: www.blenheimhorse.co.uk
Don’t miss the real deal: Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, 8-11 September 2016, www.blenheimhorse.co.uk
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The Badminton ride
Where: Badminton Park, Gloucestershire
When: Sunday 18 September
Distance: 10 miles
Cost: In advance: £20 for riders aged 15 and over, and £15 for riders aged under 15. On the day: £30 for riders aged 15 and over, and £20 for riders aged under 15.
What to expect: Not for the faint-hearted, join over 900 riders to make the most of the kind permission of Their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort to ride across Badminton Park. This year the start is in the field by Huntsman’s Close and the route will be clockwise across glorious park and farmland with jumps to tackle and the famous Badminton House and lake as a backdrop. Proceeds go to SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity and the Beaufort Hunt.
Visit: www.badmintonride.com
Don’t miss the real deal: Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, 3-7 May 2017, www.badminton-horse.co.uk
