Disabled riders meet “Buffy” star
“Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” star, Antony Head will attend this weekend’s Riding for the Disabled National Championships at Hartpury College (19-20 July) and will meet some of the disabled riders taking part in the event.
Antony will present prizes with his partner and co-host of the ITV animal documentary seriesTalking to Animals Sarah Fisher, as well as equine behaviour specialist Richard Maxwell.
Around 220 riders with disabilities are expected to attend the two-day show to compete in a range of classes including:
- Dressage
- Horse/Pony and Rider
- Horsecare and Knowledge Quiz
- Tack and Turnout
- Vaulting
The event will also host a carriage driving display and a musical ride video competition, plus displays by Richard Maxwell and “Chester” Marsland, an above-knee amputee, who will be demonstrating American reining.
The championships have grown considerably since Hartpury began hosting them in 1994, with an 83% increase in competitors’ numbers over from last year.
“We have done a great deal of hard work this year in persuading disabled riding groups to put forward more of their members as candidates,” says Kay Woodcock, Riding for the Disabled Championship Secretary. “The increase in numbers indicates that the message seems to have got through.”
For more information about the Riding for the Disabled National Championships, visit: www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.