Belsay Horse Trials has received more than 100 entries from 12 different nations for its first-ever CCI4*-S (16-18 May).
This bumper entry for Belsay (1) includes a pair of CCI5* winners: Olympic gold medallist and former world champion Ros Canter brings her 2023 Pau CCI5* hero Izilot DHI, while Caroline Harris will ride D Day, on whom she won the French CCI5* last October. Other famous names include Britain’s Piggy March and Bubby Upton, the all-conquering New Zealand husband and wife duo Tim and Jonelle Price, Irish Olympian Aoife Clark, Italian Olympic rider Giovanni Ugolotti, China’s Alex Hua Tian, up-and-coming USA star Cosby Green and leading Scottish eventer Wills Oakden.
This is the first of two international fixtures at the popular Northumbrian venue in May, and is acting as a replacement for the lost event at Chatsworth. It is the first time that Belsay will host a class at FEI CCI4*-S level, which will take place alongside a CCI2*-S, and national advanced and novice classes. The event is being sponsored by leading London law firm Forsters LLP and wealth management company RBC Brewin Dolphin.
The Chaser Communications-sponsored advanced class will also be compulsory viewing for star-spotters; among the entries are Irish CCI5* winner Austin O’Connor, New Zealand Olympian Clark Johnstone and young British team hopefuls Emily King and Tom Jackson.
While Belsay (1) has attracted top partnerships from all over Britain – and further afield – there are also a host of local riders hoping to make an impact in this beautiful setting, which features the historic Belsay Castle as a backdrop. Northumberland’s Jack Mantel and Katie Magee will be fresh from making their Badminton CCI5* debuts, while others to watch include Emma Carmichael, Laura Fenwick, Harry Mutch and Will Murray.
One face familiar to anyone who has followed eventing in the past half-century will be that of Ian Stark – former European champion, winner of many world, Olympic and European medals for Britain and, appropriately, the recently-retired course-designer of tracks such as Chatsworth and the Maryland CCI5* in the USA. Ian, now 71, will ride seven-year-old CCS Dance Monkey, whom he owns in partnership with Chatsworth’s owner the Duchess of Devonshire, in the novice class sponsored by Falcons Events.
Belsay organiser Laura de Wesselow said: “I’m thrilled with the entries for Belsay’s inaugural CCI4* and advanced competition; we can’t wait to see brilliant horses and riders from a total of 14 nations compete here for three days of great sport. The new cross-country courses and the new event layout are looking superb, thanks to a lot of hard work from our team, and we have all the ingredients for a wonderful event.”
Belsay’s well-established fixture featuring international classes from CCI1*-CCI3* and the Pony and Junior National Championships will take place in its usual place in the calendar from 28 May-1 June.
Belsay (1) will occupy a largely different part of the Belsay estate, with fresh cross-country courses designed by Adrian Ditcham, to Belsay (2), in order to give competitors the best possible ground conditions and exciting, varied tracks that will both challenge and reward horses and riders.
Tickets are on sale for both Belsay (1) and (2). The “Belsay Bundle” ticket offering gives you discounted tickets for both events, ensuring that you can enjoy maximum eventing action for a cheaper price, whether you are just coming for a day or wanting to enjoy the full camping experience over both weekends. For example, a one-day adult “Bundle” ticket for Friday, Saturday or Sunday of both events costs just £20, with a saving of £10.
Visit www.belsayhorsetrials.co.uk for more information and to buy tickets.
