From 5 – 8 June all roads lead to Yorkshire for the 51st Defender Bramham International Horse Trials and this year’s event is shaping up to be a cracker. The spring sunshine has the iconic park looking stunning, the equestrian entries are flooding in and the final planning is underway so secure your tickets and plan your 2025 Bramham journey.
The showpiece in Bramham’s timetable are the eventing competitions with the Defender CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S which for 2025 includes a dedicated aware for the best under 25 rider. It’s FEI European Championships year and this time, Britain plays host to event at the Agria Blenheim Palace Horse Trials over 18 – 21 September – go well at Bramham and horse and rider combinations from all over Europe could put their names in the frame for selection. The entry roster stands at 140 currently with a star-studded 15 nations represented. Britain’s Olympic team gold medalist Tom McEwen, reigning world champion Yasmin Ingham and last year’s 50th anniversary champion Harry Meade are just a few of the names entered at present.
Bramham is synonymous with delivering stunning cross-country courses adored by riders and spectators alike. This year is the debut for new designer Andrew Heffernan as he takes over the legacy left by Ian Stark. Working closely with course builder and master of the chainsaw David Evans, Andrew is looking to make his mark with a test befitting of the Bramham tradition but with his own stamp.
Eventing may be at the heart of Bramham but there’s a host of other equestrian competitions too. There’s youngstock and hunter showing classes, a Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier and British Showjumping classes including a Horse of the Year Show qualifier, a six bar, accumulator and the show’s curtain call, the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix. The Saracens Horse Feeds Arena Eventing classes at 100cm, 90cm and new for this year, 80 cm are a huge favorite on Sunday while local Pony Club teams will be in action all weekend with show jumping and mounted games – many a top rider started their journey to the top in The Pony Club so you may see future medalists in action.
Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “We’ve had a fantastic spring on the Bramham Estate with the Park looking truly radiant and green. We’ve welcomed Andrew [Heffernan] and David [Evans]for a few visits and the estate staff are working hard to provide the very best for all our visitors. Andrew brings a new perspective, and I think everyone’s going to love his vision.
“The team and I are in final countdown mode with plans well advanced for what we hope will be another memorable chapter in Bramham’s history. The Lane Fox family and Bramham team are looking forward to welcoming competitors, their connections, our army of officials and volunteers, our sponsors and our visitors.”
ONES TO WATCH – CCI-L 4*
Izzy Taylor and SBH BIG WALL
There’s no denying that Izzy has enjoyed a remarkable series of partnerships, achieving significant success along the way. We have a real soft spot for her striking grey gelding, who placed fifth in the short format here last year and most recently finished second in the CCI-S 4* at Belsay International. Izzy is no stranger to victory at Bramham, having won the CCI-L with MONKEYING AROUND in 2022 and the CCI-S with BE TOUCHABLE in 2018, and TREVIDDEN in 2017.
Bubby Upton and ITS COOLEY TIME
Bubby has made an impressive comeback from injury, steadily regaining top form. She was the U25 Champion here in 2023 with Rachel Upton & Zebedee Syndicate’s MAGIC ROUNDABOUT. ITS COOLEY TIME has shown consistent excellence over the past year, regularly finishing in the top ten and most recently placing fourth in the CCI-S 4* at Belsay
Toshiyuki Tanaka and JEFFERSON JRA
Named as the travelling reserve for Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Toshiyuki Tanaka and JEFFERSON JRA were called up to compete following the withdrawal of Ryuzo Kitajima’s ride, CEKATINKA. Rising to the occasion, the pair delivered a clear round and helped secure a team bronze medal. Most recently, they placed seventh in the CCI-S 4* at Burnham Market. Consistently strong performers, they’re regularly in contention — but still chasing that elusive top spot.
Harry Meade and JET FIGHTER / COOLEY ANYTHING YOU LIKE
Ranked World #1 in the FEI Eventing Athlete Rankings, Harry secured victory in last year’s CCI-L 4* aboard ANNAGHMORE VALONER. His momentum has continued, highlighted by a third-place finish with CAVALIER CRYSTAL and fourth with ANNAGHMORE VALONER at the prestigious Defender Burghley Horse Trials, followed by a win with GRAFFENACHT at Montelibretti. Harry brings forward JET FIGHTER and COOLEY ANYTHING YOU LIKE for the CCI-L 4*.
Barnie Brotherton and DHI KING NELSON
It’s no surprise that Barnie is forging a successful path of his own, having previously worked as a rider for Harry Meade. His rise through the ranks has been impressive, representing Team GB at the 2023 Young Rider European Championships, finishing 11th on his CCI-L 4* debut at Lignières, and earning a spot on the late Caroline Moore’s Performance Mentoring Programme (PMP). Most recently, he was part of the winning GB Nations Cup team at Bicton, riding the promising 10-year-old stallion, DHI KING NELSON.
Sarah Bullimore and CORIMIRO
Consistently impressive, this 9-year-old homebred out of LILLY CORINNE is certainly one to watch. CORIMIRO made his mark with a third-place finish in the CCI-S 4* at Belsay International — on Sarah’s birthday, no less — and now makes his Bramham debut. Sarah has a strong legacy with this family line: she represented Great Britain at the 2015 Eventing European Championships at Blair Castle with LILLY CORINNE, and later earned an individual bronze medal at the 2021 European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, aboard COROUET, Lilly‘s homebred son. Could CORIMIRO be the next chapter in this remarkable homebred story? A hat trick may just be on the horizon.
Oliver Townend and DROMGURRIHY GOLD
This talented nine-year-old chestnut, formerly campaigned by Tim and Jonelle Price, is now embarking on his first season with Oliver. The pair have already made an impressive start, securing top-five finishes in three of their four outings this season. We’re eager to see how they rise to the challenge at Bramham. With a history of strong performances here, Oliver could be on the brink of a well-deserved title win.
Gemma Stevens and CHILLI KING
By CHILLI MORNING, the exceptional stallion who won Bramham an impressive three times with William Fox-Pitt, “Raff” finished second in the CCI-S 4* at Thoresby in March and makes his first trip to Bramham for his CCI-L 4* debut. Gemma is no stranger to success at Bramham either, having previously claimed victory twice in the CCI-S 4* — once with CHICO BELLA P and again with QUICKLOOK V. Just last weekend, she added to her accolades with a remarkable double win at Millstreet, triumphing in both the CCI-L 4* and CCI-L 3*.
Louise Romeike and CASPIAN 15
Louise represented Sweden at the 2020 Summer Olympics, competing in both Individual and Team Eventing with her horse, Cato. She is married to Claas Romeike, and her father-in-law, Hinrich Romeike, famously won individual and team gold at the 2008 Olympic Games — making eventing a true family tradition. Most recently, riding CASPIAN 15, Louise delivered an impressive win at MARBACH, earning a dressage score of 25.0 with a beautifully executed test.
ONES TO WATCH – CCI-S 4*
Caroline Harris and D.DAY
Rain may be in the forecast — and that could be just what this pair needs. Caroline Harris and D. DAY seem to thrive in wet conditions. In her debut 5* season, Caroline claimed victory at Pau on a rainy day, following a win at Lignières CCI4*-S the previous month, also in the rain. In May 2023, they added a third-place finish at a very soggy Chatsworth CCI4*-S. Slippery when wet? Not for these two!
Piggy March and MCS MAVERICK
This is a new ride for the formidable Piggy March. MCS MAVERICK already has proven form, having won here in 2023 in the CCI-L under Pippa Funnell. Now under Piggy’s expert guidance, this partnership will be one to watch.
Alex Hua Tian and CHICKO
The ever-elegant Alex Hua Tian has built a strong record with CHICKO. The pair won the Ballindenisk CCI4*-S, placed third at Little Downham International, and finished fourth in the CCI5*-L at Pau in 2024. With momentum building, they’ll be aiming to make a major statement in 2025.
Tom Woodward and LOW MOOR LUCKY
LOW MOOR LUCKY was Tom’s first horse after ponies, and the pair have risen through the levels together—from BE100 to 4*. In 2021, they claimed Tom’s first international win at Cornbury House YR 3*, followed by a 3* victory at Somerford Park in 2022. They made their 5* debut at Badminton, and although they retired on course, their impressive 27.9 dressage test was a standout moment and valuable learning experience.
Yasmin Ingham and GOLIATH DU LOIR
With a striking flaxen tail and plenty of presence, this eye-catching gelding is turning heads. He impressed in the OI at Aston le Walls and finished just outside the top ten in the CCIO4*-NC-S at Bicton. Under Yasmin Ingham — 2023 European team gold medallist and 2022 World Champion — Goliath du Loir looks every inch a star in the making.
