About Cornbury House Horse Trials
Vision
A unique eventing experience, Cornbury House Horse Trials promises to be a stylish, fun, and thrilling experience for competitors and spectators from all around the world with 19 countries represented.
An unmissable social event, including VIP & corporate hospitality marquees overlooking the show jumping arena, with seasonal menus curated in partnership with the team at highly-acclaimed The Bull in Charlbury and live entertainment. Enjoy locally sourced food and drink across the site plus independent retail with luxurious, local brands; plus access to the otherwise private Deer Park and wider historic parkland.
What’s On
A Message from Our Founder
“There is so much planned for Cornbury House Horse Trials in 2024 which we are very excited about. I have made no secret of the fact that I am passionate about supporting the best British-based talent, and that we are utterly committed to helping the stars of our sport – present and future – to reach their goals.
We are thrilled to be holding the prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships, and we have lots more exciting plans to reveal over the coming months for our spectators here at Cornbury in September.”
– David Howden, Founder & President of Cornbury House Horse Trials
Eventing Explained
Eventing is a comprehensive test of the all-round ability of horse and rider, in which the rider must prove the training of his or her horse and their partnership together.
Sometimes described as ‘equine triathlon’, eventing comprises three phases: dressage, show jumping and cross-country.
Dressage, with the stunning backdrop of Cornbury House, tests the basic training of the horse, who must demonstrate obedience, suppleness, calmness, accuracy and elegance. A system of penalty points awarded for each dressage test means that the lower the score, the better.
Show jumping, which takes place in Cornbury House Horse Trials beautiful main arena in the heart of the event site, is where horses must jump cleanly and carefully yet boldly over brightly coloured fences which knock down. A clear round means no penalties are added to the initial dressage score, but penalties are given for refusals, knockdowns or exceeding the optimum time.
Cross-country lies at the heart of the sport of eventing. Horses and riders tackle a course of solid fences at speed, and stamina, bravery, fitness, and accuracy are tested. Penalties are added to their score for errors and exceeding the optimum time, and – as in the show jumping phase – a fall incurs elimination.
At the end of the three phases, the combination of horse and rider with the lowest score wins.