An exciting new addition to The Howden Way programme is announced today. A bespoke, Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, will join the existing areas of The Howden Way, designed to give expert tuition and training to riders that take on former racehorses.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme will be run by British Eventing and sit alongside the existing areas of The Howden Way; The Howden Regional Training Academy, The Howden Talent Academy, The Howden Young Horse Academy and The Howden Way Young Horse Leagues.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, within The Howden Way structure, will be specifically designed to assist riders from the initial point of taking on a horse leaving racing and transitioning to a riding horse. The programme will both encourage and assist those taking on a former racehorse by giving them the security of knowing they will have a comprehensive care programme wrapped around them. The programme will encompass everything that riders will need to know from both caring for ex-racehorses in terms of their nutrition, routine and welfare needs through to their ridden retraining. It will sit alongside the existing resource and guidance provided by Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

Coaching will be delivered by British Eventing Level 3 and above coaches who have gone through the Thoroughbred Aftercare standardisation programme and further supported with knowledge sharing from experts within their chosen field.
Further details about the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme and how riders can sign up to the programme will follow.

The world number one, the current world and European champions, Olympic gold medallists, competitors from 19 different nations, and nearly 1,000 horses – the stage is set for an eventing bonanza at Cornbury House Horse Trials (6-10 September).

Famous names such as Zara Tindall, William Fox-Pitt, Ros Canter, Tim and Jonelle Price, Andrew Hoy, Tom McEwen, Andrew Nicholson, Piggy March and Laura Collett are bringing horses to Cornbury ranging from the stars of their stables to their most promising young talent. Alongside these top professionals will be the best of the next generation, competing in the weekend’s under-21 and Pony classes under the banner of The Howden Way.

The Oxfordshire event, founded by David Howden at his home, Cornbury Park, in 2020, has quickly become a smash hit with riders and owners, who appreciate the exceptional efforts David and his team go to to provide the best possible conditions, courses and facilities – and prize-money..

Tom McEwen, individual silver and team gold medallist from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the inaugural winner of Cornbury’s Leading Rider Award (£2,500 and a magnificent silver perpetual trophy), said: “Cornbury is a fantastic event and gets better and better each year. It’s a great place for young horses to gain experience of the atmosphere of a top-class event, with its spectacular main arena and educational but imposing cross-country courses. And owners love it – it’s a very special place and I’m very much looking forward to the week.”

This year Cornbury hosts the prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships for the first time. A year on from David Howden’s instigation of training and talent pathway system The Howden Way in partnership with British Eventing, several members of The Howden Way’s Young Horse Academy are entered in the seven-year-old championship: Zorro B (Lucy Sugden), Carpo Vivendi (Jack Pinkney) and Harthill Samba (Charlotte Rowe).

Alongside the equestrian sport at Cornbury House Horse Trials, new for 2023 is ‘Field Food’ – a celebration of local food and drink, including produce from the Cornbury estate, a range of interactive children’s activities (Wildings) across the weekend, excellent hospitality in partnership with The Pelican, W11 and sister pub, The Bull in neighbouring Charlbury and finally some post-event entertainment following the competition to create a woodland festival feel.

Cornbury House Horse Trials is possibly the only event now in the UK to provide a totally free livestream of all the cross-country action from Thursday, 7 September to Sunday, 10 September. This will be shown on the event’s website, cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.

To buy tickets, see timetables of each competition and for more information, visit cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has been announced as Cornbury House Horse Trials’ official charity for 2023. 

Enriching lives through horses, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) benefits the lives of over 17,000 disabled children and adults across the UK. Activities including riding and carriage driving. The charity provides therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement, all of which is supported by 13,000 amazing volunteers and qualified coaches at nearly 500 RDA centres all over the UK.

The RDA will have a range of activities taking place across the site at Cornbury House Horse Trials this year, which runs from 6-10 September, and the partnership is designed as both a fundraising and awareness-boosting opportunity for the RDA.

Spectators can find a designated RDA stand on Saturday 9-Sunday 10 September, featuring the local New Yatt RDA group along with the RDA’s riding simulator, a mechanical horse fondly known as Charley. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the motion of riding a horse. Adults and children are welcome and donations encouraged. 

Additionally, across the weekend, there will be some furry faces from Cotswold RDA visiting, showcasing the unique RDA nationwide initiative, Tea with a Pony. Tea with a Pony is a non-riding session that provides emotional wellbeing with notable therapeutic benefits. Meet some RDA ponies and find out about the benefits of Tea with a Pony and how you can become involved.

David Howden, Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials said: “This is a very important and worthwhile charity which is close to my heart given my love of horses. I am very aware of the positive impact of horse therapy and the work that this charity and their team of volunteers do each year. We look forward to working with the RDA and their team to create a meaningful partnership which raises worthwhile funds.”

Lisa Davies, Head of Communications and Insight added: “RDA are delighted and proud to be a charity partner of Cornbury House Horse Trials and we look forward to introducing RDA to visitors at this prestigious event. Weekend visitors will be able to meet real RDA therapy ponies, or support our life changing work and ride mechanical dressage horse Charley! Local RDA Groups, New Yatt and Cotswold RDA, will be on hand to answer questions about our work providing opportunity, inclusion and fun for disabled people through equestrian activities. It looks set to be a fantastic event and we can’t wait!”

Established by David Howden at his home in Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, in 2020, this event has taken the equestrian world by storm in just three years – and there are many innovations for 2023.

For the first time, Cornbury House Horse Trials (CHHT) will host the highly prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-olds. These will run alongside the well-established international classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level.

In keeping with David Howden’s passion for helping and promoting young talent, there will also be a new Pony Trial at 1.05m level. This means that CHHT 2023 has three classes for under-21 riders: the Youth Performance CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S sections, and a Pony Trial, all supported by The Howden Way, the development and coaching pathways set up by David Howden in conjunction with British Eventing.

Once again, CHHT’s prize-money will be the highest in the UK at each level, with a total prize-fund for the open sections of the CCI3*-S and seven-year-old championships in excess of £7,000. The five- and six-year-old championships, open sections of the CCI2*-S and under-21 CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S will have a prize-fund of more than £3,000 per class.

The Leading Rider throughout the event will receive a perpetual trophy and a cheque for £2,500.

There will also be British Eventing national intermediate and open intermediate classes.

The cross-country course, designed by David Evans, will have a new look for 2023 with a re-sited start and finish area, and there will be a new track at 1.05m for the five-year-old championship class and the Pony Trial. Dutch international event rider Andrew Heffernan is assisting David Evans and course-builder Adrian Ditcham in the production of CHHT’s courses and is responsible for designing the CCI3*-S track..

For the first time, the 2023 Cornbury House Horse Trials will offer competitors the chance to stable on-site in the high-quality Woodhouse barn-style stabling available at premium events such as Burghley. Stabling should be booked when entries are made.

David Howden said: “We have an incredibly exciting week to look forward to. I am absolutely delighted that Cornbury House is hosting the hugely important Young Horse Championships, as well as a full range of opportunities for our best young riders. Since Cornbury House Horse Trials inception in 2020, 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 have made considerable investments in the site once again this year, which I hope will be appreciated by riders, owners, grooms and supporters, as well as visitors.

“And, possibly most excitingly, this year’s event will also have the feel of a woodland festival. ‘Field Food’ will showcase the best local produce and Wildwood kids’ activities will involve immersive woodland crafts for children to enjoy over the weekend. 

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Phil Winser and his brilliant team at The Pelican in Notting Hill and now The Bull in Charlbury to create a superb new feasting style hospitality experience.

“Regenerative farming has been a huge passion of mine for 20 years now and our focus is on producing the best flavoured meat from traditional breeds raised here at Cornbury on slow-growing grass, where biodiversity and soil health are key to achieving this.” 

“It has long been my vision to merge the traditional world of eventing with sustainably sourced food and drink and working together we believe the newly created ‘Pelican in the Field’ will be a fantastic addition to this year’s event.”

Cornbury House Horse Trials (6-10 September) is delighted to announce an exciting partnership with The Pelican, All Saints Road, W11 to launch a new hospitality experience at the international horse trials introducing, ‘The Pelican in the Field.’

Re-defining the traditional hospitality experience, guests can expect a fantastic feasting style menu, set in a relaxed space overlooking the main show-jumping arena. On arrival, guests will be greeted by an Oyster station followed by The Pelican’s signature open-fire cooking style, using neighbouring Cornbury Farm meat as well as an array of delicious salads using  locally grown produce, with a cheese table and dessert options for later in the afternoon. 

The Pelican, located in the heart of Notting Hill is renowned for its interactive style of cooking and has also recently opened a sister pub, The Bull which is located next to the Cornbury Estate in the local town of Charlbury. 

Commenting on the new partnership, David Howden, Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Phil Winser and his brilliant team at The Pelican and now The Bull to create an exciting new experience here at Cornbury this year. 

“Regenerative farming has been a huge passion of mine for 20 years now and our focus is on producing the best flavoured meat from traditional breeds raised here at Cornbury on slow-growing grass, where biodiversity and soil health are key to achieving this.” 

“It has long been my vision to merge the traditional world of eventing with sustainably sourced food and drink and working together we believe the newly created ‘Pelican in the Field’ will be a fantastic addition to this year’s event.”

Phil Winser at The Pelican added: “We are really excited about this partnership with Cornbury House Horse Trials and to introduce a new interactive hospitality experience. With thanks to David Howden and his team, we will be cooking on open fires and offering Cornbury Farm raised meat for the best possible flavour. ”

Cornbury House Horse Trials takes place across five days in September in the heart of the Cotswolds. With its visually stunning backdrops of Cornbury House and the Wychwood Forest, this year’s event promises a boutique experience for attendees, where the world of traditional eventing collides with a woodland festival atmosphere. 

Away from the equestrian action and new for 2023, a celebration of all things food and drink with the introduction of “Field Food” offering a showcase of delicious locally-produced artisan options for attendees to enjoy. This will include a range of offerings from local farms along with local beers, ales and cocktails to enjoy from the new on-site public bar, the aptly named “Wychwood Inn”.

Immersive woodland kids activities will be on offer over the weekend (9-10 September) along with some ‘apres’ style entertainment featuring live music after the competition has finished.  

Tickets for ‘The Pelican in the Field’ are available to purchase for £125pp and includes admission to the Horse Trials.

Introducing ‘Wildings’ at Cornbury House Horse Trials. An action-packed dedicated space for kids and families to get involved with a range of FREE interactive activities over Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September 2023. 

Taking inspiration from the nearby Wychwood Forest, the main centrepiece will be the Cornbury Wishing Tree, which is woven from willow by Willow Pool. Children will be learning about and making leaves to decorate it throughout the weekend based on the trees found in the forest along with items found on the woodland floor. 

As part of the Willow Pool programme of activities, children and parents will also be able to take part in their willow weaving workshops and for those wanting to get their hands dirty, we’ve got it covered with some clay animal making (washing facilities provided). 

Finally, don’t miss the Junk Trunk, one mighty colourful and sustainable craft workshop. Whether it’s creating your own fancy headwear, making jewellery, wands or flags, there is something to suit all ages and of course there will be a nod to Cornbury House Horse Trials with some horsey headwear!  

A dedicated team will be on hand to help with those imaginative creations and even better, all the activities are Free to enjoy. 

The full list of kids activities as follows: 

• Willow weaving
• Leaf making to decorate the Cornbury Wishing Tree
• Clay animal making 
• Junk Trunk craft workshop 

Please note the Wildwood Kids Zone will operate across the weekend of 9-10 September only. Kids 12 and Under are Free to attend Cornbury House Horse Trials which runs from 6-10 September. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk 

The Oxfordshire event, which takes place in the beautiful parkland surrounding Cornbury House outside Charlbury, is stepping up a gear – or two – this year. 

For the first time, Cornbury is hosting the highly prestigious British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-old horses. This is in addition to The Howden Way National Youth Championships for under-21 riders, international FEI classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level along with the national intermediate competitions.

Since its inception in 2020, event founder David Howden has been determined to give horses and riders every possible chance to produce their best performances, and has invested significantly in the conditions and infrastructure at Cornbury to allow this. This year, a second main arena in the heart of the site has been created out of the undulating parkland, and the cross-country courses have been altered to provide an improved start and finish point.

Away from the equestrian action and new for 2023, a celebration of all things food and drink will be a key part of the event with the introduction of “Field Food” offering a showcase of delicious locally-produced artisan options for attendees to enjoy. This will include open Asados (Argentinian barbecue food), a range of offerings from local farms including Cornbury and Bruern, along with delicious homemade ice-cream from the cows down the road at The Dairy, Honeysuckle Farm. There will also be a selection of local ales to enjoy including the popular Hawkstone Lager from the our on site public bar, the aptly named ‘Wychwood Inn.’ 

On the Saturday and Sunday of the event (9-10 September), families with young children can enjoy immersive ‘Wildwood Crafts’ throughout the afternoon with children 12 and under attending for free. To round the event off, there will be ‘apres’ style evening entertainment once the equestrian action has finished for the day on Friday, 8 September and Saturday, 9 September with live music and much more. 

David Howden said: “I am very excited about the way in which we are developing Cornbury House Horse Trials. My passions for horses, promoting youth, Cornbury and the local area are being united to produce a wonderful celebration of all those elements and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. 

“We have been working hard to re-establish the horse trials and are now looking forward to taking it to the next level. I look  forward to welcoming everyone to our fourth year and creating a modern take on this equestrian tradition while giving our athletes, horses, owners and partners a fantastic time.”

With its visually stunning backdrops of Cornbury House and the Wychwood Forest, thrilling sport and high-class family-friendly entertainment, Cornbury House Horse Trials promises a wonderful afternoon for all. 

Tickets – Coming Soon

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Benjamin Bounce completed on a score of 26.5 to take Section A of the CCI3*-S at Cornbury House Horse Trials over the weekend. This is the second CCI3*-S title this season for the gelding owned by Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry.

Section B of the CCI3*-S went to Georgie Goss and Feloupe owned by Nicky Cooper, Suzanne Doggett and Lucy Fleming; they completed on a score of 32.8.

Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall owned by Jane Timmis took the top spot in CCI3*-S Section C with a total score of 30.9.

The CCI-S Y3* went to Millie Juleff with her own and Darren Juleff’s All We Need. They completed on their dressage score of 27.5

Charlotte Bull becomes National Junior Champion

The Howden Way National Junior Championships for under-18 riders, run at CCI2*-S level, also took place at Cornbury House Horse Trials.  The title went to Charlotte Bull and Jesse Campbell’s Amsterdam 21, who added just 0.8-time penalties to their dressage score to finish on a total of 29.1. Less than a mark behind them on a score of 30 was Livvy Dorman with Dyablo owned by Patricia Laws; and Holly Clarke took third with Alex Clarke’s Nico.

Full results

For full results from all the classes that took place at the 2022 Cornbury House Horse Trials, visit British Eventing  here.

The sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen on the first day of Cornbury House Horse Trials 2022 cast a shadow over the weekend, but, given The Queen’s many connections to the equestrian world, it was decided the event should continue while showing respect and appreciation for a lady whose own love of horses chimed so well with that of everyone attending the event.

Congratulations to all the competitors who joined us at Cornbury this year – and thank you to them for their support during what is just our third event.

Our winners were:

CCI3*-S section A: Tom McEwen and Brookfield Benjamin Bounce, owned by Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry

CCI3*-S section B: Georgie Goss and Feloupe, owned by Nicky Cooper, Suzanne Doggett and Lucy Fleming

CCI3*-S section C: Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall, owned by Jane Timmis

Special prizes for the top three seven-year-olds in the CCI3*-S sections: 1st SBH Big Wall (ridden by Izzy Taylor and owned by SBH Big Wall); 2nd King’s Especiale (ridden by Caroline Martin and owned by Redfield King’s HX Group); 3rd Madford Law (ridden by Anna Johannson and owned by Clare Crocker and Anna Johannson)

CCI2*-S section G: Caroline Martin and Galwaybay Redfield HSH Connor, owned by Caroline and Sherrie Martin and Luann McElduff

CCI2*-S section H: Bubby Upton and It’s Cooley Time, owned by Bubby Upton

CCI2*-S section I: Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro, owned by Brett Bullimore, Bruce Saint and Christopher and Susan Gillespie

CCI2*-S section J: Henrietta Ewell and I Ellie Jay Bumble, owned by Lucy Counsell

Special prizes for the top three six-year-olds in the CCI2*-S sections: 1st Corimiro (ridden by Sarah Bullimore and owned by Brett Bullimore, Bruce Saint and Christopher and Susan Gillespie); 2nd Galwaybay Redfield HSH Connor (ridden by Caroline Martin and owned by Caroline and Sherrie Martin and Luann McElduff); 3rd Tenz (ridden by Will Rawlin and owned by Suzanne Houchin and Nigella Hall)

The Howden Way Junior National Championships: Charlotte Bull and Amsterdam 21, owned by Jesse Campbell

The Howden Way under-21 CCI3*-S: Millie Juleff and All We Need, owned by Millie and Darren Juleff

Intermediate winners: Padraig McCarthy and Pomp N Circumstance, owned by Sarah Gough; Heidi Coy and Clonshire On Trend, owned by David Ottewell; Michael Owen and Treworder, owned by Jane Buick

Open intermediate winners: Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around, owned by Izzy Taylor and Mark Sartori; Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, owned by Deidre Johnston and Jo and James Lambert; Sarah Bullimore and Corouet, owned by Sarah and Brett Bullimore and The Kew Jumping Syndicate.

Novice winners: Piggy March and Le Rebelle-S, owned by Caroline March; Piggy March and Bhodi, owned by Jayne McGivern; Alicia Hawker and Hazy Dream, owned by Judy Raines.

Open novice winner: Max Warburton and United 36, owned by Michael Stenning.

Leading Rider at CHHT 2022: Tom McEwen