Bramham Horse Trials

Defender Bramham Horse Trials always attracts a top-class field of horses and riders. In 2026 the event held two four-star eventing classes – CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S. The under-25s class that used to run as a separate CCI4*-L class is now incorporated into the CCI4*-S, with special prizes being given to under-25 riders.

Horse & Hound will provide online coverage of Bramham, including breaking news and reports on all the action as it unfolds.

Useful Bramham Horse Trials info

When is Bramham Horse Trials 2027?

Defender Bramham International Horse Trials is taking place on 10 to 13 June 2027. The event will be hosting the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup.

Where is Bramham Horse Trials held?

The four-star event at Bramham runs in June every year at the beautiful Bramham Park Estate in West Yorkshire.

Who is the Bramham course-designer?

Andrew Heffernan took over the role of cross-country course-designer at Bramham in 2025 from Ian Stark. This will be his second year in the role and we look forward to seeing how he further develops the track that runs over the undulating West Yorkshire terrain.

Who has won Bramham?

The CCI4*-L is considered excellent preparation for horses preparing to move up to five-star level, as well as a prestigious title to win in its own right. This class has been running since 1988 and many winners have gone on to achieve great feats in eventing. Previous victors include General Jock in 1993 (Tina Cook), Swizzle In in 1997 (Andrew Hoy), Shear H2O in 1999 (Leslie Law) and Nereo in 2009 (Andrew Nicholson).

William Fox-Pitt holds the record for wins in this class, with six triumphs: on Wallow (2003), Mr Dumbledore (2005), Macchiato (2007), Navigator (2008) and Chilli Morning (2012 and 2013).

Bramham has held a CCI4*-S competition since 2009 and previous winners include Clifton Lush in 2011 (Jock Paget) and Chico Bella P in 2016 (Gemma Tattersall). This class is often used as an unofficial trial for the British senior team for upcoming championships.

The under-25 CCI4*-L, which took place at Bramham from 1997 until 2024, had an illustrious history with many stars of the future coming to prominence here. The section’s past victors include Zara Phillips (Toytown, 2002), Piggy French (Which Way II, 2004), Emily Llewellyn (Pardon Me II, 2009) and Tom McEwen (2013 on Diesel and 2016 on Toledo De Kerser).

Is the BE80 championships at Bramham?

The BE80 championships moved from Bramham to Chillington Park in 2025, after being held at Bramham from 2022 to 2024.

What other competitions are held at Bramham?

Alongside the top-class eventing action, Bramham also hosts other equestrian competition, including affiliated and Pony Club showjumping, mounted games, Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers, arena eventing and showing classes for hunters and eventing youngstock.

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