Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our round-up of the most interesting things going on in the equestrian world, plus what the weather has in store.
Weekend weather
The weather forecast for this weekend (20-21 November) is mainly dry and bright on Saturday, following a foggy start in central and eastern England, with showers in the south west and north east. On Sunday the wet weather will be mainly in the east, with a dry but cloudy day in the west.
Get out and about
It’s the Brightwells Celebration of British Dressage and elite dressage sale at Addington Manor in Bucks on Saturday. Following a new format this year, the event will include the Stars of the Future sale of elite dressage horses, the DHI Stal Bekelaar £10,000 Dressage Challenge for horses previously sold at the sale, and three new £1,000 Freestyle Champion of Champions competitions, which will see the national and winter British Dressage champions compete at medium, advanced medium and prix st george. For more details visit www.brightwells.com.
There is also the Carran Stud reduction sale taking place on Saturday at Penrhiw Farm Buildings, Llanwenarth, Abergavenny, NP7 7ES. The sale starts at 12noon and includes Irish Draught, sports, part-bred and coloured horses. The lots include mares and foals, yearlings, two- and three-year olds. For more information contact Rachel Thomas 01446 772911 or email rachelthomas@hrt.uk.com.
Fans of Tim Stockdale shouldn’t miss the East of England Equine Fair (Saturday and Sunday, 8am til 5pm) at Peterborough showground. This packed day out promises entertaining and educational demonstrations, plus a shopping village brimming with a wide variety of equestrian products, advice and information. For more details visit www.contour.uk.net.
Let’s go racing
If you fancy a day out at the races this weekend, there are a number of meetings to choose from. The highlights of the weekend include National Hunt action from Haydock Park and Ascot on Saturday, and Aintree on Sunday.
It’s Betfair Chase Day at Haydock Park and there is some cracking jump racing on offer. Gates open at 10:40am with the first race underway at 12.40pm. Paul Nicholls will host a Betfair Chase raceday preview in the Sprint Cup Bar at 11.30am. Racegoers can listen to the panel of Paul Nicholls, Simon Walker (Timeform Radio) and Alex Steedman (Racing UK), which will be followed by a question and answer session. And you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with members of the Coronation Street cast too. For more details visit www.haydock-park.co.uk
It’s all rather festive at Ascot, where the feature race is the £100,000 Grade 2 Coral Ascot Hurdle over two miles and three and a half furlongs. Between races visitors can enjoy the on-site Christmas shopping market plus Irish band, Murphy’s Marbles will be performing throughout the day. Gates open at 10.45am with the first race at 12.20pm. For more details visit www.ascot.co.uk
Then on Sunday it’s all eyes on Aintree, with two races over the famous Grand National fences. There will be plenty of festive cheer on hand as children have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer, as well as Christmas shopping and live Christmas music. And the kids go free. Gates open at 10.00am, with the first race underway at 12.05pm. For more details visit www.aintree.co.uk
Other racing action includes:
- Saturday evening racing at Wolverhampton’s all-weather track followed by live entertainment from Bootleg Abba
- All-weather racing at Lingfield Park gets underway at 11.45am on Saturday, with the gates open from 9.45am
- National hunt racing at Huntingdon. Gates open 10.30am, first race 12.30pm
- Go racing for FREE at Towcester Racecourse on Sunday 21 November from 12:25 – 15:50.
- Countryside Day at Kelso racecourse on Sunday 21 November including a Foxhound show, The Drakes of Hazard display team, Falcon Display, Ferret Racing and more. Gates open: 10.10am, first race: 12.10pm
Get out with your horse
If you are looking to compete this weekend, then check out what affiliated and unaffiliated shows are on in your area by searching the H&H shows database.
Staying in
Horse & Country TV are showing episodes of their new series “At home with Carl Hester” and “How to success at Prelim” over the weekend, while FEI TV subscribers can watch live World Cup jumping action from Stuttgart on Sunday 21 November. There is also live online streaming of the action from the Stuttgart German Masters competition available for free via www.cpm24.tv throughout the weekend.
View complete equestrian TV listings
Whatever you get up to, we hope you have a great weekend!
The H&H team
- Do you know of something interesting happening in your area next weekend? Email details to hheditor@ipcmedia.com
