Scott Brash and Piggy March in Nations Cup action, plus four other events to follow this week

It’s a busy week in the equestrian world, from Nations Cup action at CSIO5* Rome and Houghton, to hot dressage competition in Cheshire…

1. CSIO5* Rome, Italy

Dates: 26-29 May
More info: piazzadisiena.it/en/
How to watch: Horse & Country
Get the H&H lowdown: catch up with the highlights online and in the 2 June issue of H&H magazine
Why we’re excited about it: CSIO5* Rome is one of the most stunning shows in the calendar and hugely popular with riders. You can cheer for the British squad of Donald Whitaker, Holly Smith, Joe Stockdale, James Wilson and Scott Brash in Friday’s Nations Cup while the Rolex grand prix on Sunday is top class showjumping at its very best.

2. Somerford Park Premier League, Cheshire

Dates: 27-29 May
More info: somerfordpark.co.uk/
How to watch: Horse & Country
Get the H&H lowdown: full report in the 2 June issue
Why we’re excited about it: Premier League action is always hot at Somerford Park, where the facilities are fabulous, and this year’s event draws some top names, including Michael Eilberg and Becky Moody. Expect fiercely contested classes across the levels as riders seek coveted direct qualification to the National Dressage Championships in September – also held at Somerford Park.

3. Barefoot Retreats Houghton Horse Trials, Norfolk

Dates: 26-29 May
More info: schedule and entries on British Eventing website or event website
Get the H&H lowdown: full report in the 2 June issue
Why we’re excited about it: Houghton offers the British leg of the eventing Nations Cup and two established British senior riders in Tom McEwen and Piggy March will team up with two rising stars, Heidi Coy and Phoebe Locke, to take on the other foreign raiders. As well as the Nations Cup class, the CCI4*-S, there’s also a CCI3*-L, an under-21 CCI3*-S and a CCI2*-S, so there’s plenty going on.

4. Chard CSI2/1*/YH, Somerset

Dates: 27-29 May
More info: chardequestrian.co.uk/
How to watch: Clip My Horse TV
Get the H&H lowdown: full report in next week’s issue of H&H, in the shops Thursday 2 June
Why we’re excited about it: another great opportunity to enjoy international jumping on home soil with a spectrum of classes from young horses to a 1.45m ranking grand prix and entries from key names such as Mark Edwards, Adam and Jessica Botham and Trevor Breen.

5. Hambleton District Show

Dates: 28-29 May
More info: Hambletonshow.com
Get the H&H lowdown: full report in 9 June issue of H&H magazine
Why we’re excited about it: a traditional show located in York countryside hosting Royal International qualifiers as well as a Horse of the Year Show supreme in-hand semi-final qualifier. Saturday will conclude with a ridden supreme, while winners from Sunday’s ridden and in-hand classes will compete for separate in-hand and ridden supremes.

6. CSI5*/4* Longines Global Champions Tour of Hamburg and Hamburg Derby

Dates: 25-29 May
More info: hamburgderby.de/en or gcglobalchampions.com
How to watch: gctv.gcglobalchampions.com (LGCT classes) and Clip My Horse TV (CSI4* classes including the Hamburg Derby)
Get the H&H lowdown: we’ll bring you all the news at horseandhound.co.uk and highlights from the feature classes in next week’s issue of the magazine (2 June issue)
Why we’re excited about it: we are thrilled to have derbies back in the showjumping calendar and the legendary Hamburg Derby is a brilliant spectacle, running alongside more five-star action from the LGCT and we can’t wait! Big names in action at the show include John Whitaker, Marcus Ehning, Shane Breen and Harry Charles.

You might also be interested in:

Rising stars, five-star performers and Zara Tindall among the entries for Bramham

‘The score can go even higher’: Lottie Fry leads the way for Britain with two wins at Compiègne CDIO5*

A ‘wild’ mare, two Olympic eventers and a prolific British-bred: who won showjumping ribbons this week?

Andrew Nicholson: ‘Riders must use their gears when riding cross-country’

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Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.