Which horse events would you recommend

H

Highflinger

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 December 2016
Messages
271
Visit site
Hi All
I would like to arrange a good horsey day out (or three!) with friends. We are based in South East . We have done Badminton, Olympia and Hickstead several times and I looking for suggestions for some alternatives. It does not have to be "shows" - anything horse related is an option - I was thinking of maybe a have a go at polo day but any suggestions gratefully received!
 
Have a go at Polo would be great fun and something different if you are all reasonable riders. There is a holiday organised by, I think, Equestrian Escapes, that includes riding in Windsor Great Park - or maybe there are some stables close by that would do that anyway.
Or in the New Forest. Some of the County Shows in the South East, one day events? Are there any Have a Go at Driving places?
 
Eventing wise I’d choose Barbury, Chatsworth or Blenheim for a more relaxing experience over Badminton/Burghley.

Lots of people like Windsor Horse Show, I haven’t been for yonks!

Polo wise, Beaufort run a festival of Polo which is a nice day out, you can do it cheap or expensive! One of the princes usually play and there is often a good charity line up. There is bound to be similar in some of the SE clubs.

Racing is fun, check out Newbury as they often have live music into the evening.
 
I was about to suggest Windsor. Lots to see all in one place and pretty decent trade stands too. I would never have gone normally but we managed to get free tickets a couple of years ago and we had a lovely day out. Even my extremely non horsey OH enjoyed it (he got the tickets so had to come) but I think that had more to do with the free hospitality from Land Rover!
 
Another vote for Windsor, my favourite show. Lots of different things to see, I particularly like watching the military display at the end
 
Great Yorkshire Show - bit of a trip for you but there are loads of showing classes and show jumping and it easily takes a whole day just to look around the tradestands.
 
I should have added the best thing about Windsor is it's very accessible by public transport so you can make the most of the lovely prosecco bar!
 
Burghley without a doubt, my favourite horsey day out. Great food, drink, location and shopping. We sat in sthe sun last year eating fish and chips watching the xc, just fabulous
 
Olympia will always be my favourite!
However can highly recommend Blenheim, I went a couple of years ago and i think I actually preferred it to Burghley.
 
Blenheim is my choice over Badminton - shopping just as good, varied competitions (not juts the 3DE), and less crowds. Minimal queues getting in and out.
Polo is very different and a good day out
 
Highflinger said:
Hi All
I would like to arrange a good horsey day out (or three!) with friends. We are based in South East . We have done Badminton, Olympia and Hickstead several times and I looking for suggestions for some alternatives. It does not have to be "shows" - anything horse related is an option - I was thinking of maybe a have a go at polo day but any suggestions gratefully received!
Click to expand...


Blenheim is a good day out- particularly if you spend to get tickets in the members' enclosure. Gatcombe is a good event but is a bit further.
 
If you are up for 3 days, get some cheapo tickets out of Gatwick and go to the Dublin Horse Show - make sure you include the Sunday and the insane hunt chase!
 
Volunteered at Blenheim for the first time last year and thought it looked a good day out when we had a wander around.

Barbury is good but is not as big as it used to be regarding stalls. Great for being able to watch the main arena while also seeing what's happening on the XC course (it's in a valley).

Winsor is also good for lots of stalls and various rings plus you can usually get deals on the tickets, especially if you're BHS members.
 
Blair is fabulous and is a weekend away. The Monday after is a bank holiday so time to recover. Lots to do around Pitlochry to make a varied, lovely holiday.

Chatsworth is great, everything going on at once; showjumping, dressage and xcountry. I love watching the best riders supporting, educating and guiding novice horses.

Great Yorkshire show is full on, exhausting and utterly brilliant.

If you're looking for a one off, Cumbrian heavy horses and a gallop on the beach with a Suffolk, Clydesdale or Shire.
 
It's easy - any horse trials that start with "B":

Badminton
Burghley
Blenheim
Blair
Barbary
Belsay (Northumberland)
Burgham (Northumberland)

Otherwise at the other end of the alphabet, Windsor it's wonderful!
 
Thanks everyone for your replies - lots of great ideas - the western riding looks to be a good one and I have found somewhere locally that sounds very good . I didn't even think about racing and we have Sandown and Epsom on the door step! Spoilt for choice regarding the horse trial/shows .I think we will have to steadily make our way through the whole list!!
 
Firle Country Show and Horse Trials in May near Lewes, East Sussex.
South of England show at Ardingly. Lots more than horses. I sat and watched a fair bit of the showing last year in the sun drinking coffee and chatting to my friend it was really relaxing. Rest of show is more frantic but lots of horsey and country stuff going on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top