Bicton International Horse Trials
Event information
Equestrian Action
Welcome to Bicton International Horse Trials in the heart of Devon
Enjoy the thrill of witnessing the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations take on the ultimate equestrian challenge at Bicton International Horse Trials. Set in the glorious Grade I listed parkland, we are delighted to host the Great Britain leg of the prestigious FEI Eventing Nations Cup Series at CCI4* level. With teams expected from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, this competition promises to showcase the very best of our sport.
We are proud to host the National Under-21 Championship at the CCI3*-L level, showcasing emerging talent in the sport and providing a platform for the next generation of aspiring Olympic athletes to excel.
The CCI3*-L and CCI2*-L classes provide an invaluable opportunity for combinations to gain experience and secure essential qualifications for the next step in their career progression. These classes will showcase some of the sport’s rising equine stars, many of whom are likely to compete at the World Young Horse Championships in Le Lion d’Angers, France, at the end of the season.
Provisional timetable
Thursday & Friday: Tickets are not required, a fee of £10 per vehicle will be charged on the gate.
Tickets are required for both Saturday & Sunday.
thursday & Friday
All Combinations will do their Dressage test in the Western Counties Arena on either Thursday or Friday
Saturday
The Action will be both out on the Cross Country Course & in our Western Counties Arena, keep an eye on the links; when the running orders are finalised they will become live!
Nations Cup: Show jump
SUnday
The Action will continue out on the Cross Country Course with the CCI-S 4* In our Western Counties Arena the Long Format Competitors will finish with their Show Jumping Round. They will compete in reverse order… the atmosphere is quite something!
Nations Cup: Cross Country
Please note: This timetable is approximate & subject to change. Links will be LIVE when the information is available (on the day)
What's On
Knights of Middle England
www.knightsofmiddleengland.com
British family entertainment at its best our displays include fast horses, fearless fighting and exciting stunts! You will be submerged into our vibrant world where heroic Knights battle it out in an engaging display that will have both young and old cheering on their favourite Knight, hosted by a professional compere character, who will lead the audience through the show with engaging and interactive storytelling.
A professional team of talented actors, stuntmen, combatants and performers, our hard hitting, adrenaline filled displays will take your event entertainment to the next level with energetic performances, and epic soundtrack of both medieval and modern-day music and impressive, beautiful & specially trained horses.
Family Dog Show
It’s not just horses who can get in on the action – dogs are a big feature too! Bicton really is an event for the whole family, four paws included. Bicton College are running a Family Dog Show on both Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May. The schedule will be available shortly, but rest assured there is a class for everyone. Watch various dog demonstrations including “Lorna Hayes with her 2024 Crufts Champion Dancing Dog Nora” along with Sheepdog displays and dog agility. There will also be an opportunity to try some dog agility with your own four-legged friend.
Kids Corner
Head to Kids Corner to see a host of activities for the whole family to get involved in. There will be tree climbing, inflatable fun, face painting and much more. You might not want to leave as there will be an array of craft stands, food & drink and toilets within an arm’s reach!
Shopping & Event Info
Shopping
With an array of national and local trade stands, visitors can indulge in a spot of retail therapy while mingling with the competitors. Bicton is a great day out, so enjoy spending time with family and friends at Devon’s premier event.
Parking
Access to the event will be clearly signed from surrounding roads, please follow event signage to your relevant parking. All parking is on-site for your convenience and FREE to all attendees. You must however have purchased an admission ticket (available in advance or on the gate) to gain access to the event.
Owners will be a forward car park, situated within easy walking distance of the hub of the event. No cars will be permitted in the lorry park.
ALL public parking will be clearly signed and a short walk to gain access to the event site.
Disabled Car Park – all blue badge holders will have access to the disabled parking, which is adjacent to the owners parking. Please ensure you have a blue badge, as without this you will be unable to access the disabled car park. We recommend purchasing tickets prior to arrival via our box office, however you will be able to purchase tickets on the gate. Failure to produce your blue badge credentials will lead to needing to pay a full price gate ticket. Carers who enter the event in the same car as a disabled person will get in for FREE, however if your carer is coming in a separate vehicle then they will need to purchase a car parking ticket and admission ticket.
Catering
We offer a wide range of food and drink options across the event site, with local cuisine at the very heart of the event. A licensed bar will be available throughout the event.
Are you a trader? Email tiggy@bicton.com for further information and to book a pitch.
Camping
Experience the atmosphere of the whole event by staying on-site. We are delighted to be able to offer on-site camping. We have permanent toilet & shower facilities. For prices and to book camping please visit ticket page.
Trade, Sponsorship & Media
Trade
If you would like to have tradestand space at the May International please fill in the Application form below. If you require further assistance contact Tiggy Fuller.
Sponsorship
May International Horse Trials: To discuss all Sponsorship & networking opportunities please contact Beccy Barrett.
Media
If you have any questions or would like assistance from the media team, please get in touch with April Coate
FAQs
Yes! If you buy 10 or more tickets to the event for one day, you will be able to receive a 30% discount on the admission price. This will be automatically added when you add the tickets to your basket.
ALL parking is complimentary. Please follow event signage which will direct you where to park. You will need to have admission tickets to gain access to the event. These can be purchased at a discounted rate in advance of the event, or purchased at the gate.
Both days have an action-packed timetable and most importantly the cross-country runs on both days, so there really isn’t any advantage to either day. We are hosting the Empire Epic Party on the evening of Saturday 24th May and your Saturday ticket will gain access to this if you wish to stay on into the evening. There will be live music:
There is no such thing as a dress code, but do bear in mind that the event will run come rain or shine so remember to bring a rain coat, wellies and sun cream! The event site is spread over a large area, and the terrain is uneven in places so please ensure that you wear suitable footwear especially if you plan to walk to Cross Country Course and browse the shopping.
This really is an event for the whole family. We encourage you to bring your four-legged friends to Bicton with both ‘have a go’ dog agility and a family dog show running over the weekend.
Please ensure that dogs are kept on a short lead and under control at all times. It is incredibly dangerous to both horses and riders if your dog gets loose. Owners of dogs found to be off the lead will incur a penalty fine (donated to the charity of our choice) and you may be asked to leave the site. Please ensure you
clean up after your dogs and place waste in relevant bins.ode, but do bear in mind that the event will run come rain or shine so remember to bring a rain coat, wellies and sun cream! The event site is spread over a large area, and the terrain is uneven in places so please ensure that you wear suitable footwear especially if you plan to walk to Cross Country Course and browse the shopping.
- Woodbury Park – www.woodburypark.co.uk
- Ladram Bay Holiday Park – www.ladrambay.co.uk
- The Barn and Pinn Cottage – www.thebarnandpinncottage.co.uk
- Harbour Hotel, Sidmouth – www.harbourhotels.co.uk
- The Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth – www.victoriahotel.co.uk
Yes, all carers who are accompanying a disabled visitor will get free entry into the event. All disabled visitors will need to purchase an admission ticket and bring proof of disability on entry. If the carer is not arriving in the same vehicle as the disabled visitor, they will need to purchase an admission ticket. PLEASE NOTE – there will be no tickets available on the Disabled Gate for purchase on the day, so please ensure you have bought in advance
Event sponsors
