The arrival of a new year brings with it a renewed sense of opportunity, and as the door closes on 2024 and we look ahead to 2025, there is a lot to be excited about. Reflecting on the past 12 months here at Bicton Arena, it will be remembered by the whole team as a period full of exceptional sporting action, a vibrant sense of community and an enduring passion for the equestrian world. As we move forward into 2025, we are poised to build on this momentum, facilitating many more unforgettable moments shared between horse and rider.
One of the standout highlights of this year will undoubtedly be the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ taking place at our International Horse Trials running from 22 – 25 May. Hosting a prestigious event like this is an enormous privilege and a testament to the whole team’s growing reputation on the international stage. The Nations Cup will see elite horse and rider combinations from across the continent competing in a showcase of skill, teamwork and determination. For spectators, this event will offer a unique opportunity to come and cheer on the national team as they represent Great Britain on home soil.
But that’s just the beginning! Our 2025 calendar is brimming with events that cater to all levels and disciplines, there really is something for everyone here at Bicton Arena. Opportunities such as our unaffiliated series and training fixtures remain at the heart of what we do, nurturing talent and fostering the next generation of riders.
Here are some key dates for your 2025 diaries:
NSEA National & County Showjumping (February 9)
Including Hickstead Elite and The New Windsor Challenge Qualifiers.
May International Horse Trials featuring the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ (May 22-25)
This event will showcase the very pinnacle of eventing. Attracting an array of international competitors, this fixture will also offer spectators the chance to get behind their national teams as the battle for a podium finish ensues.
British Showjumping Stay Away Show (June 13 – 15)
Providing the first opportunity in 2025 to jump on the hallowed turf of the TopSpec Main Arena with classes from 1.20m – 1.40m. Incorporating the British Novice Second Round on the all-weather surface in Western Counties Arena, along with National Team Jumping and fun evening classes with something for everyone.
British Showjumping Mid-Summer Second Round Show (July 3-6)
This will run as a one-week summer tour in 2025, with competitors from across the country chasing those golden Horse of the Year Show tickets in the Senior Newcomers & Senior Foxhunter classes. The Area Trial and 1.40m Grand Prix will also feature at this popular show, along with 4yr old, 5yr old & 6yr old classes for Young Horses providing them with valuable experience.
British Dressage Petplan Area Festival 2025 (July 18-20)
A crucial grassroots championship fixture for Southwest dressage enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to have a taste of the big time at a championship-feel event. This season marks the 25th year of Petplan’s partnership with British Dressage in delivering the Petplan Area Festivals, so it is set to be even more special to mark this momentous anniversary.
Throughout the summer holidays, Bicton Arena will play host to an array of residential camps, many of which enable local Pony Clubs to gain access to the wonderful facilities that we have here. August is a busy month with both the British Eventing Grassroots Regional Championships and the Pony Club Mini & Regional Championships. The latter sees over 500 young rider combinations competing in 3 different disciplines over the course of 4 days.
British Dressage Regional Championships (August 8 – 10)
This highly anticipated championship provides the gateway to the British Dressage National Championships with combinations from the Southwest and further afield lining up to contest Silver and Gold qualification classes from Prelim to Intermediate I.
British Showjumping Stay Away Show (August 29 – 31)
With classes ranging from 80cm – 1.40m there will be something for all levels. This show incorporates the Horse of The Year Show Grade C Qualifier.
October International Horse Trials (October 23-26)
The ultimate conclusion to the British Eventing season. We are pleased to share that our renowned long format BE90 and BE100 classes will be returning for 2025 and that we will also be piloting a new long format BE80 section; giving riders of this level a new aim for the end of the season.
As we gear up for the busy year ahead, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports us here at Bicton Arena: our sponsors, volunteers, competitors, spectators and of course, our hardworking team! It is your passion and dedication that makes this place so special. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with achievements, memories, and the shared love of horses that unites us all.
Helen West
Co-Director of Bicton Arena
The picturesque Bicton Arena in Budleigh Salterton, Devon hosted five days of eventing competition from 23 – 27 October 2024. Over 250 competitors participated in the season’s concluding event which showed off the stunning Grade One Listed parkland and its autumnal colours in spectacular form.
Chloe Livesey riding Hazel Livesey’s 16.3hh 16-year-old gelding Sportsfield Lord Livesey were victorious in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-S. Chloe’s solid dressage score and clear showjumping and cross country phases meant the pair finished in first position on 38.5. Chloe commented, “We came here to finish the season off with him and wasn’t expecting to take home the win. I am really proud of him.”
Ellie Fredericks won the competitive Mitchell & Webber CCI2*-L on the 6-year-old dark bay mare Upper Class Brit who is owned by Ellie’s mother, five-star eventing legend Lucinda Fredericks. The pair completed with no faults to add to their dressage score of 33. “Upper Class Brit is a homebred out of my Mum’s five-star horse, Headley Britannia. We’ve produced her since a 4-year-old and it’s so special for my Mum to have a granddaughter of her famous mare and her daughter take the win,” said Ellie.
Ireland’s Susie Berry riding Mrs Amanda Varley’s Wild Atlantic Way took the top spot in the Succeed Equine CCI2*-S. A strong dressage score set the pair up with fault free showjumping and cross country phases, they were one of only three combinations to make the cross country time, completing on a score of 29.2. Susie added, “It’s so nice to finish the season on a high and I was over the moon with Wild Atlantic Way. He was super all week; he did a lovely test. He is quite established at this level, so it was great to end the season with a confident run.”
Finishing on her dressage score of 30.3, local rider Cheryl Beer won the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section D riding her own 10-year-old gelding Langaller Alpha Bravo. Cheryl commented on her win, “It is an absolute dream, he was a star! It’s been a challenging few days having several things go wrong including forgetting my numnah and girth and a few mistakes on the long format phases – but I set off on the cross-country course and we had a brilliant ride. It was a lovely course and the going couldn’t have been any better.”
Local rider Keira Parsons and her 17-year-old gelding Saratoga Candyman won the Redpost Equestrian BE90 Section E also completing on her dressage score of 30.5. “It’s been amazing but quite nerve-wracking throughout. I’ve never competed in the long format class before; it was an amazing experience and I’m so excited to have qualified for the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships at Badminton next May,” said Keira.
The Random Strangers team consisting of BE90 Section E winner Keira Parsons with Saratoga Candyman plus Charlotte Cutler riding Holy Street and Ella Matravers with Ballymitty Mac won the team event, with a total score of 98.3.
Axminster based Jane Rogers and her own 17-year-old Corrieview Merlin Magic gave a faultless performance in the Redpost Equestrian BE100 class winning on her dressage score of 29.1. Jane said, “I’m chuffed to bits with Magic, he was a superstar from start to finish. The last 3 Day Event I won was at Aldon and I’ve been trying to win another one ever since!”
Finishing on her dressage score of 30.3, Josie Dix, who is based near Usk with Kat Reybould of Venture Sporthorses, won the Redpost Equestrian BE100 Open riding Mrs Gillian Bulmer’s Rusticoats. Josie commented on her win, “Rusti came to us with an injury for rehab so he could use our water treadmill. Following his recovery, Gillian let me take on the ride six months ago and he hasn’t been out of the top 10 all season. He is a legend!”
In the team event, Army + 1: Captain Holly Day, L/Bdr Ellie Mitchell, Lieutenant Brian Leung and Alison Stewart took the top spot with a total score of 114.7.
Bicton Arena’s Co-Director, Helen West provided a summary of the venue’s concluding horse trials of the year, “What an incredible week we have had here at Bicton. Despite the relentless amount of rain we have had over the past month, we are truly blessed to have had such spectacular weather for five days which has really made this event so special for all involved. Congratulations to all our winners and competitors and a huge thank you to everyone who made it happen, our volunteers, the Bicton event team and our devoted sponsors.”
Thanks also goes to Bicton College for use of the parkland for our long format roads and tracks and to Cheval Safety, Darts Farm, Devoucoux, Equine Products, Protexin, Tack Room Distillery and Wyvern Equestrian who provided special prizes to our various winners.
Full results can be found here: www.eventingscores.co.uk
The British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2025 is to be hosted at Bicton, Devon (GBR) 22 – 25 May.
Helen West, Co-Director at Bicton comments, “We are thrilled to have been awarded the GBR leg of this annual team competition. The COVID pandemic provided an opportunity for Bicton to showcase just what it can achieve when we hosted the one-off CCI5* Burghley replacement. 2023 saw the inaugural running of the CCI4*-S in May, which has now become an established “go to” event for many riders. It therefore seems fitting for the GBR leg of this prestigious FEI series to be awarded to Bicton and we look forward to putting on a top-class competition for as many nations as possible.”
The British leg was formerly hosted at Chatsworth International Horse Trials, who have recently taken the decision to sit out the 2025 season. The FEI Nations Cup™ series is equestrian sport’s oldest and most prestigious team challenge, with national teams from around the globe competing for one of the most coveted prizes in this Olympic discipline.
The series aims to unite nations and foster lifelong enthusiasm for the world of horses. Its global format means that more countries can host qualifiers at world-class venues and aim to win the FEI Nations Cup™ title by acquiring qualifying points according to their placings.
FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2025 Calendar
Montelibretti (ITA): 13 – 16 March
Bicton (GBR): 22 – 25 May
Strzegom (POL): 26 – 29 June
Haras de Jardy (FRA): 10 – 13 July
Avenches (SUI): 22 – 27 July
Arville (BEL): 14 – 17 August
Boekelo (NED): 9 – 12 October
Tickets will be on sale at the beginning of 2025 to come and watch this prestigious series at Bicton’s May International Horse Trials next Spring.
Top riders from across the country will soon be arriving at the Grade 1 listed estate in Budleigh Salterton, as Bicton Arena hosts its second prestigious International Horse Trials of the year from 23rd to 27th October 2024. With a variety of classes ranging from the popular BE90 and BE100 3-Day Events, sponsored by Redpost Equestrian, right through to the CCI3*-S, this will be one of the final British Eventing competitions of the 2024 season.
Redpost Equestrian BE90 & BE100 3-Day Events
Redpost Equestrian, a renowned equestrian, pet and country living retailer, is proud to sponsor the BE90 and BE100 3-Day Events. These traditional long-format competitions provide riders with a chance to compete as they would at an international event, including completing the cross-country phase as the final challenge. Riders will also take on the Steeplechase and the Road and Tracks sections, as well as a trot-up, offering a unique and exciting opportunity for grassroots competitors. These events remain a firm favourite for many amateur riders looking to finish their season on a high whilst providing direct qualification to the Voltaire Design BE90 and BE100 Championships at Badminton.
Ben Tuff, Managing Director of Redpost Equestrian said, “We are long term supporters of Bicton Arena and are proud to sponsor the British Eventing 90cm and 100cm Three Day Event at the October International Horse Trials for the second year. Supporting all levels of competitions is important as each supports the others to help equestrianism thrive.”
Goodies on offer for competitors
As part of Redpost’s sponsorship they not only supply competitors with buckets containing a selection from trusted brands such as Hilton Herbs, Horslyx, Nettex Hoof Spray and Plaiting Spray, Dublin Cosy socks, Euro-Star socks and a £20 Redpost voucher to use instore, online or at the Redpost stand during the competition. Their involvement ensures additional services for competitors, including an exclusive click-and-collect service at their on-site stand. This service allows riders to order any essential equipment they may have forgotten, with speedy delivery straight to the event. Keep a look out on Redpost’s social media channels for some videos from British Eventing Howden Way Coach, Cameron Beer, who will be sharing valuable eventing tips based on his experience competing up to 3* and coaching grassroots riders. Don’t miss the chance to enter Redpost’s competition and be in with a chance of winning some Woof Wear prizes... Click here to enter!
As one of Bicton Arena’s long-standing partners, Redpost Equestrian is thrilled to support this exciting weekend of competition, bringing together passionate riders, competitors and spectators alike. With free entry for BE members and tickets available on the gate for non-members, this is an event not to be missed.
Don’t miss out
We recently spoke to 13-year-old, Tichy Sanders who won last year’s Redpost Equestrian BE90 class says, “I’m hoping to be competing in the BE100 this year on the same horse I won on last year, Sparhanger Velvet. Bicton is an amazing venue, it’s sort of home ground for me being so local; the team are always so friendly and welcoming and this event is so unique I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about entering! The long format was amazing last year, my mare loves going fast so she enjoyed the steeplechase phase and I can’t wait to see what Bicton have built for this year!”
We have been busily preparing the footing, fences and roads and tracks and look forward to welcoming all competitors to Bicton this Autumn.
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The Summer Regional Dressage at Bicton Arena, held from August 9-11, delivered by all accounts a show to remember. British success at the 2024 Paris Olympics must have inspired riders, horses and ponies a like to bring their a-game to the occasion, showcasing their passion for dressage across all three days of competition making it another dressage spectacle at Bicton.
(Pictured above: Anna Johannson and Kapellmeister)
The TopSpec Summer Regional Championship Medium 75 2002 – W class, judged by Ms Helen Clark (B), Mrs Fiona Louise Wilson (C), Mrs Frances Turner (M) was won by Anna Johannson and her horse, Kapellmeister who took the class by storm with a score of 71.71% .
Anna, daughter of Western Counties Equine Hospital’s, clinical director Chris Johannson who kindly sponsors the Western Counties arena at Bicton, has competed on Kapellmeister, Numpty as he is known to his friends at home, since 2022. “Numpty is so good and always well behaved,” Anna told us. “This is the third time we have competed together at regional level and him pulling it out the bag just made it the perfect day on the perfect horse!” Anna then went on to tell us that she was pleased with her test, “which is rare for me” and was glad the judges agreed! Owner / breeder, Christine Kirk also made it to the event to watch the pair compete and was very pleased to see the Devonshire born and bred Kapellmeister take the top spot.
(Pictured above: Tyler Bradshaw and For J’adore)
Tyler Bradshaw and For J’adore claimed victory in the Center Line Summer Regional Championship Preliminary 17A (2017 – W) with a score of 72.13%. They narrowly edged out Jennifer Charleston and Roulette Magic, who scored 71.84%. The class, judged by Mrs. Islay Auty (B), Mrs. Suzanne Petty (C), and Mrs. Susan Cumine (H), featured 10 combinations.
After the class, Tyler shared, “It was great to win! For J’adore isn’t the easiest of mares – she’s very opinionated and has a lot of sass, but we understand each other. We vibe, and it works!” Following their previous successes at Addington Manor and the Chard Winter Championships, For J’adore’s owner, Kelsey Collins, decided to gift ownership to Tyler. “I love her,” Tyler added, “She’s been misunderstood in the past, but with more training and a stronger bond, I’m hopeful we can progress through the levels and achieve great success together.”
For the full results, please click here.
Join us for Bicton’s next British Dressage show on Friday 6 September – entries are open and can be placed via My Riding Life.
As anticipated the atmosphere was buzzing and the horses and ponies were soaking up the ambience at the Petplan Summer Area Festival at Bicton Arena 19-21 July. We had an amazing three days of competition with such a range of horses and ponies on show all loving their dressage in the mixed weather with rain and sunshine.
“Congratulations to all the competitors who have qualified to go to the Petplan Summer Championship at Arena UK in October,” said Andrew Fell, Co-Director at Bicton Arena. “The Petplans, as we fondly know them, bring their own very special mood and tone to Bicton and we always thoroughly enjoy the event. It’s a real privilege to see all the combinations who have worked so hard to get one of these Area Festivals – a real pinnacle of competition for so many amateur riders.”
The Preliminary Bronze class was won by 12-year-old Neve Moran with her pony Clareville Golden Knight – also known as Cedrick. From South Devon, Neve has only owned Cedrick for five months and this Area Festival was her first time ever at Bicton – she absolutely loved it. The eight-year-old pony was given to Neve as the previous owners found he didn’t like travelling but with family support and time along with a memory foam mattress topper Cedrick is now travelling happily and enjoying going to ‘parties’. Neve’s step mum Emily Farleigh said, “She is already a true horsewoman, bathing and plaiting her pony, cleaning her tack and getting Cedrick ready all by herself she is quite something.”
Alex Farleigh, who happens to also be Neve Moran’s step Grandma also had a couple of great results with a win in the Inter I Silver class and a second in the PSG Silver. Her horse 50 Shades of Bay, known as Socks at home has been with Alex since he was five years old, now 16 he is a much-loved member of the family. It certainly looks like the whole family will be travelling up to Arena UK for the Petplan Area Festival Championships in October – we wish them all well.
Full results from the show can be found here.
For the second year running the rain played its part in the 2024 Summer Showjumping Tour. It was really well supported with competitors travelling from all over the country to be at Bicton for nine days of fantastic showjumping despite that rain!
Oliver Tuff, who won the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet HOYS Grade C Qualifier with seven-year-old mare Miss Money Penny is one of our local competitors from Redpost Equestrian a long-term sponsor and great supporter of Bicton Arena. Oliver had great things to say about Miss Money Penny, “She is very consistent and has jumped a lot of clear rounds through the age classes. We’ll give her a break before HOYS and just do a couple of indoor classes together ready.
“I always enjoy the Summer Tour at Bicton – despite the weather! Andrew and Helen really do a good job keeping the going good,” he added.
We also spoke to Angie Thompson who had a fairly long three-and-a-half-hour journey from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire had an amazingly busy show with 16 horses from her yard at the show. “We had a very busy time helping everyone out as well as jumping eight of my own. We had some great wins at 1.15m and 1.30m but coming in first place in the Bicton Arena 1.45m Grand Prix with Sanavisto was the icing on the cake!” said Angie.
Also commenting on the weather conditions Angie had high praise for the team at Bicton, “When it rains at Bicton it really rains it was torrential at times. The team worked so hard to move jumps and look after the ground – working tirelessly in quite dire conditions. We moved on to the surfaces after the rain had been really bad for a few days then one nice day of sun and a lovely breeze and we were back on the wonderful old turf again. We just love Bicton you can bring lots of horses of all ages and give them experience as well as jumping the bigger tracks on our best ones, our clients enjoy it and the prizes are always really worth winning. Thank you!”
Bicton Arena Co-Director, Andrew Fell said,
“I feel as if wherever I am the rain follows me at the moment – once again the team and all the volunteers pulled together and made it work moving jumps, changing arenas, then moving jumps back again – all in a day’s work! Thanks to all our competitors, grooms, clients and spectators for making it a super Summer Show Jumping Tour here at Bicton despite the weather.”
Come rain or shine our team worked hard to pull off another other fantastic few weeks of competition. I am always grateful to my team, both our core staff and our army of volunteers who make it happen, but this month has been challenging and I am proud of what we have achieved.”
Following the sad news recently announced that Port Eliot will no longer be hosting a British Eventing fixture, we are pleased to confirm that Bicton Arena will now host the South West Regional Grassroots Championship on 3 – 4 August 2024 and in 2025. This follows an expression of interest for a replacement venue which British Eventing put out last month, and a final decision was made by the BE Fixtures Committee.
Helen West, Bicton Arena’s Co-Director commented, “We really feel for our friends at Port Eliot but will do our absolute best to put on a much-needed grassroots fixture in the South West for BE members. We are excited to host the Regional Championship competition and give as many competitors the opportunity to ride around the stunning parkland here at Bicton.”
Event Organiser at Port Eliot, Tamsyn Hutchins added, “Thank you to all the members, Port Eliot Estate and Lady Bianca who have supported us for the last decade. It is another blow for the South West calendar, but I am thrilled that Bicton is stepping in to provide an alternative option for members in our region.”
Entries will open shortly, so do keep an eye on the British Eventing website for more information.
BICTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS
SUNDAY 26 MAY 2024 6.00PM
It is with deepest regret that we announce that Georgie Campbell (GBR) suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon, England on Sunday 26 May 2024. Medical professionals attended immediately following her fall at fence 5b however, unfortunately, she could not be saved.
The horse, Global Quest, was assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable and is uninjured.
To respect the family’s privacy at this extremely difficult and sad time, no further details will be shared.
Everyone enjoyed the sunny start to the day in Devon for the jumping phases at Bicton International Horse Trials. Three classes took to the cross country course while the showjumping got underway in the main arena for the TopSpec CCI4*-S.
The finest of margins separate first and second place in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L with Gemma Stevens picking up 0.4 time penalties meaning that as Friday’s overnight leader, she slips down to second place. Yasmin Ingham and Gypsie Du Loir take the lead to head into the final day of competition tomorrow for the showjumping. This 8-year-old mare is owned by The Sue Davies Fund, so named after the sad passing of part-owner of several of Yas’ horses, Sue Davies in 2023. Janette Chinn, Sue’s daughter, also part owns the mare who started her eventing career with the Cheshire based former World Champion in 2022. Yas is no stranger to success with a ‘Du Loir’ horse from breeder Pierre Gouyé, her World Championship horse being Banzai Du Loir.
Next to go cross country around the Helen West designed course were the Western Counties Equine Hospital CCI3*YR-L competitors. Leader after Thursday’s dressage, Anna Price and Keep Happy regained their lead from Ivy Fisher and Global Promise who picked up 15 penalties on the course. Hot on Anna’s heels are Joshua Levett and This Ones On You, followed by Isabelle Cook and Mexican Law. Bedfordshire based Anna and 9-year-old Pepsi, as the mare is known at home, stepped up to three-star level earlier this month with a top ten finish at Osberton.
The CCI2*-L class is sponsored by Mitchell & Webber, proud promoters of renewable liquid fuels to replace conventional fossil fuels across the South West, “We are delighted to be supporting Bicton as we have shared values in equestrian sports with social and environmental commitments,” said Robert Weedon from Mitchell & Webber. This class was the last to take on the cross country today, where the top 30 all went clear within the time, the course proving to be a great experience for these younger horses. As a result, the top of the leader board remained unchanged with Tom McEwen and Shannondale Arnold holding onto the lead with 26.5 ahead of Laura Collett on Balancero in second on 26.7 and Ros Canter on Silvesters Finesse in third on 26.8. Tightly bunched together at the top, it will be all to play for tomorrow, with none of the top three able to have even one pole down in order to maintain their position.
Meanwhile, the TopSpec CCI4*-S showjumping phase was in full swing in the Western Counties main arena. The top eight go into the final day of competition on their dressage score, having all gone clear within the time. The top two remain unchanged from yesterday with Laura Collett and London 52 still on track for their campaign for another win having taken the title last year. Laura has partnered Dan, as he is known at home, to success on the biggest of stages including 5* wins at Luhmühlen in 2023, Badminton in 2022 and Pau in 2020, plus a top 10 finish at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
Tomorrow promises to be a final day full of thrilling eventing action as well as a packed schedule of demos, great shopping and fantastic food and drink – join us for some fun, book your tickets here.