On the lookout for a horse trials to attend this yr? Now we have the dates of all the key UK horse trials in 2026, so look no additional.
I’ve been reporting on main equestrian occasions within the UK and overseas for greater than 20 years, so I’ve drawn on my expertise to place collectively this useful information that will help you navigate the 2026 eventing calendar. Every horse trials provides one thing a bit completely different – each to riders and spectators – so right here’s all of the important data on which horse trials are close to you and why you may need to go to them.
Main UK horse trials to go to in 2026
There are many high names to be noticed at Thoresby every April. Credit score: Peter Nixon
Thoresby Park Worldwide Eventing Spring Carnival
Date: 3–5 AprilLocation: NottinghamshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: the primary worldwide fixture of the yr in Britain and an opportunity to see quite a few five-star and championship horses in motion. Count on to identify loads of stars being given a prep run for the key spring three-day occasions at Badminton Horse Trials and Kentucky Three-Day Occasion within the CCI4*-S, plus there are decrease degree worldwide lessons at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S, in addition to an under-25 superior prize, so up-and-coming horses and riders are additionally on show.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: The Nice Thoresby Easter Egg Hunt. For £35, households can choose up a household bundle ticket for Sunday 5 April together with admission for 2 adults, a automobile parking ticket and two Easter Egg Hunt tickets for youngsters. The purpose is for households to have a good time across the occasion, see all the pieces that’s on provide and let the small folks run off the Easter pleasure!Extra info: thoresby-horse.co.uk
Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market Horse Trials
Date: 17-19 AprilLocation: NorfolkWhy it’s vital and value attending: the second main pre-Badminton and Kentucky spring fixture, after Thoresby – some riders will choose one or the opposite and a few will run at each, relying on particular person choice. There’s a sturdy vary of supporting lessons, too.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: try the terrier racing, the tradestands and the falconry.Extra info: musketeer.co.uk
Badminton Horse Trials attracts round 200,000 spectators annually. Credit score: Nico Morgan
Mars Badminton Horse Trials
Date: 5-10 MayLocation: GloucestershireWhy it’s vital and value attending: that is the large one! An important spring horse trials in Britain, at five-star degree. It’s an occasion everybody needs to win and the entry record shall be full of the largest names within the sport. In order for you inspiration at a decrease degree, try the Lemieux Grassroots Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday. Feeling impressed? Get your Badminton tickets now.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: when you’re there early on Saturday, take a wander over the grass between The Lake and Badminton Home and see high horses having fun with a calming chew of grass with their grooms earlier than all of the motion begins. After which benefit from the Shetland Pony Grand Nationwide in the principle enviornment earlier than cross-country will get going.Extra info: badminton-horse.co.uk
Belsay Horse Trials, supported by Barbour
Occasion date: 15-17 MayLocation: NorthumberlandWhy it’s vital and value attending: this picturesque occasion within the grounds of Belsay Fort stepped as much as four-star degree final yr, changing Chatsworth within the calendar, and can once more host worldwide lessons from CCI* to CCI4*-S, in addition to nationwide lessons. Count on to see horses en path to Bramham and some re-routing after a hiccup at Badminton.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: when you’re bringing kids, try the household enjoyable path, pastime horse enviornment, archery and the enjoyable truthful. Supporting lessons embody the favored inter-hunt relay.Extra info: belsayhorsetrials.co.uk
Bicton Horse Trials
Occasion date: 27-31 MayLocation: DevonWhy it’s vital and value attending: the showcase CCI4*-S at Bicton Horse Trials contains the one British leg of the FEI Nations Cup in eventing. A workforce competitors at all times provides an additional frisson to an occasion – watch the house aspect battle it out with the abroad challengers. The supporting lessons embody sections for ponies, juniors and younger riders, with the younger rider class internet hosting the nationwide championship on the degree.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: head to the seashore. Budleigh Salterton seashore is lower than 10 minutes drive away, so mix a go to to the horse trials with some bucket and spade time or fish and chips on the sand.Extra info: bictonhorse.com
Bramham sees numerous big-name combos who’re heading for five-stars. Credit score: Peter Nixon
Bramham Horse Trials
Occasion date: 11-14 JuneLocation: YorkshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: the British spring CCI4*-L – that’s, the extent slightly below five-star – so that is massive testing floor for the horses who may step as much as Burghley Horse Trials within the autumn or Badminton subsequent yr. The CCI4*-S is probably going for use by varied nations as an vital trial earlier than the World Championships in Aachen and the under-25 prize on this class is prestigious, too.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: on Saturday and Sunday, Unbelievable Faces shall be offering face portray utilizing an eco-friendly glitter bar, henna tattoos and hair braiding. They will even be working a workshop with equine-based actions, to incorporate sand artwork, craft stations and rosette making.Extra info: bramham-horse.co.uk
Aston-le-Partitions Horse Trials, sponsored by Challenge Pony
Occasion date: 10-12 JulyLocation: NorthamptonshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: will most likely present a remaining run for quite a lot of World Championship horses, not least as a result of the going is at all times immaculately ready right here and the very fact the showjumping runs on a floor is an efficient mimic for championship situations.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: stand on the mound for an excellent view of the cross-country course – and see when you can spot efficiency managers up there maintaining a tally of their medal hopefuls.Extra info: astonlewalls.web
NAF 5 Star Hartpury Horse Trials
Occasion date: 13-16 AugustLocation: GloucestershireWhy it’s vital and value attending: Hartpury Horse Trials hosts the British Eventing nationwide championships at open, intermediate and novice degree, so it’s an amazing alternative to see high combos within the open, whereas the winners of the intermediate and novice championships are ones to earmark as stars of the longer term. As a result of it’s a championship, all of the riders shall be making an attempt further laborious to win – fairly than having a pleasant quiet education spherical – so the competitors is fierce. There’s a novice restricted championship, the Corinthian Cup, and a championship for retrained racehorses, too.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: combine city and nation with a go to to Gloucester, simply quarter-hour drive away. Try the cathedral, constructed within the 1100s, or the historic docks or do some procuring.Extra info: hartpury.ac.uk
Scone Palace Horse Trials
Occasion date: 26-30 AugustLocation: Perthshire, ScotlandWhy it’s vital and value attending: this would be the second working of Scone on this spot within the eventing calendar, after a profitable inaugural occasion final yr after the positioning took over the date beforehand held by the favored Blair Fort Horse Trials. Scone offers a good looking backdrop for Scotland’s premier horse trials, with the added bonus of everlasting services on the racecourse. There are lessons from grassroots degree as much as four-star, with some stars of the game anticipated. Right here’s extra details about Scone Palace Horse Trials tickets.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: check out Willowgate’s pop-up journey zone – a selection of 4 high-energy, freed from cost actions with skilled instructors to information you. There’s axe throwing, archery, laser clay capturing and mini Highland video games on provide.Extra info: sconehorsetrials.com
The cross-country at Burghley is understood to be one of many hardest checks of the game. Credit score: Peter Nixon
Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Occasion date: 3-6 SeptemberLocation: LincolnshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: Britain has simply two five-star horse trials – the top of the game – annually and Burghley is the autumn basic. The perfect horses and riders in Britain, in addition to guests from abroad, shall be battling it out for the title and the cross-country course, designed by famend US designer Derek di Grazia, is understood for being the hardest take a look at in eventing.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: take a stroll up Winners’ Avenue and take a look at all of the plaques for former victors – it’s a veritable who’s who of eventing and a beautiful strategy to study concerning the historical past of the game. On the high, you’ll be positive to gasp on the measurement of the massive ditch in entrance of the Cottesmore Leap.Extra info: burghley-horse.co.uk
Cornbury Home Horse Trials
Occasion date: 10-13 SeptemberLocation: OxfordshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: Cornbury hosts the nationwide five-, six- and seven-year-old championships, in addition to junior and younger rider sections, so you possibly can spot future stars each equine and human right here. And the Racehorse to Eventer Problem Cup has an enormous £50,000 prize fund, so it ought to entice some high names who shall be going all out to take that winners’ cheque. One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: go to the champagne bar and hospitality marquee on the principal water advanced, with its gorgeous views over Cornbury Home and the Wychwood Forest.Extra info: cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk
Agria Blenheim Horse Trials
Occasion date: 17-20 SeptemberLocation: OxfordshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: having hosted the European Championships final yr, Blenheim Horse Trials returns to its typical schedule for 2026, with the CCI4*-L offering an amazing stepping stone in direction of five-star and the nation’s hottest younger horses within the CCI4*-S.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: take a look at Blenheim Palace itself, the birthplace and ancestral house of Sir Winston Churchill. It’s greater than 300 years outdated, is the one non-royal nation home in England to carry the title of palace and in 1987 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website.Extra info: bpiht.co.uk
Childéric Saddles Little Downham Horse Trials
Occasion date: 7 OctoberLocation: CambridgeshireWhy it’s vital and value attending: the ultimate British four-star of the season, giving a possibility for a prep run for horses who’re off to Pau Horse Trials for the final European five-star of 2026. There’s an under-25 part within the superior, so youthful riders who’ve had an excellent yr may take this opportunity to step up earlier than the winter break.One thing you have to do whilst you’re there: this fixture occurs on a Wednesday – so don’t neglect to name your boss and inform them you’re too sick to return to work…Extra info: elyeventing.co.uk
If you wish to discover extra horse trials to go to in 2026, take a look on the full eventing calendar on the British Eventing web site.
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Be a part of the crowds to observe the motion at one of many greatest occasions of the yr.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo win Badminton Horse Trials.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Getty Pictures
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
H&H journal editor and eventing editor
Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L degree, and has labored within the trade on a high occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest degree, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.
