Once again, Cornbury House Horse Trials is privileged to have received huge numbers of entries for its eventing classes and is very grateful for the support it has been shown by riders and owners alike.

 

However,  we are all very aware that this spring and summer many parts of Britain have endured adverse, hot, dry weather conditions. Mindful of this, and of our experience in 2025 of the challenges involved in the best possible ground conditions for horses during four days of cross-country, the organisers feel it prudent to consolidate the event timetable to three days of cross-country and to reduce the duration of the horse trials by one day.

 

The Oxfordshire event, which was scheduled to take place from 9-13 September, will now conclude on 12 September and will run a slightly reduced number of classes, fewer horses in total and with a revised timetable.

 

Priority must be given to optimising the ground conditions, and minimising the number of different cross-country tracks used on any one day plays a significant role in this, allowing the Cornbury team to concentrate its efforts on each one and optimise preparation of them.

 

Young horses and riders are of central importance to this event, which has proved hugely popular with riders and owners since its inception in 2020. The organisers have therefore devised a plan that allows Cornbury House to accommodate as many of the entries received by the ballot date as possible, with the emphasis on prioritising The Howden Way British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-olds, and The Howden Way Youth classes – the new Advanced class for riders under 25, the Young Rider CCI3*-S and the Junior CCI2*-S.

 

The event will also stage the Arena Racing Company Racehorse to Eventer Challenge and some CCI3*-S sections. The open CCI2*-S class will not run in 2026.

 

Event president and founder David Howden said: “Cornbury House Horse Trials was founded with the core ethos being to provide the best possible conditions for young horses and young riders to perform and progress. Given the months of hot dry weather we’ve had, we don’t think we can provide those going conditions in this environment without making sacrifices and changes to this year’s event timetable.

 

“We’ve looked at every aspect of it and considered all the responsibilities that come into play. Based on the entries we had received, we examined the timetable to work out how we could accommodate as many people as possible and we have developed a plan that allows us to produce the best ground, and to continue to manage that ground effectively during the event.

 

“We know that this will result in disappointment to some riders, owners and spectators, and we are truly sorry for that. However, we think we can produce four days of really exciting sport – three days of cross-country – that is in the best interests of the horses, who are our over-riding consideration.”

Cornbury House Horse Trials (9-13 September) has announced the launch of a new Cornbury Fun 5K Run, taking place on Thursday, 10 September as part of this year’s fundraising activity for the Oxfordshire event’s official charity, the British Eventing Support Trust.
Competitors, owners, running enthusiasts, and supporters, plus well-behaved dogs, are all invited to kick-start the week with an informal Fun 5K Run & Walk through the spectacular parkland surrounding Cornbury House.
Whether participants choose to run, walk or simply enjoy the surroundings with friends, every entry will help raise valuable funds for the British Eventing Support Trust and its work supporting British Eventing competing members following injury, accidents and mental health challenges.
Following the run, participants can join the official Cornbury Welcome Party at the onsite Wychwood Inn, featuring a hog roast and welcome drinks generously supported by Hawkstone and Maison Mirabeau.
Founded in 2021, the British Eventing Support Trust provides support to British Eventing competing members going through difficult times, helping riders return to what they love – riding and being around horses. The charity also supports research, development and initiatives designed to improve rider safety and welfare.
Cornbury House Horse Trials has supported the British Eventing Support Trust for the past two years, raising £17,000 in 2024 and £27,000 in 2025 through a range of fundraising activities across the week.
Support will continue throughout the 2026 event, including the return of the popular silent auction and the “best” buggy service, operated by volunteers and transporting spectators between the main event site and the dressage arenas in front of Cornbury House with an opportunity for visitors to donate to the charity on their journey or when purchasing their event tickets.
Jane Hunter-Walsh, General Manager of the British Eventing Support Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to be the official charity of Cornbury House Horse Trials for a third consecutive year with a growing number of ways through which individuals can support the charity over the five days.
“The new Cornbury Fun Run is a great addition for this year. It gives competitors, supporters and friends the chance to enjoy Cornbury’s beautiful parkland together, while raising funds that enable us to continue supporting event riders when they need us most.”
How to Enter The Cornbury Fun 5K – Thursday 10 September 2026
  • Charity Fun Run & Walk (only) – £10
  • Charity Fun Run and Welcome Party package – £25
  • Fun Run entry
  • Access to the Welcome Party at the Wychwood Inn
  • Welcome drink courtesy of Hawkstone and Maison Mirabeau or soft drink
  • Hog roast with salad and vegetarian option
Whether you come to run, walk, socialise – or all three – the Cornbury Fun 5K offers a new way to celebrate the start of Cornbury House Horse Trials while supporting an important cause.
To enter the Cornbury Fun Run and Welcome Party, and for further information,  click here
ENDS

Entries for all the eventing classes at Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026 (9-13 September) are now open.

The seventh running of the Oxfordshire event, which was founded by event president David Howden in 2020, will stage the following classes:

  • A NEW British Eventing Advanced class for under-25 riders, which will be restricted to 25 competitors.

  • The Arena Racing Company (ARC) Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup, which has a total prize-fund of £50,000

  • The British Eventing National Young Horse Championships for five, six- and seven-year-olds, supported by The Howden Way

  • Pragnell-sponsored CCI3*-S sections

  • Premier Equine-sponsored CCI2*-S sections

  • The Howden Way Youth classes at CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S level.

Ballot date for all classes will be 18 August at 12 noon. Entries to be made via the British Eventing website. ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup entries must demonstrate proof of eligibility.

New Advanced course-designer Andrew Heffernan, who works in conjunction with Cornbury’s long-standing course-designer David Evans, has introduced exciting new changes to the cross-country tracks for 2026, including relocating the start and finish area and using different parts of Cornbury Park and the surrounding Wychwood Forest.

Alongside top-class sport, Cornbury offers so much to its visitors:

  • NEW hospitality in the shape of the Great Cornbury BBQ, which is available on Sunday, 13 September at £45 per head in the spectacular hospitality marquee overlooking the main arena.

  • Browsing the hand-picked, curated selection of independent retailers that comprise the Cornbury Village

  • Sampling exceptional, locally sourced food and drink at our “From the Farm” initiative, which will bring together some of the region’s finest producers, including Cornbury Farm, Bruern Farm, Honeydale Farm and Diddly Squat

  • NEW Artisan Food and Drink Tent, featuring local producers

  • NEW Cornbury Chat Stage, featuring local personalities and equestrian heroes on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September

  • NEW Diddly Dog Show supported by Diddly Squat Farm on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September, with a variety of classes to enter

  • Entertainment every night after the sport finishes in the Wychwood Inn on-site

  • Explore the rest of the site with the return of Variety Wood, along with the Pol Roger Lodge up at the Pragnell Water Feature on the cross-country course.

David Howden said: “I can’t wait for this year’s event – we’ve made considerable changes to the site and the cross-country courses, which will give it all an exciting new look and feel. The new Advanced under-25 class will perform their dressage in a brand-new arena on the lawn of Cornbury House, which will look spectacular and give riders a real taste of the championship atmosphere we will be creating at next year’s FEI Eventing World Championship for Under 25s that we are hosting here at Cornbury.”

 Visit www.cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk for more information and to buy tickets.

Cornbury House Horse Trials’ supported charity for 2026 is the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST), and donations can be made at the point of ticket purchase.

Cross-country, showjumping and some highlights of the dressage will be shown on ClipMyHorse.tv.

ENDS

All the action from Cornbury House Horse Trials (9-13 September) will be available to watch on highly regarded equestrian specialist broadcast platform ClipMyHorse.tv for the first time.
Expert commentary will be provided by John Kyle and Lucy Jackson, with a variety of rider guests joining them to give further analysis of the sport at the Oxfordshire event.
Founded in 2020, Cornbury House Horse Trials hosts the British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-olds, the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup, CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S classes for under-21 riders, open CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S sections – and new for 2026 is a British Eventing Advanced class for under-25s.
Cross-country from all classes throughout the event will be broadcast, along with showjumping in the beautiful main arena. Highlights from the dressage will also be shown on www.clipmyhorse.tv, including the dressage for the new Advanced class for under-25s, which takes place in a brand-new arena on the lawn of Cornbury House.
New Advanced course-designer Andrew Heffernan, who works in conjunction with Cornbury’s long-standing course-designer David Evans, has introduced exciting new changes to the cross-country tracks for 2026, including relocating the start and finish area and using different parts of Cornbury Park and the surrounding Wychwood Forest.
Alongside top-class sport, Cornbury offers so much to its visitors:
 Visit www.cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk for more information and to buy tickets.
Cornbury House Horse Trials’ supported charity for 2026 is the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST), and donations can be made at the point of ticket purchase.

Cornbury House Horse Trials is delighted to announce the inaugural Diddly Dog Show, a brand-new addition to this year’s event, taking place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.

Supported by our friends and neighbours at Diddly Squat Farm, the show will bring plenty of fun, character and countryside charm to Cornbury’s weekend programme, giving visitors the chance to enter their furry friends into a range of classes while supporting a very good cause.

All entry fees from the Diddly Dog Show will be donated to the Ernest Cook Trust, an educational charity that helps connect young people with the countryside through outdoor learning, environmental stewardship and hands-on experiences in nature.

Classes will include Best Pub DogBest Tractor/Horsebox CompanionBest Young Handler (12 and under), and Best Yard Dog  and a Best in Show each day with the judges, full class schedule and entry information to be revealed in due course.

The new dog show forms part of Cornbury’s growing weekend offering, which combines world-class eventing with family entertainment, boutique shopping, local food and drink, and premium hospitality, all set against the stunning backdrop of Cornbury Park.

David Howden, Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials said: “We are hugely excited to introduce the Diddly Dog Show to Cornbury this year. Dogs are such an important part of countryside life, and this felt like a brilliant way to add something fun and inclusive to the weekend, while also raising money for the Ernest Cook Trust. We are very grateful to Diddly Squat Farm for their support and look forward to welcoming plenty of four-legged competitors in September.”

Diddly Squat Farm’s, Lisa Clarkson added: “The Diddly Dog Show is exactly the sort of fun countryside event we’re delighted to be part of. Dogs are at the heart of life on the farm here, so it seemed the perfect opportunity to celebrate them while helping to raise money for a fantastic cause. We can’t wait to see all the characters—both two-legged and four-legged—at Cornbury in September.”

The Diddly Dog Show will take place from 2pm to 5pm on both Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September during Cornbury House Horse Trials. Interested parties can register their interest below with full details on how to enter, class schedule and timings to be announced in due course. Please note, you will require a valid entrance ticket to Cornbury House Horse Trials to be able to enter.

Register for the Diddly Dog Show here

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