BUBBY UPTON AND ENHANCED STAR AT CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

A former racehorse forging a second career in the sport of eventing was the star of the final day of Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026.
Enhanced, ridden by Bubby Upton and owned by his breeders, Phoebe and Jeffrey Hobby of Brightwalton Stud, won the £45,000 first prize in the Arena Racing Company Racehorse To Eventer Challenge Cup, just tipping one showjump to add four faults to his dressage mark of 25.8.
This was the second running of this innovative class, the brainchild of Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud and Cornbury’s founder and president David Howden, which aims to encourage former racehorses to be retrained for eventing – a discipline which is perfectly suited to the thoroughbred attributes of stamina, speed, trainability and athletic ability.
Bubby said: “Enhanced has been amazing all week. He’s a really, really sensitive horse – his sire is New Approach, and his offspring are renowned for you needing to get on the right side of their brains. I’ve had him for two years and we’ve really built an incredible partnership and developed the trust. Cross-country he’s an absolute Ferrari – the feeling of galloping up these Cornbury hills on a racehorse is unbelievable; so effortlessly fast and powerful.
“I’m so grateful to David, Jayne and Arena Racing Company for staging this class – it’s amazing for the racehorses to be able to shine.”
Jeffrey Hobby explained that Enhanced – who is out of a Hurricane Run mare called Complexion – won on the Flat when trained by Hughie Morrison, then was retrained by Phoebe and their son, before going to Bubby with the aim of winning this class at Corbury.
“ It was mad, wasn’t it? To think we could do it. You know, as a British breeder, I think we bring a lot of horses into the world and it’s really important that we create another life for them [after racing]. We take that very seriously. This is a great showcase of what thoroughbreds can do in the right home.”
World number one Tim Price gathered most of the rest of the prizes at Cornbury on Sunday, taking Pragnell CCI3*-S section I with the Pau CCI5* winner Jarillo on a dressage score of 27.8. So successful was Tim in today’s classes that he also was awarded the Oxfordshire event’s Leading Rider award of £2,500 and a magnificent silver trophy from Pragnell.

He said: “Cornbury comes at a good time in the season for the horses and for me, and the ground is prepared beautifully so it gives us the opportunity if we want to to go a bit faster. It’s like a boutique ‘big event’ here and I just love it.”

The USA’s Hallie Coon fought off a tough field to win CCI3*-S section J riding her own Tykillen Tango. A quality dressage performance of 26.7 put her strongly in contention, sitting second behind Emily King and her CCI5* horse Valmy Biats’ score of 24.9. Both showjumped clear, but Hallie was offered an opening when Emily conceded time-penalties Hallie and Tykillen Tango rose to the occasion, jumping a faultless round inside the time finishing on their dressage score.
Hallie said: “The horse really surprised me this weekend. We came here for a nice run, to prepare for the seven-year-old world championships in Le Lion, so to come and win the open class is really special. He gives me all the feelings that you would want from a top horse.”
This was the seventh running of Cornbury House Horse Trials, and David Howden declared it another resounding success.
“It’s been a brilliant week. Looking ahead to hosting the FEI World Championships for U25s next year, we held an Advanced class for under-25s with a new cross-country track, which provided just the right sort of challenge. Reversing the cross-country courses has worked really well; it was wonderful to see a huge crowd here today to watch the final of the Arena Racing Company Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup, the new layout and expanded retail offering worked well and I love seeing so many happy faces round the site.
“We take feedback very seriously, and we always want to keep improving – our ethos is to provide the best possible conditions for horses and riders, and to entertain owners and visitors to the best of our ability.”

TOWNEND PLAYS IT VERY COOLEY AT CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

Oliver Townend, nine times a CCI5* winner, showed that he might have another future superstar on his hands when winning the British Eventing Young Horse Championship for five-year-olds at Cornbury House Horse Trials (9-12 September) with Sarah Robertson’s Very Cooley.
The 84–runner class, supported by The Howden Way, was tightly contested, and Oliver shared a dressage mark of 25.2 with Kitty King (Park All The Hype). The pair stayed level after clear showjumping round, and both produced faultless performances around David Evans’ cross-country track. In the end, Oliver finished two seconds closer to the optimum time than Kitty to secure victory.
Very Cooley is closely related to Oliver’s Kentucky CCI5* champion Cooley Rosalent, and Oliver said: “I’m just hugely relieved for her owner, Sarah Robertson – it’s a big gamble to buy a horse off a video, and luckily we’ve repaid her. I love the horse and I couldn’t be happier with how she’s progressed. She’s very, very professional for her age. She’s just galloped all over that track today, where some of them found it tough and I think her enthusiasm will carry her through. She’s run up the hills with her ears pricked and I couldn’t be happier with her.
“The track couldn’t have been better. At the end of the course you definitely knew whether you had a good horse or not, and that’s what this stage of eventing should be. It’s the perfect end to a long season for a five-year-old, and Sarah and I were honoured to receive our prizes from HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.”
Kitty King said: “Park All The Hype is a lovely young horse. We love coming to Cornbury, and we’ve had a brilliant couple of days with a fantastic result, which just tops it all off.”
She added with a smile: “He was second after dressage, then he showjumped clear and was superb cross-country, so stayed in second the whole way through. We finished on the same score as the winner, so I think we’re equal first!”
Mollie Summerland led from pillar to post to take the British Eventing Young Horse Championship for six-year-olds with her own Don Alfredo. She scored 25.5 with a very smart dressage performance, and followed up with a clear showjumping and a blistering cross-country round inside the time to remain clear of the 90-strong field.
Mollie said: “He’s like a little pocket rocket! I’m used to riding horses which are over 17hh, but he has so much power and it’s just about trying to channel his enthusiasm. He’s really cute – like an overgrown pony.”
Dressage-bred by Dancier with thoroughbred blood on his dam side, Don Alfredo came from friends of Mollie’s in Belgium.
“He’d never jumped under saddle when he came to me and he took a long time to build trust. He was very nervous in the beginning. I spent hours up in the arena just walking him in hand over poles, and now I think we have a really nice partnership. I have to say a special thank you to Alfie Bradstock, where I’m based at Cherry Gardens Farm, because he has been instrumental in my confidence in the showjumping. I wouldn’t naturally go into that phase feeling super confident and Alfie has worked miracles with me this year.
“Cornbury is an incredible event and it’s one that I always try to come to. It was on my bucket list to win a national title, so it’s great to achieve that.”
Possibly the biggest cheer of the day at prize-giving went to 16-year-old Fenella Redvers, who won The Howden Way Youth junior CCI2*-S class riding ALS Russian Rolex. “Rolo”, as the horse is known, is owned by Fenella’s parents, Laura and David Redvers, and Jemima Howden. Jemima is the daughter of Cornbury House Horse Trials’ founder and president David Howden, to whom David Redvers is bloodstock and racing manager.
A delighted Fenella said: “I’ve had Rolo for just a year, and before this season I’d never even done a two-star, so it’s amazing to be able to think about actually winning one. To be able to pull it out of the bag here at Cornbury with the Howdens just makes it so much more special.
“Rolo has the biggest heart. He is the sweetest horse, and coming out of the start box across country, I just know he is going to do his best to look after me. Riding him has taught me so much.”
Alongside top-class sport, Cornbury offers so much to its visitors, such as:
 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.

CONNORS ADVANCES FIRST AT CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

Ireland’s Ben Connors scored a first at Cornbury House Horse Trials (9-12 September) by winning the new British Eventing Advanced class for under-25 riders on his own OLS King Aragon.
This Advanced section, with a new cross-country track designed by Andrew Heffernan, was held as part of the Oxfordshire event’s preparations for hosting the FEI World Championships for U25s in September 2026.
Co Kildare-based Ben, 19, was third after dressage on a mark of 30.5 with 15-year-old homebred OLS King Aragon. The pair lowered one showjump, and then sped round the cross-country for 4.4 time-faults and a finishing score of 38.9. British rider Finn Healy was second on Intentie W with a score of 40.8.
Ben said: “It’s been a brilliant couple of days. This will be an amazing venue for the under-25 World Championships next year – the groundwork that David [Howden, Cornbury’s founder and president] has done here, the stunning Lawn dressage arena in front of Cornbury House, the whole atmosphere. And the cross-country is going to be a proper test for everyone – I loved riding round it today.”
He added: “This horse is very laid-back – he sleeps all day and he’s a pet to ride. He just wants to please and to do his best for you.”
Another 19-year-old, this time Jago Jackson, fresh from winning a team silver medal for Britain at the European Young Rider Championships in Sweden, took The Howden Way Young Rider CCI3*-S on Johnny Hornby’s Barrington Highlight K. Jago, who is based at Johnny’s Barrington Sport Horses’ yard just 20 minutes from Cornbury, led throughout the competition, adding only 6.4 cross-country time-faults to his dressage mark of 26.3.
“He’s very smart on the flat and he produced an amazing test yesterday, and then today he was just awesome in the showjumping. I don’t think he’s had a pole down in about 10 events since Belsay last year – he’s ultra-careful – and he was fantastic round this beautifully designed cross-country course as well. Cornbury is one of my favourite events of the year!”
Max Warburton’s victory in The Howden Way British Eventing National Seven-Year-Old Championship was his third consecutive win in these highly prestigious young horse championships in three years. Riding Nicky and Robin Salmon and his own Earl Dorado, on whom he took the five-year-old national championship in 2024, Max rose well up the order after dressage with two excellent jumping performances to complete on a score of 33.7.
Lizzie Baugh was second and third on KBIS Star Struck and Tysons Upto Trix with final scores of 34.2 and 34.5.
Max, who was also fourth on Monbeg Condor, said: “These are two very different horses, but both are top-class prospects for the future. I loved the way the cross-country rode now that [course-designer] David Evans has reversed the track – it’s a real championship course, which is only right for a championship class like this, which prepares them so well for the world young horse championships at Le Lion d’Angers.”
There was also a Pragnell-sponsored CCI3*-S section today at Cornbury House, in which Lucinda Mesquita pulled off her first-ever international triumph. Lucinda was riding her own and Heidi Bates’ DSH Golden Eye, and secured a rare cross-country clear inside the time to complete on her dressage mark of 30.9.
She said: “I’ve had this horse since he was a three-year-old and have done everything with him, which makes it even more special. He’s been a pleasure to produce and I know him like the back of my hand. He’s going to Blenheim next week so I wasn’t supposed to be running fast here, but when I was in the lead after showjumping, my husband [CCI5* rider Aaron Millar] said, ‘You need to go fast!’
“It’s lovely to come to an event and for it to feel different – they’ve done an amazing job here in changing the layout and the track around. It rides so well. The ground’s amazing, it rode beautifully and it’s a great venue.”
Alongside top-class sport, Cornbury offers so much to its visitor, such as:
 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.

*UPDATE* ALTERATIONS TO CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS FOR 2026

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.”

***NEW*** CORNBURY FUN 5K FOR CHARITY

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 ARE NOW OPEN FOR CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

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

CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS TO BE BROADCAST ON CLIPMYHORSE.TV

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.

INTRODUCING THE DIDDLY DOG SHOW TO CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS

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 Dog, Best Tractor/Horsebox Companion, Best 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

Premier Equine Announced as Official Apparel Partner of Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026

Premier Equine is proud to announce its partnership with Cornbury House Horse Trials as Official Apparel Partner for 2026.

Taking place from 9–13 September 2026 on the Cornbury Park estate near Charlbury in Oxfordshire, Cornbury House Horse Trials has become one of the most distinctive events in the British eventing calendar. The event brings together world-class equestrian sport, rising talent, countryside hospitality, curated retail, local food and drink, culminating in an end of summer sporting celebration in one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful settings.

As part of the partnership, Premier Equine will support the Cornbury House Horse Trials event team with premium apparel for the 2026 event, helping create a smart, professional and consistent presence across the showground.
Premier Equine is a proudly Great British equestrian brand, recognised for premium horsewear, technically advanced rugs, horse leg protection and rider clothing. Designed around quality, comfort and performance, Premier Equine products are trusted by riders across the UK and internationally, from everyday training to competition.

The partnership reflects a natural alignment between two names that value presentation, performance and the detail behind a high-quality equestrian experience.

Adam Zegocki, Chief Operation Officer at Premier Equine, said: “Cornbury House Horse Trials feels like a natural fit for Premier Equine. It brings together everything we value as a brand: exceptional horses, talented riders, countryside life, quality, presentation and a real respect for the sport.

“We are especially pleased to support an event that celebrates both established names and the next generation of riders. That is important to us. Our work with Jemima Howden has already shown how powerful the connection can be between rider, horse, product and story, and this partnership gives us a strong platform to build on that in a way that feels authentic.

“Premier Equine has always been built around products that support performance, comfort and protection for horse and rider. To bring that into an event like Cornbury, through both apparel and wider storytelling, is something we are genuinely proud of.”

David Howden, Founder and President of Cornbury House Horse Trials, said: “Premier Equine is exactly the kind of partner we want alongside us as Cornbury House Horse Trials continues to grow. They are a respected British brand with a genuine commitment to quality, performance and the welfare of horse and rider, values that sit at the heart of everything we are building here at Cornbury.

“In just a few years, the event has established itself as one of the most exciting fixtures in the eventing calendar, bringing together world-class sport, emerging talent and a unique visitor experience. As we look ahead to another landmark year in 2026 and towards hosting the U25 World Championships in 2027, it is important that we work with partners who share our ambition and long-term vision for the sport.

“To have our event team equipped by Premier Equine is a fantastic addition, and we look forward to working together to deliver an outstanding experience for competitors, owners, sponsors and spectators alike.”

Cornbury House Horse Trials 2026 will feature international FEI classes at CCI3-S and CCI2-S level, The Howden Way Youth Championships, the British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-old horses, the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup, and a new Advanced class for riders under the age of 25 ahead of the U25 World Championships taking place at the venue in 2027 The event will also continue to offer a distinctive visitor experience, bringing together premium hospitality, local food and drink, curated shopping and countryside entertainment in the heart of the Cotswolds.

‘DRESSAGE ON THE LAWN’ AT CORNBURY HOUSE HORSE TRIALS!

As the two-month countdown to Cornbury House Horse Trials (9-13 September) starts, the Oxfordshire event has forged further ahead in the front ranks of the British equestrian scene by launching a new Advanced class for under-25 riders for 2026.

Event president and founder David Howden has created a spectacular new dressage arena on the lawn of Cornbury House, where he and his family live, which will be used for the British Eventing Advanced under-25 class this September and for the FEI Eventing World Championships for U25s, hosted here at Cornbury, in 2027.

David said: “We are so excited about this new national Advanced class – the dressage arena in front of the house is just breathtaking, even if I am not sure our gardener agrees! It will give up-and-coming young riders – the Olympians of the future – an incredible atmosphere in which to compete and to develop their skills in the best possible way, which is everything Cornbury House Horse Trials is about.

“We are thrilled to have a new Advanced cross-country track this year, designed by the brilliant Andrew Heffernan, and we’re looking forward to a superb seventh edition of Cornbury House Horse Trials. We have the most amazing group of supportive partners who share our vision for Cornbury House Horse Trials, and we are very grateful to them for helping us grow what we can offer riders, horses, owners and visitors.”

Cornbury House Horse Trials hosts the British Eventing National Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-olds, under-21 classes sponsored by The Howden Way, CCI3*-S sections sponsored by Pragnell, and CCI2*-S classes supported by Premier Equine. The incredibly popular £50,000 Arena Racing Company (ARC) Racehorse to Eventer Challenge Cup returns for a second year, too.

New Advanced course-designer Andrew Heffernan, who works in conjunction with Cornbury’s long-standing course-designer David Evans, has introduced major changes to the cross-country tracks for 2026.

Andrew said: “We’ve relocated the start of the courses to a quieter area, which means we can use the ground round the hub of the event site to provide more entertaining and exciting complexes of fences for visitors to watch. The route of the courses has been completely changed, which will give the event a very different look and feel.

“Running an Advanced class is a very exciting step up for Cornbury, and should provide both a terrific test and great viewing.”

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

Exquisite hospitality – the Endless Lunch at Cornbury by Mirabeau, a feast of delicious food and wine overlooking the spectacular main arena, returns at the fantastic price of £95 per adult, including event entrance, for Saturday, 12 September, along with the Great Cornbury BBQ, which is available on Sunday, 13 September at £45 per head.
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
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 overlooking Cornbury House and the surrounding parkland.

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.

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