Brand Hall, with its Georgian house and some 200 acres of rolling parkland has produced a Horse Trials since 2009. Mr & Mrs Taylor our hosts once a year allow their beautiful park to be used, with
3 international sections plus Novice and BE 90 it has become an event in the equine calendar not to be missed.
Named the Festival of Youth, the International section include the Charles Owen British Pony Championships, plus the IEC Equine Solutions International CCIJ2* which is soley for under 18 year olds. The adults also get in on the act with a hotly contested Rookery Park International at CCI2* These trials are an opportunity for the Selectors to watch the potential European Championships combinations, before making their final team selection.
Event Organiser and Cross Country Course Designer, Janet Plant is busy planning the new 2019 course
utilising the naturally undulating parkland, which has provided her with many design opportunities. There is a Sunken-road crossing using the disused railway line behind the house and a water complex so the chances of someone getting wet are high!
In the past we have had top class competitors and even royalty when the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall rode 2 horses plus dual Junior European Champion Laura Collett, Badminton winner, Oliver Townend and Olympic, World and European medallist Jeanette Brakewell all of which often bring their younger horses for education.
The juniors one year decided to raise money for Cancer research and they all dressed up as film characters. Some very amusing costumes came to the first trot up where the Vets and Ground Jury Officials inspect the horses before they are allowed to compete The action on the day is always fun to watch for the whole family