Fabulous weather brings large crowds to stunning Northern venue

• Belsay’s own Baramona Lass returns home to claim the British Pony Championship with new jockey Jess McCaldin
• Badminton Winner Ros Canter claims the CCI2*-L with Parklodge Side by Side
• World Champion Yasmin Ingham wins CCI3*-S on Banzai du Loir
• £12,000 raised for Charities British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research

Current Eventing World Champion Yasmin Ingham and 2023 Badminton Winner (and previous World Champion) Ros Canter were joined by a host of other top professional and amateur riders to enjoy the wonderful weather and fabulous atmosphere at Belsay International Horse Trials last weekend, where high level competition combined with celebrations for the event’s 10^th Anniversary and fund raising for charity.

Organisers were delighted with visitor numbers who came in large numbers to watch the big classes at this hugely popular Northumberland Event – the British Pony Championship, the British Junior Championship the CCI2* Long Format Senior Class, plus the first leg of the ‘Northumberland Challenge’ CCI2* and CCI3* short format competitions.  There were a total of ten different cross country tracks across Belsay’s beautiful and undulating park land, cleverly designed by Adrian Ditcham and built by Rob McSkimming.  Belsay’s loyal sponsors were out in force to support the event led by title sponsor Barbour and Dame Margaret Barbour and daughter Helen were there to present prizes.

Current European Eventing Champion, former Olympic Medallist and British Team Stalwart, Nicola Wilson led a course walk on Thursday afternoon to raise awareness and money for the Belsay’s two charities, British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) and Spinal Research.  BEST was launched in 2021 to help event riders though difficult times, whether recovering from an accident or dealing with mental health issues and has supported Nicola’s recovery from a life changing accident at Badminton Horse Trials in 2022. With raffles and auctions as well, a whopping £12,000 was raised during the event to be split between the two charities.

Alongside the main action in the Womble Bond Dickinson International Arena, the Castle and Hall Arenas hosted National Equestrian Association Show Jumping on Friday, the British Pony Association’s Working Hunter Pony Show on Saturday with Arena Eventing, Young Horse Performance Classes and the Inter Hunt Relay Competition on Sunday.  The Belsay Dog Show was also a huge success raising £500 for the Newcastle Cats and Dog Shelter.  Border Reiver Archers were also in attendance alongside a fun fair and a fabulous array of trade stands and food stalls.

Laura de Wesselow, Organiser of Belsay International Horse Trials said: “Belsay 2023 has been amazing.  We have been blessed by the weather and enjoyed such exciting competition and a wonderful friendly atmosphere.  I would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, competitors and trade stands who support the event but most of all to the huge army of volunteers that give up their time to give everyone such a fantastic experience here at beautiful Belsay!”.