The Northumberland Challenge

The Northumberland Challenge, which unites the three international horse trials in Northumberland – Belsay, Alnwick Ford and Burgham – is being relaunched for 2026.

To be eligible to win the prize-pot, athletes must enter the same class at each event, but can ride a different horse each time.

For the first time, the big-money series will operate across CCI4*-S level, and any rider who can win the CCI4*-S classes at Belsay (15-17 May) and Burgham (30 July-2 August) will claim a £5,000 bonus. This is being sponsored by one of Northumberland’s finest five-star hotels, Matfen Hall – also Belsay’s official hotel partner.

This year the popular eventing news platform and cross-country filming company An Eventful Life are supporting the CCI3*-S part of the Northumberland Challenge, and any rider who wins all three of the CCI3*-S classes at Belsay, Alnwick Ford (26-28 June) and Burgham will receive a £5,000 bonus.

And engineering and manufacturing company N.I.S Ltd – long-term supporters of this innovative series – are sponsoring the CCI2*-S Northumberland Challenge. Any rider who wins all three of the CCI2*-S classes at Belsay, Alnwick Ford and Burgham will take home a £4,000 bonus.