Laura Collett competes at Cornbury in 2022. Photo by Peter Nixon.
Cornbury House Horse Trials in Oxfordshire will host the British Eventing Young Horse Championships for five-, six- and seven-year-old horses in 2023.
These prestigious classes will run alongside The Howden Way Youth Championships for juniors and under-21 riders, and the popular CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S sections from 7-10 September. There will also be national intermediate classes.
Event founder David Howden said: “I am absolutely delighted that Cornbury House will be the new home of the hugely important Young Horse Championships. Since CHHT’s inception in 2020, I have made no secret of the fact that I am passionate about supporting the best British-based talent and that we are utterly committed to helping the stars of our sport – present and future – to reach their goals.
“We have made considerable investments in the site once again this year. We will be able to unveil a second level to our amazing main arena in September – another 70m by 45m grass arena connected to the current one.
“The cross-country start and finish has been re-sited, allowing the track to have a fresh feel, and, of course, we will have a brand-new 1.05m course for the five-year-old championships.
“In the three years that CHHT has been running, we have been overwhelmed by the strength of the positive reactions and feedback from riders, owners and supporters. We think we will be able to offer everyone something even more special for 2023, and being given these important young horse championships is a great honour for us.”
Course-designer David Evans will be assisted by Dutch international event rider Andrew Heffernan in 2023. Further work has been done to level and improve the going in the dressage warm-up areas, and the ground available for the international dressage arenas has been extended. There will be stabling for competitors on-site for the first time.
New for 2023 will also be arena eventing under the banner of The Howden Way, the talent pathways and coaching scheme set up by British Eventing with the support of David Howden in 2022.
British Eventing chief executive Helen West said: “Cornbury House Horse Trials has always been one of the most prestigious and popular events in the British Eventing calendar. David Howden is passionate about our sport and provides the very best experience for all stakeholders at what is a top-class event.
“David leads an exciting and dynamic team that brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh approach to add innovation, a focus on sustainability and an exceptional day out to the eventing calendar. I have no doubt that the news that Cornbury is hosting the British Eventing Young Horse Championships will be extremely well-received by riders, owners and supporters.”
