Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
British Eventing is pleased to announce that the U25 National Championship class will continue to be held at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials and will from 2025 be incorporated into the CCI4*S class. For U25 riders wishing to still compete in the CCI4*L class, support will also be given. This move aims to attract a higher number of talented combinations available to participate in the championship which has long been associated with nurturing and promoting youth talent in the equestrian world.
Developing Britain’s young talent and providing our stars of the future with a valuable rung on the ladder has always been a strong ethos for the team at Bramham. Even back at the inaugural horse trials in 1974 there was a dedicated section for juniors and some nine years later, a young rider section was introduced. This developed into a National Championship class two years later in 1985 and ran successfully until 2002 when it became the Under 25 Championship. The first duo to take the title were none other than Zara Phillips, now Tindall, with Toytown – they of course went on to become European and World Champions.
British Eventing’s Head of Youth Darrell Scaife said: “The decision to incorporate the U25 National Championship class into the CCI4*S at Bramham International Horse Trials is a significant step towards nurturing the future stars of the equestrian world. We are committed to providing our young riders with the necessary support and opportunities to develop their skills and make a mark in the sport. By offering a platform that allows them to compete alongside senior riders, we not only elevate their performance but also inspire them to aim for the highest honours in eventing. We look forward to seeing these talented athletes grow. We are also delighted that Tina Cook who won both the Young Rider Championships and the Senior International class at Bramham is lead coach on our U25 programme and will be at Bramham to offer help and support to our younger competitors.”
The names of a number of Britain’s team medallists adorn the U25 roll of honour including Piggy March, Tom McEwen and reigning World Champion Yaz Ingham as well as individual stars Will Coleman (USA) and Astier Nicolas (FRA).
Defender Bramham International Horse Trials Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented: “Putting riders on the right path to reaching the highest honours in the sport was what Bramham was founded on, and we’re proud of the success rate in both riders and horses. We still want Bramham to be a target for those under 25 – they need support at this stage in their careers – and will recognise their successes as they compete in the CCI4*S section alongside the seniors. We look forward to welcoming the stars of the future in June – perhaps a top placing could put them on the road to a championship team spot.”
