Biggest Horse Events in the UK (2022) | Cavaletti

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Whether you are a spectator or competitor, there are plenty of equestrian events to enjoy throughout the year. Home to some of the largest and most prestigious horse events in the world, the United Kingdom is a mecca for all things equine! From dressage and show jumping to eventing and carriage driving, there's surely something for everyone.

Table of Contents

Cheltenham Races

Grand National Hunt Racing 

The Derby Meeting 

Royal Ascot Races

British Showjumping National Championship

British Eventing Festival

Tour of London 

Badminton Horse Trials

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

 

Here are just a few of the equestrian events that take place in the UK:

Cheltenham Races (National Hunt Racing) 

When?: Tuesday, March 15, to Friday, March 18, 2022

Next year's races: March 14 - March 17, 2023

Where?: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 

The 2022 Cheltenham Festival, the season's pinnacle, guaranteed top-notch competition from the start and was fulfilled successfully. Constitution Hill was more than a match for his competitors, including Jonbon and Dysart Dynamo, to establish a new course record and win by a significant margin in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Honeysuckle, the 2021 Champion Hurdle winner, went on to become the first mare to win the competition twice, defeating Appreciate It, Teahupoo, and preceding reigning champion Epatante in the big one. The Festival continued providing extraordinary head-to-head battles between the world's most outstanding National Hunt horses.

Energumene claimed the Queen Mother Champion Chase on the second day of top-level jump racing, while Tiger Roll, a dual Grand National winner, said his goodbyes to his admirers after placing second in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase.

On day three, Bob Olinger gained the Turner's Novices' Chase after Galopin Des Champs stumbled at the last hurdle, and Flooring Porter won the Stayers' Hurdle for the second year in succession.

During the last day of the Festival, Rachael Blackmore won her maiden Cheltenham Gold Cup with A Plus Tard beating out last year's winner, Minella Indo, providing trainer Henry de Bromhead a second one-two finish in the competition.

Grand National Meeting (National Hunt Racing) 

When?: April 13th - April 15th, 2023 

Where?: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

It's a handicap steeplechase spanning four miles and 3 1/2 a lap, with horses jumping 30 obstacles spanning two circuits. With such a cash prize of £1 million, the National is presently sponsored by Randox Health.

The race's hurdles are different from traditional steeplechase fences in that they have at least 14 inches of spruce on top of the bases. Resulting in the deaths of four horses in the two previous sessions, a number of alterations were implemented to the race in 2013. The fences' cores were shifted from traditional wooden poles to birch and plastic cores in such an approach to help them be more 'horse-friendly,' and the starting was relocated. Since the revisions, two horses have died: in 2019, a horse was knocked down by another runner during the race, and in 2021, a horse fractured its hindleg while sprinting between fences.

The Derby Meeting [Epsom] (Flat Racing)  

Legendary. Incomparable. Perpetual. The Cazoo Derby welcomes you!  The birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing. Two unforgettable days will be held on Friday, June 3 – Saturday, June 4 2022 at Epson, Surrey.

Every 243 years, a new champ is chosen. From the excitement of the hills to the classic spectacle and sideshows taking the scene, there's something for everyone. It's the most amazing extravaganza in racing.

You can get your tickets here! 

Royal Ascot (Flat Racing) 

The longest-running series resumes this summer! Royal Ascot 2022 will be a captivating burst of the senses, with an all-star ensemble, unrivalled racing, and spectacular Fine Dining that will be held in Berkshire from June 14th to 18th.

Royal Ascot is a world-renowned horse race that attracts some of the best horses in the world. It's also associated with sartorial refinement, thanks to its abundance of excellent couture and magnificent millinery designs.

Each of the five days is an experience that must be seen to be appreciated, from the entrance of the Royal Procession as the clock hits two to the communal song across Ascot's Bandstand.

Occupancy numbers will be reduced across the Royal, Queen Anne, and Windsor Enclosure, encompassing all 5 days of the Royal Meeting, as part of a massive aim and in accordance with input from racing fans attending the comparatively small Royal Ascot in 2021.

Get your Royal Ascot Tickets here!

British Showjumping National Championship (Showjumping) 

On the 2nd - 7th August 2022 at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, participants and spectators alike are ensured a fantastic day out! 

The British Showjumping National Championships provide a fun-filled family day filled with thrilling competitions, outdoor entertainment, refreshments, and a shopping town. Viewers who want to see this incredible performance can do so for free!

Festival of British Eventing (Eventing) 

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing will be held at Gatcombe Park from August 5th to 7th, 2022.

It features five championship categories for which horse and rider teams must participate throughout the year. It is a must-attend event for both riders and fans, and it always guarantees to be an exciting weekend.

The Festival features tournaments ranging from the Corinthian Cup for beginner riders to the British Open Championship, making it a true exhibition of the discipline at all levels.

The Tournament is a great measure of cross country racing, featuring some of the most challenging tracks on the loop at all levels. This is due not just to the land's topography, but also to Captain Mark Phillips' usage of it to assess and test horses and riders.

Global Champions Tour of London (Showjumping) 

Come join the world's finest showjumping series as it lands at Royal Hospital Chelsea in the heart of London. Three days of exhilarating top-level equine sports will be held in the capital as part of the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL team series. Both in individual and team categories, Britain's Olympic heroes will compete alongside the greatest foreign athletes and their equestrian stars at the fascinating event, which runs from the 19th to the 21st of August!

In this unique and compelling setting, join them for a memorable family day out. Together with the showjumping, there will be a lively retail village with children's activities, as well as a range of drinks and food outlets to satisfy all tastes. Visitors have exclusive access to the warm-up arena, where they can watch top horse and rider pairings preparing for battle.

Don't miss this opportunity to see the world's best horses and riders real close and in action at the Chelsea Pensioners' home, where the top-level participants engage every afternoon!

Badminton Horse Trials 

Badminton Horse Trials is the pinnacle of the international horse competition calendar and one of the most challenging and thrilling equestrian events.

When?: May 3rd to Sunday - May 7th, 2023

Where?: Badminton Park, South Gloucestershire

The competition is completed by horses and riders over four days, with each day comprising a new discipline. Horses and riders first must pass a dressage test on day 1 or 2, displaying Compliance, Command, Precision, and Gracefulness. On day three, participants must demonstrate their stamina, agility, and persistence by completing a four-mile cross-country circuit while hopping solid man-made and environmental hurdles in a defined time.

Finally, on day four, participants must execute a series of show jumps meant to evaluate their speed and technique, all within a set time limit, in order to prove soundness and the capacity to recover.

The sequence of commencement for the dressage and cross country tests is the same and will be determined by a draw. On the final day, athletes will be obliged to leap in the opposite order of their cross-country placements.

What to know more about this event? Find out here! 

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials 2022 

Take note of Thursday, September 1st - Sunday, September 4th, 2022 on your calendar because Land Rover Burghley will be returning and greater than it has ever been in Peterborough, Stamford!

Land Rover Burghley, the world's finest 5* equestrian event, is indeed a significant event in the summertime social period and is recognized worldwide by top riders as their ultimate competitive ambition. Tremendous crowds travel from all over the country to see and experience spectacular equestrian activity while also exploring the world-famous shopping aisles and enjoying several other popular attractions available in this absolutely stunning setting.

These are just a few of the many equestrian events happening in the UK in 2022.

There's something for everyone, whether you're a rider, a fan, or just looking for a fun day out. So mark your calendars and make sure to check out and catch as many of these amazing events as you can! If you enjoyed this read, check out Cavaletti's blog page for more captivating articles!