Thousands turn out to Osberton Horse Trials

The rain stayed (mostly) away, but the crowds didn’t, as thousands turned out to enjoy Osberton Horse Trials in Nottinghamshire, the last international event of the year.
Osberton proved to be a great finale to the eventing season, with Piggy French and local rider Rosalind Canter taking the British Eventing 6yo and 7yo Caunton Manor Stud Championship titles respectively. ‘Girl Power’ summed up this year’s event, with 5-year-old winner Champion Codebreaker ridden by Eliza Stoddart and 4-year-old Kadans ridden by Vicky Tuffs, completing the winning set.

The Carriage Driving Trials, headlined by local family company Bennington Carriages of Long Bennington, went down a storm. After many years of absence from Osberton, it was fantastic to see the amazing turnouts and the marathon trials really ‘wowed’ visitors.

Commenting on Facebook, Denny Bailey said: “Really enjoyed watching the driving, so many different combinations, fabulous to see the driving cross country.”

Sue Mart from Bennington Carriages said: “We were delighted to be title sponsors for the Bennington Carriages Osberton Driving Trials. After a break of 33 years, it was great to have carriage driving return and put Osberton back on the map. We received overwhelming support from novice to international drivers, with the organisers and volunteers working together to make this a first-class event to showcase the sport. It was fantastic to see so many spectators and eventers enquiring about driving. We were certainly flying the flag for British Carriage Driving.”

Award-winning sculptor Charles Elliott of London exhibited some incredible design pieces. Charles won a Silver-Gilt Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, so it was thrilling to see his art displayed in Nottinghamshire, around the Osberton Arena, from a life-size stag to silver ponies and horses.

Another crowd-pleaser was the Shire Horse display. One visitor, Lesley Parkin, said: “The knowledge and horsemanship of the stewards, owners and everyone involved was outstanding. So refreshing to have such genuinely friendly people sharing their passion and horses with us.”

Stuart Buntine, chief executive of Osberton organisers BEDE Events, said: “The weather was smiling for us. It was a great few days of competition with some very worthy winners. We were thrilled to see so many people out and about, enjoying our equestrian festival. We are now looking forward to launching our next international event in Nottinghamshire at Thoresby Park, from 27th–29th March next year.”

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