For our inaugural event in the Deer Park of Powderham Castle in 2008 we were nearly the victim of another tough weekend of weather as we endured every type of weather except sun and snow! Great credit goes to David Evans and his cross-country course building team, who built three new courses and they required no alterations despite the adverse conditions.
The Horse Trials returns to Powderham Castle on 18 and 19 April and we will look forward to some Spring sunshine. We will be welcoming the best riders in the country to compete over the weekend - testing both rider and horse to their limits, it will make a great day out.
Rider and horse will show their skills in the dressage phase and then demonstrate their control and accuracy in the show jumping ring in front of the Castle, before completing the final test of the challenging cross-country course. Novice and Intermediate riders compete on Saturday and Advanced and more Novice riders on Sunday. We expect over 600 to take part and the event attracts 8,000 people during the weekend.
The best way to enjoy the event is to go along on either of the days to see the riders leap five-foot brush hedges and scale huge timber fences. Walk the course and you get plenty of fresh air, some invigorating exercise and the chance to check out the fantastic surrounds of the Deer Park with the Castle as a magnificent backdrop overlooking the Exe estuary. Bring your Barbour and green wellies.
On both days there will be many demonstrations in the Countryside Arena from falconry, hounds, terrier racing, gundogs and wildfowling. If you bring your dog with you, have a go in the dog agility ring with many prizes to be won. Please remember to keep your dog on the lead at all times and deposit dog droppings in the special bins around the site.
There will be plenty for the children to do on the lawn beside the Castle, such as face painting, trampolines, bouncy castle and more.
The magnificent historic Powderham Castle and Deer Park offers a fantastic opportunity for companies to become involved in corporate hospitality or sponsorship.
Powderham Castle Horse Trials offers a host of sponsorship opportunities, tailoring each proposal to the bespoke needs and objectives of its partner so that maximum benefit and return on investment is generated for the ‘sponsor’. For further information please contact the joint organiser, Arthur Stevens.