Powderham Castle, built in 1392, lies in a beautiful deer park setting on the banks of the River Exe. The Courtenay family have lived here for over 600 years and have a long history of hosting wonderful events and welcoming people to their magnificent home. It was also the very popular venue for eventers for 40 years up to 1999 and organised by the family.

The breathtaking views to the estuary and beyond provide the perfect setting for the inaugural Powderham Castle Horse Trials.

The Horse Trials are affiliated to British Eventing and will hold Advanced, Intermediate and Novice classes, attracting 650 competitors from Olympic standard down to the rider progressing in Eventing.

The competitor will be completing the following three phases during one day:

• Dressage will be held in arenas in a quiet area near the horsebox park  
• The Show Jumping Arena will be in front of the Castle   
• The Deer Park provides the ideal setting for the final phase of the three Cross Country courses, using many traditional features and the undulating parkland that encompasses a new water feature and a re-sculptured sand pit near the Exe Estuary. The courses have been designed by Simon Bere and Eric Winter (the designer of Blenheim Palace International and Highclere Castle events, to name but two).

David Evans, the 2008 Olympic course builder and his team have constructed the many new features and permanent fences to their familiar high standard.

• In 2009 Powderham will apply to host the Westcountry’s first CIC* and CIC** International Horse Trials; and it is intended to add a CIC*** by 2011 prior to the London 2012 Olympics.

Facilities are being provided for trade exhibitors, a regional food village, children’s entertainment, dog agility fun course and various displays in the Countryside arena - against the backdrop of Powderham Castle.

On Saturday afternoon in the Show Jumping Arena, there will be a special parade of the finest Stallions in the West Country, which have been so influential in the breeding of Olympic and World Cup event horses.