There has been much uncertainty about the new abandonment rules in the BE Handbook. At Weston Park we take the views of our customers/competitors seriously and as such we have secured, through Shearwater Insurance, sufficient cover to provide a high degree of security for your entry fees should we have to abandon the event due to conditions beyond our reasonable control.

Whilst abandonment has been a rare occurence at Weston Park we believe that paying for insurance is the fairest way to secure a high percentage of your entry fees. As per the current BE rules competitors would receive no refund if we abandon after 5pm the day before the event. This is the point at which we have committed most of the entry and start fees in the preparation of the event.

However, with the recently arranged abandonment insurance through Shearwater we can now refund 85% of your entry fee plus 100% of your start fee in the unlikely event we have to abandon.

We are very grateful to Shearwater Insurance for their input and guidance to this process and the way they have come forward with a competitive policy when approached by the Weston Park organisers.

 Competitors can now enter Weston Park, Stafford, Chillington Hall and Weston Park (2) secure in the knowledge that we have you covered if the worst happens.

I would like to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas.

Whatever your plans are over Christmas I do hope you and your family stay safe.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Competitors, Volunteers, Officials and Sponsors for the great season we have had in 2021. Covid may have tried it best to halt Eventing but the determination of everyone, the fabulous way that the protocols were adhered to resulted in a safe return to the sport.

Without all of you the Weston Park Horse Trials team would not have had so much fun. The level of competition has been hot, horses and riders beautifully turned out, watching horses gallop across the magnificent park land is such a treat, thank you one and all for your support. You have all done a grand job this season from the early risers for dressage to the final prize giving. Every one works so hard behind the event to make this magical park come alive for every level of competitor.

As a competitor never underestimate just what Sponsorship has allowed this great event to become. They stayed with us through Covid even when they could not attend the event their support allowed us to fulfil our riders dreams, please raise a glass to all.

Dates for your diary 2022

April 9th & 10th - Advanced, OI, Intermediate, Novice
October 8th & 9th – BE80, BE90 including Teams Championships, BE100, Novice and Novice Masters

Health and Happiness to all our equestrian friends, we look forward to seeing you all fit and well in 2022.

Happy New Year

Janet & Vicky Plant
Weston Park joint Organisers.

Momentum is growing as we move closer to the October event. 

Running from BE80 to Novice Masters across the 2 days there is a great deal on offer at Weston Park this October. 

The October event has a different layout than April bringing all phases closer together.  The team understands that competition practice may have been short this season so the cross country course will reflect this. Both the Kidney pool and the Water splash have had a revamp which will give us more options for the future. 

Rowen Barbary Team Challenge at both BE80 and BE90

We are delighted to be hosting these very popular sections on Saturday 9^th October.  Some may well remember the fantastic team spirit proving the Team Challenge sections to be such a success over the last 2 years.

In the BE90 Team Challenge for 2021 we ran 2 full sections with a total of 22 teams the atmosphere was electric. Across both grades 80/90 there was a magic that only comes when you are a member of a team. 

BE have relaxed the qualifications for theses sections following the lack of events running qualifiers throughout the season:-

Do I have to be a BE member to take part?

No, for 2021 you can use a day pass, but you will need to purchase a day pass membership before entering.

BE Member and keen Team Challenger Olivia McCullough commented

"Last year’s Team Challenge was a really exciting addition to BE’s competition opportunities. To get together with friends and our horses in a fun and supportive atmosphere was brilliant. Hopefully with restrictions easing we will be able to support each other even more and make a real day of it”.

Part of the fun of the Team Challenge is putting your own team together, either with existing friends or with new ones! If you would like to find additional members of a team you can use our dedicated Team Challenge Facebook Group.

There will be individual prize money per section and Team prizes, now that restrictions are lifted you can bring your supporters. Making a special day of it as the season comes to a close. 

Entries are open and ballot date 14^th September will soon be here. 

We are very sad to hear the news that Sue Howard passed away last week. Sue has been part of Team Plant at our Horse Trials for more years than either of us would like to say. Our thoughts go out to her family especially her grandchildren who I know Sue would wish to look back and remember the good times the memories that we cannot forget.

We had known each other for many years, Pony Club, BHS examining and competing I had often ridden down the centre line saluted and lifted my head to smile at the judge to realise I had better ride a good test with nothing left to chance as this lady would not miss anything.

When I became a Horse Trials organiser Sue became a regular dressage Judge, 2 days twice a year at Weston and Brand Hall judging Novice to Advanced and sometimes both on the same day. Her enthusiasm for the horse was never ending, she loved life, people but most of all a good horse or pony ridden well. She could spot talent in a young horse or rider and was never afraid to give a well-earned 9.

When she finished her judging for the day we so enjoyed a cup of tea talking about the horses in her section and the odd funny moments. A valued friend not only to me but to Horse Trials and Dressage across the country

Sue had a zest for life, a true lady you will be so missed but fondly remembered

Janet Plant

Weston Park & Brand Hall Horse Trials