Hold your Horses – the Devon County Show will very soon be here, and the team is working at a fast and furious pace to bring visitors an array of jaw-dropping, adrenalin-fuelled attractions to the main arena.
The Headline Act, confirmed across all three days of the show will be Ben Atkinson and his magnificent troupe of Atkinson Action Horses.
For the past 25 years, The Atkinson family has developed a reputation for providing some of the most highly skilled horses and riders in the business for TV, film and photo shoots.
The British Horse Society (BHS) has released figures highlighting a rise in incidents between horses and vehicles in Devon.
Between the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 years, incidents in Devon rose from 7 to 17, the highest figure in the South West. These incidents refer to collisions between vehicles and horses, as well as near-misses, that have resulted in death, injury or distress to riders or their horses.
There are 1.3 million regular riders in the UK, and in total 230 horses and 39 riders have been killed since 2010.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s Cabinet Member for...
Everys, a well-known firm of solicitors with nine offices in Devon and Somerset, have announced their continued sponsorship at Bicton Arena in east Devon, one of the West Country’s leading competition venues. Everys - www.everys.co.uk first sponsored the all-weather surface in 2011 and the name has become synonymous with Bicton Arena.
The Everys Arena is seen as an integral part of Bicton’s success and is used throughout the year for competitions and training. From children enjoying Pony Club camp to competing international event riders hundreds of horses have been ridden in the...
Newton Abbot Racecourse has been named as one of the best racecourses in Britain for racehorse owners, after once again achieving Gold Standard from the Racehorse Owners’ Association (ROA).
Out of 60 racecourses in the country, Newton Abbot was one of 12 racecourses to be awarded the accolade, with others including Hamilton Park, Kempton Park and Market Rasen.
The Gold Standard award strives to recognise excellence for owners at each racecourse in the country and looks to improve the experience for racehorse owners year on year.
Horse trials action returns to Bicton Arena on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 when classes ranging from a BE80 training class to BE100Plus will be staged.
The competition has been specifically framed to encourage grass roots riders, those climbing through the ranks and professional riders with young or inexperienced horses.
Arena manager Helen West said: “We have a lot of entries in our BE80 and BE90 classes, as there is a huge demand for competitions at this level and we hope that every competitor will have a confident giving round across country and learn from...
Police are appealing for information after a bridle was taken from a traveller’s horse in Exeter on Friday 20 March.
The well-known traveller John Treagood was parked with his horse and caravan on the Alphington roundabout, underneath the A30, when he was approached by a man driving a white or cream vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle asked the 79-year-old if he was going to sell his horse, before stealing the black leather bridle off the horse while the victim’s back was turned, sometime between 3pm and 5pm.
The suspect is described as white, of large build, in his...
The ‘BEST Charity Pub Quiz’ hosted by the WESC Foundation at the School Hall at their Topsham Road site, attracted over 100 entrants from the local business community.
Sponsored by Thomas Westcott, the event was part of a focused fundraising campaign to raise much needed funds for a new mechanical horse and riding sessions for disabled learners.
A number of professionals and organisations from Exeter competed to win the title of the ‘Top Team’ which was won by ‘Shaun’s Big Night Out’ from NHS Devon Partnership Trust.
The real winners on the night, however, was the...
Bicton Arena has announced that Empire Coachbuilders, a firm of horsebox manufacturers based in Worcestershire, are the new title sponsors of its two international horse trials next year. The Devon venue will stage two CIC, or international, competitions in 2015, the first in April and the second in August with another affiliated event taking place in July. The new sponsorship deal means there is a substantial prize fund for the CIC two star classes. Arena manager Helen West said: “This is wonderful news as we are now able to offer prize money that is very much worth winning and we hope it...
It will be a case of little and large at Exeter Racecourse on Devon Day, November 23 when feathers will be flying and tiny hooves dashing. The racing Clydesdales are set to return and the racecourse is staging the first ever race for ponies born on Dartmoor. The pint-sized ponies will come under starters’ orders at 12pm and their wee little hooves will come tearing down the track as they demonstrate their versatility as tough, hardy and fast children’s ponies. Then the beguiling Clydesdales will take centre stage with professional jockeys’ on board. They’ll come thundering down the home...
Bicton Arena in East Devon, part of Clinton Estates, has been awarded international status for its April Horse Trials next year which means the venue will now host two CIC competitions in 2015 with the second taking place in August. A new competition has also been added to the calendar with an affiliated event (BE80 – 100) now running in July. With opportunities rare for riders in the Westcountry to compete at one or two star level, and thus gain qualification the next level of international competitions, the events are seen as valuable additions to the British Eventing calendar....
