Riding event to attract big crowd
A ONE-OF-A-KIND horse-riding event is returning to a rural Warwickshire village over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Princethorpe is hosting The National Schools and Riding Clubs Two-day Event across May 27 and 28, when more than 200 competitors from school and riding clubs across the UK will take part in disciplines including dressage, show-jumping and steeplechase with large crowds expected.
Taking place at Princethorpe College, near Rugby, the free event features a new spectators’ area for 2023, the competition’s 22nd year.
Located next to the course’s water complex, the new area will offer a view of the riders as they head out up the course and return back down the hill towards home through the water fence.
The ‘long format’ event is open to 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 100cm disciplines and encompasses dressage and show-jumping on day one, with roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country disciplines running on day two.
The new 70cm class will have a shortened roads and tracks course which excludes the steeplechase, before moving onto the crosscountry course.
The spectators’ area will include a marquee offering drinks, alongside room for visitors to bring their own picnics. Also on site will be Alan’s ICES ice cream van, plus food and drink will be available from Farriers Fayre - a Rugbybased trailer selling burgers and hot dogs.
The event is the only one of its kind in the UK.
It is supported by local firms Newton LDP and The Wigley Group as joint sponsors.
The Wigley Group has installed a new footbridge at the site. This provides direct access from the car park to the new spectators’ area.
The event runs from 8.30am to 6.30pm on both days. People arriving via satnav should use the postcode CV23 9PY.