Showjumpers flock to East Devon

Showjumping takes centre stage at Bicton Arena this Friday where more than 500 competitors will be competing over three days in four different arenas with 350 horses stabled on site for the duration

Some of the Westcountry’s top names from the sport will be heading to the East Devon venue including Justin Tuff, Sammie Jo Coffin, Andrew Davies, Andrew Williams, James Johnson and Paul George.

Organiser Helen West said: “Showjumping has always been very popular at Bicton and we will be very busy this weekend. Stabling 350 horses takes quite of organising but we are delighted with the support and very grateful to all our sponsors who include Chipmunk, Pinkey SPorthorses, Stockdales, Kesterl Contractors and ESP Photographics.”

Bicton is famed for its white railed grass arena where some of the more famous names from the sport have ridden in the past. Sponsored by Rathbones, spectators will be able to enjoy all the action from their seats on the natural amphitheatre with classes including Kestrel Contractors Young Rider and national 1.30m open classes. In the Everys Arena classes start at 80cms while ponies take centre stage in the Newbery Arena where classes range from a 70cm to 1.20m.

Later this year on June 12 – 17 Bicton will be staging three prestigious Horse of the Year Show qualifiers as well as an Area Trial and a 1.40m Grand Prix.

Helen said: “Staging these classes will really help put Devon on the map for showjumping and we hope plenty of famous faces will head to the Westcountry to compete.”