Arena opening by Devon’s eventing legend

Eventing legend Mary King MBE and her daughter Emily officially opened Bicton Arena’s new all-weather arena at a special ceremony that took place during the arenas international horse trails at the weekend which saw more than 700 horse and rider combinations in action.

The new arena has been sponsored by Western Counties Equine Clinic which is based at Culmstock and has opened a new branch at the arena. It will enable Bicton to enhance the competitions staged at the East Devon venue, providing new warm up arenas for its popular showjumping shows, as well as space for two more international dressage arenas.

Arena manager Helen West said: “We were thrilled that Mary and Emily, who live locally to Bicton, were able to officially open the arena. Mary is a legend in her own right having represented Great Britain at six Olympic Games from 1992 until 2012, and she is a familiar face at Bicton having competed here many times. Emily is fast following in her footsteps as one of the country’s most promising young riders.”

Pictured from left: Simon Joyner (Western Counties), Emily King, Helen West (Bicton Arena), Mary King, Chris Johannson (Western Counties)