My show calendar this year! 2024 Equestrian and Country Events Guide – Where to attend, what to wear and the best bits not to be missed!

Eeeeeekk!!

It’s not long now until the show season starts, and I am EXCITED to say the least! When it comes to this time of year, I have a packed calendar, going show to show across the Equestrian and Country circuit.

I wanted to share with you those events that I’ll be heading to, but also other notable events throughout the season!

Hopefully this inspires your own weekend plans and shows you some of the best events to attend this season!

Enjoy x

Badminton Horse Trials

Wed 8th – Sun 12th May 2024

This is where the season really kicks off! One of my favourite equine events, but don’t be fooled, Badminton isn’t just for horse lovers. This huge event really does have something for everyone. Most notably there is the XC day on the Saturday, offering all of the thrills and spills. But there is also the Shetland Pony Grand Nationall, Parade of Previous Winners, Dressage displays, Dog agility and The Dubarry Young Event Horse class, amongst so much else. The shopping at Badminton is also my favourite, so taking a look at the exhibitor list in advance is well worth it!

What to wear:
Something comfortable! Deck shoes, jeans or a denim skirt, shirt or sleeveless blouse, or a summer dress, and lots of layers!

Royal Ascot

Tues 18th – Sat 22nd June 2024

Next in the calendar is of course the glitz and glamour of Royal Ascot races. This for me is a great one as I usually only attend National Hunt meets, and these are usually all Winter months! National Hunt meets generally involve lots of layers and warm clothes, Royal Ascot on the other hand is all about fabulous dresses, hats and jumpsuits. Depending on the enclosure you go for, there are differences to the dress codes, so do make sure you check this beforehand. I absolutely love the Ascot racecourse, and whilst I know very little about Flat racing, I really would recommend this to anyone!

What to wear:
Smart dresses, jumpsuits, suits, heels or smart sandals and a beautiful hat/fascinator!

Royal Bath & West Show

Thurs 30th May – Sat 1st June 2024

Bath and West is such a fun show, celebrating the very best of rural life! The main rings hosts a whole range of displays including Jamie Squibb Freestyle, and mounted games, alongside the likes of Showjumping and Heavy Horses. There is so much more to see and do at B&W though, with a huge celebration for Animals, Food and the Countryside, this is an unmissable day out!

What to wear:
Something comfortable, and easy to wear all day. I would recommend jeans and a Bretton top, or a simple summer dress – plus a summer fedora is always a good idea!

Royal Three Counties Show

Fri 14th – Sun 16th June 2024

I have been attending this event since a child, and I still love it! Based at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, the event is really easy to get to from the motorway, and offers fun for all of the family. With multiple arenas, an equine area, farming village and much more, this sunny day out is not to be missed.

What to wear:
Usually it is a fairly warm weekend, so something loose and comfortable, and I would again advise a hat to keep the sun off. Also we are not naive enough to believe that it will never rain, so I would always back an umbrella and raincoat in the car!

NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage

Tues 2nd -Sun 7th July 2024

I have a particular attachment to the Hartpury Equine events, as I did my degree and Masters there, and I worked there, so these events will always have a special place in my heart. For those horse lovers on my blog, if you just want to indulge in pure international competition, but in a lovely and relaxed environment, then these shows are for you. With plenty to see in both the indoor and outdoor arenas, you can have a really lovely day out. I would always recommend the Gala evening on the Saturday night too, to see the very best of the action.

What to wear:
Anything! There is both inside and outdoor arenas and seating, so just something comfortable to be sat around in.

NAF Five Star Hartpury Showjumping Spectacular

Thurs 18th – Sun 21st July 2024

Another of the Hartpury equine events, this is the Showjumping specific event. Entry is free, so this is a great day out, and running over 4 days, you can dip in when best suits you. Offering the thrills and spills of International showjumping classes, this is a great way to spend a day.

What to wear:
Again, you really can just wear anything! There is both inside and outdoor arenas and seating, so just something comfortable to be sat around in.

The Game Fair

Fri 26th – Sun 28th July 2024

Relocating to Blenheim Palace this year, The Game Fair is ‘the event’ for those who are passionate about the Countryside. There’s a chance to try Countryside pursuits, shop til you drop, and watch a whole host of amazing demonstrations. The popularity of The Game Fair has continued to grow, with people travelling far and wide to attend the event. The Game Fair fashion has also increased in popularity, and now on the Friday, there is a best dressed competition. This really is such a fun event to attend, and a great place to meet back up with friends from across the Country.

What to wear:
As I mentioned, the fashion side has really increased, and a lot of attendees really want to make an effort. Tweed, Schofield, white dresses, Welligogs and Fairfax & Favor will be seen all across the 3 days – so really think outside of the box if you want to stand out!

NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials

Wed 7th – Sun 11th August 2024

The final event in the International equine events calendar at Hartpury, and of course they go out with a bang, the Horse Trials! This is one of my favourite horse trials to attend. It has a much quieter, and friendly feel than many of the large events now, but in terms of competition, you are still seeing the very best horses out there. Often known as the build up to Burghley, the turnout of horse and rider combinations is really impressive at this event! I almost didn’t want to share this one with you, I wanted to keep it as my secret place!

What to wear:
If you are attending on XC day, make sure you wear shoes which will take you all the way around the XC course, as it really is impressive to see, and usually a fairly easy walk to do.

Defender Burghley Horse Trials

Thurs 5th – Sun 8th September 2024

‘The world’s greatest 5* equestrian event’ – I think that pretty much sums it up doesn’t it. Saturday always draws the largest crowd, with an extremely demanding XC course for the horse and rider combinations to battle it out over. Burghley also hosts the final of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse, The ‘tea and trot up’ event on the Wednesday before the event starts, and a huge shopping village. Burghley for me is one of the best, the only disadvantage I find is the distance to get there for me, but that’s a small price to pay for the World class competition when you get there.

What to wear:
As we are now heading into September, layers are generally the best bet again. Gilets, wax jackets, fedoras are all a good shout, and depending on the weather, you might want to head back to boots!

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Thurs 19th – Sun 22nd September 2024

Blenheim is when the seasons dies off, so whilst it feels sad, it is also a fantastic 4 days. Blenheim palace hosts the most stunning backdrop for this events, and it is much quieter than the likes of Badminton and Burghley, which can help to create a slightly nicer event experience. With a much more relaxed feel, and the beautiful palace in the background, Blenheim horse trials is a really lovely day out.

What to wear:
As with Burghley, often it will be a case of using layers to ensure you are prepared for whatever weather late September decides to throw at us!

Horse of the Year Show

Wed 9th – Sun 13th October 2024

‘The biggest week of the year for Equestrian entertainmet’ – and it sure is that. For so many, competing at HOYS is a career dream, and with multiple classes each there, there is so much to see and watch. I love the atmosphere and feel around HOYS, but there is also first class competition, which is really impressive to watch. Now that the event season has drawn to a close, HOYS gives something to look forward to, and give that event fix again.

What to wear:
HOYS is an inside event, so you just need something that you can sit and walk around in, inside, comfortably.

London International Horse Show

Wed 18th – Sun 22nd December 2024

What used to be ‘Olympia’, London International Horse Show has seen big changes in the last couple of years, with the main one being the location change to the ExCeL. This event has always had that Christmas feel. I love coming to this event, booking a hotel in London, and spending time Christmas shopping and attending Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, alongside attending this event. LIHS and HOYS do have a tendency to have very similar displays/competition, so it is unlikely you need to attend both, unless you are really keen on the competitions themselves. Despite this event seeing some significant changes, the Christmas feel surrounding it is what keeps me coming back time and time again!

What to wear:
As with HOYS, London International Horse Show is an inside event, you just need something comfortable.

Other notable events to attend:

The Grand National – 11th to 13th April 24
Windsor Horse Show- 1st to 5th May 24
Devon County Show – 16th to 18th May 24
Chatsworth International Horse Trials – 17th to 19th May 24
Royal Cornwall Show – 6th to 8th June 24
South of England Show – 7th to 9th June 24
Royal Highland Show – 20th to 23rd June 24
Great Yorkshire Show – 9th to 12th July 24
Royal Welsh – 22nd to 25th July 24

I can’t wait to head into a super exciting event season this year! I know lots of you feel the same!

And don’t panic, I’ll be on hand to help with all of your style tips beforehand.

That’s all for now my darlings, but I’ll be back with the Paris style blog very soon!

Lots of love, Lucinda xo