Horse Trials Hosts Picnic in the Paddock

With just under three weeks to go preparations are now well underway for the second and final Skipton Building Society Horse Trials of the year, to be held at Funkirk Farm, Carleton on the 7th and 8th August and for the first time ever the event will host a Picnic in the Paddock. The August event comes after the group’s most successful event to date which took place in June.

Twice yearly Eventing has not been seen at the Funkirk Farm based Horse Trials, which runs in association with Askham Bryan College, since 2007 but after a three year break to enable the development of the event the Committee have decided that the time is right to reintroduce the August dates. This continued development has been recognised with British Eventing adding the Mitsubishi Motors BE90 Regional Final class, a qualifier for the Mitsubishi Motors BE90 Championship which will be held at Badminton Horse Trials next year.

Not only will there be exhilarating competition at the Trials which feature Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country, but the event will also feature in the diary of many spectators, and the event organisers are hoping that the new “Picnic in the Paddock” event will be enjoyed by more people than ever before. Event Organiser Paul White explains more; “There is always thrilling sport on offer at Skipton, and we thought we’d encourage everyone to come down with the family and bring a picnic, sit at the ringside and soak up the exciting atmosphere. It’s a thrilling family day out, and with the country shopping village being larger than ever we really have something to offer everyone”.

In addition to the shopping village, the event will also host an array of food and drinks stalls as well as the licensed bar, which was added at the June event and proved to be very popular. Coniston Falconry Centre will also be back at the event with their birds of prey.

You can visit the Horse Trials Facebook page for the very latest news, views and opinions. Entry to the event is £5 per person. Children under 16 and Car Parking are free.

Team Edge Lead the way at Skipton

Riders and Spectators from all over the North and beyond made their way to Skipton Building Society Horse Trials on 26th and 27th June, where entires were up by around 20% and spectator numbers were doubled in just one year. Over 3000 people attended the weekend long event, held at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

The event, now in its 22nd year, has gone from strength to strength under the new Organising team appointed two years ago, and local riders as well as International competitors made their way back to the Funkirk Farm based event.

Amy Dixon and Liz Philip (Principal of Askham Bryan College)

Extensive changes were made to the Cross Country Course, with Designer Gary Podmore opting to run the track in the opposite direction for the first time in the events history. The changes were well received, with many riders, including Mitsubishi Badminton Grassroots winner Amy Dixon commenting that the change of direction made the course flow much more consistently. On the Saturday Amy took the top spot in the Askham Bryan College BE100 Section C.

Paul White and Ruth Edge

It was Cumbria based Team Edge and their five rides who stole the weekend, taking both first and second in the Lycetts 4 Year Old class, as well as taking 1st in the Skipton Building Society Novice Section M. Just behind Ruth was Yorkshire based rider James Sommerville who had a fruitful campaign. He was placed with all four of his rides but was unlucky to miss out on a first place.

Paul White and James Sommerville

Lancashire based Ben Hobday followed last years win at Skipton by topping the leaderboard with Project Vilmar and beating Karen Dixon in the Skipton Building Society Novice Section L. Ben had three rides at the event.

Paul White, Event Organiser said of the successes "We're really pleased with how the event ran. The changes were well received and its always good to see some of the people who have supported us for so long do well. I certainly feel that the hard work put in over the past few years is paying off, and the fact that the entries were full shows people like the event."

He added "My main aim is to make sure the competitors enjoy themselves, that's why I do this. We are already looking to next year and have plans in the pipeline. 2011 will undoubtedly see the biggest and most exciting changes in the history of this event".

Skipton (2) will run on 7th and 8th August 2010, and you can get all the latest news on this website.

Please feel free to browse www.nickgillphotography.co.uk and contact him directly. Alternatively please search for our Facebook Fan Page. You may use any pictures from there.

New Media Proves Hit For Countryside Events

New media is a great tool for marketing outdoor events, according to North Yorkshire based event Skipton Building Society Horse Trials. Until recently the event which has run for 22 years had not embraced the internet age, but this year has seen the event launch its new website, as well as utilising Social Media to promote as well as manage the weekend long equestrian competition. The new website, www.skiptonhorsetrials.co.uk has seen 2000 hits since its launch in March this year, and the Facebook fan page has 329 fans, 67% of whom are females, with the majority being aged between 18 and 24. The Facebook page regularly receives in excess of 300 visits per week and the Twitter page has over 90 fans.

Event Organiser, Paul White, explained the benefits of using new media. "We've found this has made a huge difference in managing our event in three ways. It helps to promote the event to a wider audience, it keeps the regulars informed as to what changes are taking place, and it provides a great platform for recruiting".

"We've used the Facebook page to recruit volunteers, which has worked incredibly well. Wherever we’ve had a gap in our volunteer schedule we’ve put it online and that gap has been plugged within hours. The new website has been great for recruiting and managing Trade Stands, we can get lots of information online and Exhibitors can browse at their leisure and download the forms. It’s saved us a lot of time in managing that side of it."

The Horse Trials also reports that the new media platform has been a good tool for keeping current spectators and competitors informed. They have made use of the internet to announce sponsorships, design changes and classes, meaning people feel as though they are involved all year round. As the event, which runs on 26th to 27th June and 7th to 8th August approaches, there will be even more information uploaded straight onto the Social Media sites.

Paul added "In the week prior to the event we'll be offering snippets of what people can expect through text and pictures, keeping everyone right up to date. On the event weekend we'll be announcing the results online almost immediately, and adding event photos to the site. I believe it's also an excellent way of encouraging newcomers to Eventing, giving them a taste of what to expect, and from a spectator point, to widen the sport to a whole new audience. Afterwards, we'll be encouraging feedback to enable us to improve the event the following year".

The facebook fan page is at www.facebook.com/skiptonhorsetrials.co.uk and you can also follow the event on twitter at www.twitter.com/skiptonHT.

The Horse Trials are also willing to help others to utilise New Media to promote their events.

Competition Entries up by Ten Per Cent

With just under two weeks to go, entries have now closed for the Skipton Building Society Horse Trials, which starts on Saturday 26 June. And already some of the country's top riders are giving Yorkshire's biggest equine event the thumbs up, as competition entries have increased by ten per cent from last year.

A staggering 518 riders have registered to take part in the Skipton Building Society Horse Trials – proving the popularity and appeal of this top Yorkshire event. The event will run on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June, at Funkirk Farm, Carleton.

The Horse Trials will see many favourites return to the event, as well as some who have been notably absent in recent years. Skipton favourite Ben Hodbay will be returning this year. Ben is the former Under 21 Eventing Champion, and was a member of the British gold medal team that won the Young Rider European Championships in Germany. Ben won the BE100 class at last year's event

Competing alongside Ben will be York based 22 year old James Sommerville, who has been competing at Skipton since he was 15-years-old. Over the last six years, James has finished first place four times. James said of the event "Skipton Building Society Horse trails is a well organised event over good ground. I always enjoy competing at Skipton and usually have a large number of rides across both competitions as there are a wide variety of classes. It's an ideal event to take younger horses to as all the courses are well built, follow a good track and ask the right amounts of questions for the horse and rider combinations."

Making her return to Skipton after a five-year break is highly acclaimed rider Ruth Edge, who recently finished fourth at the Bramham International Horse Trials. Ruth is tipped to be knocking on the door of the Olympic selectors, having been on the reserved list for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the British Eventing rankings for 2006, Ruth is placed sixth and on her last visit to Skipton in 2005 she took the top spot in all three classes she entered.

Former Olympic rider Karen Dixon will also be at the event, competing in the Novice class. Karen was part of the Silver medal team at the Korean Olympics in 1988, and part of the Gold medal team at the Eventing World Championships in Stockholm.

This year's Horse Trials, which has made a return to running twice a year, has lots to offer, with thirty Trade Stands, more than ever before, and things are different out on the Cross Country too.

Event Director Paul White said "This year's Skipton Building Society Horse Trials will have a real family ringside atmosphere, with quality trade stands, fine foods, a licensed bar looking right onto the Showjumping ring and Cross Country course and much more."

"It's great to see so many riders pledging to come to this event. Our course designer, Gary Podmore has been busy improving the layout and making it more challenging for riders. And word has obviously got round!"

Skipton Saddles up with Three-Year Support for Top Equine Event

Skipton Building Society has saddled up with the area's biggest equestrian event, Skipton Horse Trials, in a move which will see the gathering/competition rebranded as part of a new three-year partnership.

The all new Skipton Building Society Horse Trials will not only feature exhilarating sport with some of Britain's biggest names from the equestrian world. It also represents one of the key rural social events of the year, taking place right at the gateway to the stunning Yorkshire Dales, at Funkirk Farm, Heslaker Lane, Carleton, Skipton.

The Horse Trials, which are also supported by Askham Bryan College and White Rose Caterers feature cross country, showjumping and dressage, and will take place on 26-27 June and 7–8 August. They will also feature plenty of visitor attractions; with quality trade stands, delicious food and a licensed bar, ensuring a fun and entertaining day out for equestrian enthusiasts and the general public alike.

Skipton has a strong track record of supporting the communities in which its members live and work, and has pledged its support as lead sponsor for the Horse Trials up to and including 2012, the Olympic year. This will enable visitors to see first hand a number of Great Britain international competitors, some of whom are expected to ride at London 2012.

Event Director, Paul White, said: "We're very excited to announce this partnership at a time when we've already been putting huge effort into developing the Horse Trials. We hope that with Skipton Building Society's support we can take the event further still to ensure it’s one of the best family days out in North Yorkshire."

Paul added "We'd like to think that the number of local and regional businesses that have come forward to support the event this year is testament to how much it has developed in recent years".

David Cutter, Group Chief Executive of Skipton Building Society said:

"We're delighted to add our backing to this fantastic local event. Not only is eventing an enjoyable sport to follow, but the two-day horse trials provide a great day out for families in the Skipton area and beyond – as well as boosting the area’s profile and economy."

As an established mutual building society, Skipton is committed to doing everything possible to enhance the local communities in which it operates. As well as the significant contributions it makes as a business, to a range of key community partners, Skipton's branches carry out extensive fundraising each year in their local areas. Good causes they have helped include Children in Need, Macmillan Cancer Support and many local community causes.

David Cutter, Group Chief Executive of Skipton Building Society and Paula Hartley, Secretary to Skipton Horse Trials

Askham Bryan College announced as major event sponsors

After a successful season last year, Skipton Building Society Horse Trials now has preparations well underway for its 2010 season. The event has signed a new title sponsor, one of the country's foremost land-based education establishments, Askham Bryan College. The college will itself be holding its inaugural Horse Trials in October of this year, and Philip Grant, responsible for Marketing at the college said "As the fastest growing Equine College in the region, we are thrilled to collaborate and support Skipton Building Society Horse Trials. It is imperative that in these demanding and challenging times that the industry bands together to support one another. 2010 promises to be an exciting year; Askham Bryan is thrilled to be able to put something back into the sport that we all love, be it in sponsoring, riding or organising our own event."

Also new this year, British Eventing has awarded two different qualifying classes. In June the Horse Trials will hold the Lycett's Young Horse 4 and 5 Year Old Qualifiers, and in August there will be the Mitsubishi Motors BE90 Grassroots Regional Qualifier.

Event Organiser, Paul White added "We're very excited about developments at Skipton. We’ve got the new website up and running and we're tweeting regularly to build up support. The addition of the qualifiers in addition to our normal classes will really strengthen the event. We will now have more qualifying classes than any other Yorkshire Horse Trials."

Paul added "We're pleased that International Course Builder Gary Podmore will be back again this year, and we'll be making large investments on the Cross Country Course once again. We will be aiming to attract as many Visitors and Trade Stands as we can to enhance the visitor experience, and the June event is during National Picnic Week so we will be urging families to bring along a picnic and take in the breathtaking views, and thrilling sport, whilst enjoying lunch on the hill."

Preferential entry for competitors nominating a volunteer Once again, we will be offering a preferential entry to those riders who volunteer or nominate someone to volunteer on their behalf before, during or after the event.

Send us your photos of previous Skipton Horse Trial events: Skipton Building Society Horse Trials would like any fans with pictures taken at Skipton to email them to us so that we can use them on this website.

Spread the love....invite your friends: Skipton Building Society Horse Trials now has a Facebook page. Become a fan and tell all your friends.

Site improvements for 2010: Since the new team took up the reins at Skipton in 2009, the site layout has been changed to develop more of a central hub, and a great deal has been invested in upgrading the cross country course. This work has so far not only included new fences, but extensive works to the water complex, and we will be continuing these developments in time for the 2010 season.