Bishop Burton College Prepares to Welcome Britain's Next Generation of Eventing Stars

Bishop Burton College is preparing to welcome the country's most talented young event riders this weekend as it hosts the prestigious Bishop Burton International and British Eventing Festival of Youth, further strengthening its reputation as one of the UK's leading centres for equestrian education and competition. 

The five-day event will see hundreds of riders, their families, coaches and supporters travel from across the UK to compete at the College's world-class equestrian facilities, bringing together elite competition, education and industry in one inspiring celebration of the future of British Eventing. 

Hosted at Bishop Burton College as the long-term home of the Festival of Youth through to 2031, the event will feature a packed programme of competition, including the Junior National Championships, Pony National Championships, CCI2*-S Junior Championship, Regional BE100 Championship and Regional BE90 Championship. The championships provide a showcase for the country's most promising young riders, many of whom are recognised as future stars of the sport. 

Alongside the championships, the event offers competitors the opportunity to perform at an international-standard venue, with spectators able to enjoy thrilling competition across dressage, showjumping and cross-country, as well as trade stands and a vibrant equestrian atmosphere throughout the week. 

As one of the UK's premier equestrian venues, Bishop Burton College provides the ideal setting for a championship of this calibre. The College's extensive facilities include international-standard arenas, an established cross-country course and specialist teaching facilities, attracting major equestrian competitions throughout the year. 

Lynne Harrison, Equine Commercial and Events Coordinator at Bishop Burton College, said: "Hosting the Bishop Burton International and British Eventing Festival of Youth reflects everything that Bishop Burton College stands for – excellence, opportunity and a passion for supporting the future of the equestrian industry. 

“We're incredibly proud to welcome Britain's best young riders to our campus for what promises to be an outstanding week of competition. The Festival of Youth has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the youth eventing calendar, and we're delighted to provide a venue that enables riders to perform at their very best while welcoming visitors from across the UK to experience everything Bishop Burton has to offer." 

The event also highlights the strength of the College's long-standing partnerships with British Eventing and leading industry organisations, reinforcing Bishop Burton's position at the heart of the UK's equestrian community and its commitment to supporting the sport at every level. 

For Bishop Burton College students, the event provides an opportunity to gain practical experience by supporting the delivery of a major national sporting event and working alongside experienced equestrian professionals. 

Dusty Corner, Head of Equine at Bishop Burton College, said: “The Festival of Youth is a fantastic celebration of young talent and an opportunity for riders to compete against the very best in their age groups. We're proud to host an event that not only showcases exceptional sporting ability but also reflects the strong sense of community, sportsmanship and passion that defines British Eventing.” 

Darrell Scaife, Head of Youth at British Eventing said: “The idea behind the inaugural Festival of Youth was to bring young people in eventing together to celebrate the sport they love, providing an opportunity to compete, learn from one another, share experiences and enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves. While the competition will undoubtedly be fiercely contested, what I hope will make the Festival so special is the sense of community it creates and the opportunity for young riders, coaches, owners, officials and families to come together in celebration of youth eventing. These are the experiences that help shape not only better athletes, but better custodians of the horse. 

“My sincere thanks go to Bishop Burton and their outstanding team for the tremendous amount of work that has gone into delivering this inaugural Festival of Youth. I would also like to thank the Event Horse Owners Association for their continued support through the provision of training vouchers, helping young riders continue their development long after the competition has finished. 

“Finally, a huge thank you to our eight Youth Regional Coordinators, who work tirelessly throughout the year to promote and develop eventing within their regions, and to our eight Lead Regional Coaches, who will be on site throughout the week supporting, encouraging and cheering on riders from every corner of the country. Their passion and commitment are central to the success of our youth programme, and I know they will play a huge part in making this first Festival of Youth such a memorable occasion.” 

The Bishop Burton International and British Eventing Festival of Youth takes place this weekend at Bishop Burton College, welcoming competitors and spectators from across the country for five days of elite competition and celebration. 

For further information and spectator details, visit the Bishop Burton College website  

International and Festival of Youth 2026 | Bishop Burton College