If you’re lucky enough to live in this beautiful county in the south west, you’ll have access to some fantastic horse shows in Devon at great venues, which attract some of the country’s best riders and grass roots competitors alike. Whatever your ability or discipline, there is sure to be a show or competition to suit you.
Horse show venues in Devon
Devon is home to Bicton Arena, a major equestrian competition venue for riders in the south west. If you’re looking for horse shows in this area, then this is a centre that you should definitely check out. Home to three British eventing competitions, ranging from BE(80)T up to intermediate level, Bicton also holds affiliated dressage and showjumping alongside unaffiliated competitions, clinics, training days and camps. As well as its cross-country courses, Bicton has two all-weather arenas, a grass showjumping arena and a further five competition rings, enabling it to host for a wide range of competitions.
Also on the Clinton Estate is Bicton College, which has equestrian facilities including a 20m x 60m indoor arena with geltrack surface, gallery seating for 150 people, state of the art teaching rooms, two allocated judging areas and staff offices/reception area. From here, the college runs a varied programme of affiliated and unaffiliated events for the aspiring rider including British Dressage, unaffiliated dressage, clear round and unaffiliated showjumping, as well as training days and clinics.
Another great venue nearby is Centyfield Eventing and Dressage Academy.
Devon County Show, held at the county showground at West Point, Clyst St Mary in Exeter, is a great horse show as well as showcasing the best in the county’s farming and agricultural skills and produce. If you’re interested in showing, there are a huge range of classes to choose from – everything from working hunter to young handler to arabs and ladies sidesaddle classes. The show takes place in May and is extremely well-attended – a good day out for everyone.
Mullacott Event Centre, in Ilfracombe, North Devon, is the latest arrival on the Devon equestrian event scene. Opened by Lucinda Green in September 2014, this is the newest competition venue in Devon. A brand new, huge purpose-built single-span indoor arena provides over 15,000 sq ft (1,350 sq metres) of open space. It is 150ft (45m) long by 100ft (30m) wide, making Mullacott one of the largest indoor equestrian competition venues in the south west. Focusing on unaffiliated events, the equestrian centre runs a range of qualifiers for regional and national competitions, offering local grass roots riders access to national equestrian qualifiers on their doorstep!
Do you have a show centre in Devon that you would like to be included on this page? Contact us at equo.events@timeinc.com