Competitive riders have access to some popular horse shows in Essex, thanks to some great venues. Whatever your choice of discipline, and no matter what your level of experience and ability, there is sure to be a range of horse shows to suit you in Essex.
Horse show venues in Essex
Brook Farm Equestrian Club is a training and livery yard in Stapleford Abbots, Essex. With first class facilities including a 85×75 outdoor arena, 50×30 indoor school with wax track surface and 20×60 outdoor school, it’s a sought-after competition centre. It holds monthly affiliated British Dressage shows with classes starting from preliminary and going up to advanced medium, plus Sheepgate qualifiers and Hickstead Masters points league. It also hosts unaffiliated dressage events and qualifiers, including a Brook Farm Championship show with qualifiers held monthly from January until the end of the year. It’s approved as a show centre by the BSJA, hosting a range of affiliated Junior and Senior shows. Affiliated and unaffiliated showing events are also on the calendar.
Fans of the growing sport JumpCross have a natural home in Codham Park Equestrian Centre, near Braintree – its events include JumpCross training days, JumpCross competitions and Show JumpCross, as well as British Showjumping affiliated and unaffiliated competitions, showing and dressage events.
Dressage fans in Essex should check out Bluegate Hall Dressage, in Saffron Walden, Essex, offers regular affiliated and unaffiliated dressage competitions, including Hickstead qualifiers. The many flattering comments on its website suggest that its competitions are well-organised, well-attended and very much enjoyed by attendees.
Stanford Rivers cross-country course is a well-maintained and designed course with jumps up to novice level, which is available for hire for competitions. The course is 2.5 miles long over 40 acres, and is used for one-day events, TREC, and hunter trials. There’s also an outdoor arena available for hire, with or without showjumps.
The only British Eventing venue in the county is Stratford Hills near Colchester, which hosts classes from BE80(T) up to novice. This typically takes place in June.
The Orsett Show also offers showing competitors a chance to compete their horses. Held annually in September, this popular family show showcases local agricultural and country pursuits.
Do you have a show centre in Essex that you would like to be included on this page? Contact us at equo.events@timeinc.com