British Equestrian Event 2007

The Sun Shines for the Stars and the Students at Wiltshire College Lackham

Wiltshire College Lackham‘s annual BE event has again attracted big name competitors and thousands of spectators over the two-day dressage, show jumping and cross country competition.

Olympic riders William Fox-Pitt and Daisy Dick were two of the most well known eventers who joined competitors from 11 different countries from as far a field as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Russia.

Over 2,000 people were present at the event including the British Eventing (BE) President and Chairman Jane Holderness Roddam and Alex Fox respectively, as well as renowned riders Lucinda Green and Louise Skelton.

The Introductory and Pre-novice standard horse trials are an excellent stepping stone for event riders and horses of the future. Guest Harry Mead, who had recently been around Badminton for the first time, said: “I am very happy to bring young horses to this event, it is an ideal course for them to gain experience ready for moving on to the next stage.”

William Fox-Pitt concurred and heaped praise on the event: “Myself and my owners were very impressed with the whole layout and organisation, the stewards and hospitality team were most friendly, the layout worked well and the cross country course was very educational for up and coming riders – see you next year.”

The Head of Division for Equine Studies at Wiltshire College Lackham, Philip Grant built on the success of last year’s show and involved his students even more: “By tasking our students with the organisation of events, such as the horse trials, they learn a great deal more and as a result are much better prepared for the outside world.”

The BTEC National Certificate in Horse Management students have managed and delivered the project, spending the last 10 months organising, planning and preparing for every eventuality. Second year student Jon Tyldesley said: “It’s this kind of experience that prepares us for real jobs in the industry and also helps us to actually get the jobs.”

As well as Equine students, the event involved a number of students from across the College. Catering students made and served locally produced food in the hospitality marquee, whilst Horticulture and Floristry students produced and maintained the beautiful floral displays. The most prominent display was the wicker horse figurine in the show jumping arena, which took six students a total of 15 hours to produce. 

The sponsors for the event were Mitsubishi Motors who provided 10 brand new Mitsubishi Shogun vehicles from their dealership based nearby in Melksham. The vehicles were a great hit with the stewards and officials, who were loath to part with them after the event.