An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at 2026 Belsay International Horse Trials – order or view videos here
This year’s Belsay Horse Trials (15-17 May) will be a true celebration of the event’s home county of Northumberland.
Belsay Horse Trials, which made a hugely successful step up to CCI4* level in 2025, is an extravaganza of world-class equestrian sport, and very well supported by Northumbrian brands, businesses and visitors alike.
New for 2026 is the Northumbrian Larder, showcasing the best local food, drink and crafts from the region and sponsored by Turnbulls Northumbrian Food. Visitors will be able to graze and browse their way through Northumberland, discovering artisan makers, local producers, seasonal flavours, handcrafted goods and irresistible local treats.
Family Fun at Belsay Horse Trials, supported by Brocksbushes Farm Shop, includes the brand-new Family Fun Trail - a great adventure through the showground leading you to the family fun zone at Belsay Castle, which includes access to the English Heritage Wild Man adventure playground. There will also be archery, hosted by the Border Reivers, a hobby horse arena sponsored by Newcastle Racecourse, a fun fair and the Belsay Bark dog show.
Northumberland’s leading five-star hotel, Matfen Hall, is again partnering with Belsay to offer Belsay Horse Trials guests special deals on accommodation, and this year will be providing a minibus to take them to the event each day. Matfen Hall is also, alongside Lycetts, Ad Gefrin Distillery - the most northern distillery in England - and Michelin-starred Pine restaurant, helping Belsay Horse Trials expand its popular hospitality facilities this year.
Belsay Horse Trials is also blessed with sponsors which have Northumbrian roots - title sponsor Barbour, CCI4*-S sponsor Houghton Country, Womble Bond Dickinson, NIS Ltd, Ryecroft Glenton, Galbraiths and Chaser Communications, among others. Appropriately, Gosforth firm Travel Bureau are supporting the cross-country start box for 2026! Makin Air and Makins Soft Fruit are sponsoring the Picnic Parking.
Organiser Laura de Wesselow said: “Northumberland is the most wonderful county, with spectacular scenery, so much history and so many fantastic local businesses and producers. We are really proud that Belsay is northern England’s premier equestrian event, and we see this as a great opportunity to promote our home county.”
Alongside international classes at CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S and CCI1* level, Belsay is running British Eventing national classes from Advanced to BE105. The event also features Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers, and a multitude of competition opportunities for local grassroots riders, including showjumping and arena eventing classes, BSPS showing and the ever-popular inter-hunt relay.
Advanced booking prices mean that entry costs from £12.50 for an adult and £8 for a child aged six-16 - children aged five and under are free - and season admission (Thursday, 14 May-Sunday, 17 May) costs £36 per adult and £22.50 per child aged six-16.
New for 2026 is Membership, which includes event entry, forward parking, programme and entrance to the Members’ Marquee, and also Picnic Parking, offering excellent views of the international cross-country courses with the stunning backdrop of Belsay Castle. Early-bird prices end on 31 January 2026. Camping and glamping are available in the grounds of the Belsay estate.
