Austin O’Connor with COLORADO BLUE
2nd in the Bede Events CCI4*S Grantham Cup at Thoresby Park 2024. © irish Eventing Times
Thoresby Park’s Eventing Spring Carnival marks the start of the UK’s international eventing calendar, with a three-day celebration of world-class eventing.
The Nottinghamshire event takes place from 28 – 30th March and expects to welcome the world’s best for the first FEI classes on home soil, for the 2025 season.
Following positive feedback, the timetable will once again follow the same format, as 2024, with the CCI2*-S running on Friday, followed by the feature CCI4*-S on Saturday and concluding with the CCI3*-S on Sunday.
The Lycetts Grantham Cup competition – the crown jewel of the Carnival – will play a crucial role for many in their preparations for the Spring CCI5*’s and offers riders and horses aiming for selection for this year’s European Championship the first opportunity to impress selectors.
Courses for this year will be reversed, bringing a fresh feel to the cross-country courses across all international and national levels.
For 2025 the international showjumping will move back to its original location in the Thoresby Lawn’s main arena, with a programme of groundwork having been undertaken to support the decision. The national showjumping will also move to the main event site and utilise the area that hosted the international showjumping last season.
“We’re once again looking forward to returning to Thoresby for the first big event of the season. The BEDE team have been busy over the Winter developing new cross-country features, ground improvements and site layout plans. All with the aim of bringing a range of improvements to the event for this year and for seasons to come.
We’re committed to providing good ground and facilities, and as such will be accepting a slightly lower number of national entries than in previous years. We’d therefore very much encourage competitors to get their entries in prior to ballot date.”
Sunday, March 30, coincides with Mother’s Day and the Spring Carnival will play host to The Great Thoresby Mother’s Day Treasure Hunt that offers families and friends a fun filled outdoor activity with a chance to win a holiday package worth over £2,000! But that’s not all, take the pressure off and let Thoresby’s hospitality team take care of you with a Mother’s Day afternoon tea, starting at just £14.
Families also win big on Sunday: a Sunday Family Fun Bundle, including two adult admission tickets, car parking, and two Treasure Hunt tickets is just £35 – and every day at Thoresby, kids go free.
New for 2025 is the “Eventing Geek Bundle” – giving season admission for 2, plus tickets to the exclusive showjumping cross-country course walks for the CCI4*, for £120, saving £50 on gate prices.
For those looking at add an extra touch of luxury to their visit Members passes are available, in addition to exclusive showjumping and cross-country course walks, guided by one of the stars of the sport.
Early bird pricing is available until 28th February with tickets available at https://thoresby-horse.co.uk and starting at just £10.
