Pocket Guide
Equestrian Yorkshire A celebration of everything equestrian in Yorkshire
Welcome to Yorkshire... England’s biggest and most glorious county Welcome to Yorkshire. Britain’s biggest and most beautiful county. From golden beaches to vibrant cities to national parks, Yorkshire has something for everyone. Yorkshire’s rich rural landscape provides the perfect home for equestrian events with our magnificent rolling hills, North York Moors and glorious Yorkshire Dales.
and national museums peppered throughout the county. The list really is endless. Come and see for yourself - you’ll definitely find that a long weekend in Yorkshire really isn’t long enough.
Britain’s first seaside resort Scarborough is not just a favourite for families but also with surfers as well as theatregoers with the Welcome to Yorkshire Open Air Theatre. There’s the historic city of York, the spa town of glorious Peak District and the chic city of Leeds, not to mention the country pubs, rural retreats, spas
Yorkshire is steeped in equestrian history, with some of the best showjumpers, jockeys, riders, trainers and stables in the world. Consistently almost half of the top 20 British showjumpers hail from or live in Yorkshire, also home to household names such as Ronnie Massarella OBE, Harvey Smith and John Whitaker MBE who is endorsing a brand new equestrian event in Yorkshire. The county is thrilled to host the first ever Yorkshire International Showjumping Event (YISE) at every Easter for the next three years. This exciting new event will see riders compete for a £150,000 prize pot from amateur championships through to top international classes. The YISE is the latest world-class event to be backed by Welcome to Yorkshire in a bid to bring more visitors into the county. There is the prestigious Welcome to Yorkshire Bramham International Horse Trials which is a CCI*** three-day event and includes the ultimate challenge of horsemanship – performing dressage, cross-country and showjumping in one competition as well as hunter classes and young stock showing classes. The county has strong horse racing links with the two North Yorkshire market towns of Malton and Middleham often referred to as the ‘Newmarkets of the North’. We are proud that Yorkshire is home to the oldest classic horse race in the world, Doncaster’s St Leger and we are honoured to be the first title sponsors of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York in its
167 year history, not to mention the seven other racecourses, which are attractions in their own right. With that pedigree, it is no surprise Yorkshire has produced so many racing champions. From Derby winning Eddie Hide who rode 2,593 winners in a lifelong career, to Mark Johnston’s historic achievement of training 200 winners in a season for the second year running and Paul Hanagan winning the champion jockey title. All put Yorkshire and its racing on the map. Whether it’s pony trekking on the beaches or the moors, or training the winners of tomorrow at the Northern Racing School, Yorkshire has the facilities for novice and expert alike. For those who just fancy a flutter, Yorkshire’s racing festivals attracted over 200,000 people this year and there are high hopes for more in 2011. Likewise at the Great Yorkshire Show, another key fixture in the equestrian calendar. More than 131,000 visitors flock through its gates in Harrogate to watch the 1,800 horses and ponies entered compete for the Ripon Select Foods Cock O’the North championship, the ultimate goal in the showjumping section. And it doesn’t end here. From racing to riding, Yorkshire has a wealth of riding schools registered with the British Horse Society geared up to groom the next generation of international superstars.
Yorkshire is only too proud to showcase home grown talent. Hosting high calibre events is the perfect platform to show
And there is so much more. Foodies can enjoy fine wines, local ales and fabulous local produce as well as any of our six Michelin-starred restaurants – more than any county outside London.
We’re proud to be involved...
For further information go to yorkshire.com/equestrian
Gary Verity Chief Executive Welcome to Yorkshire
ABOVE IMAGES: York races. Yorkshire-born show jumper Ellen Whitaker. Showjumping at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Racing in Yorkshire Be part of the racing excitement this summer. Whether you are a seasoned punter or a novice looking for a first flutter, Yorkshire’s historic racecourses provide a perfect summer’s day out in what is arguably the UK’s most beautiful and dramatic countryside. You don’t have to be a horse racing enthusiast to enjoy a day at the races. Whether it’s to celebrate a special occasion, or a family day out or just friends looking for fun – pack a picnic, pick a horse and sit back and enjoy the supercharged atmosphere of horseracing as (hopefully!) your horse thunders over the finish line in first place.
Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival
16th – 24th July Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival has nine race meetings hosted by Ripon, Redcar, Beverley, Catterick, Doncaster, Thirsk and Pontefract, with a two day meet at York. Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 17th – 20th August Sure to be a festival of sporting excellence, combined with fashion and fun over four fabulous days at York racecourse.
The action on the track sees the richest race of the York year, the £650,000 Juddmonte International, a contest ranked in the top three contests in the world.
Yorkshire has 9 racecourses: Beverley, Catterick, Doncaster, Pontefract, Redcar, Ripon, Thirsk, Wetherby and York. For more information go to yorkshire.com/equestrian
St Leger Festival 7th – 10th September The St. Leger Festival is the highlight of the year at Doncaster Racecourse and one of the most important festivals in British Racing. Every September the St. Leger is celebrated with four days of celebrations at Doncaster Racecourse.
Many informed observers consider the first day of the Festival to be their favourite race day of the year in Britain.
IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ripon races. Ladies Day at the races. Crowds at York racecourse.
Nine inspirational ways to get to know orkshire ideas for every visitor. Whether you’re a culture vulture, serial shopper, party person or beachmad family you’ll find it all in Yorkshire. City Life Yorkshire cities such as Leeds café culture to clubs, brasseries to ballet and gardens to galleries. You will find some of the best shopping opportunities around from Harvey Nichols to the famous historic Leeds market and you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Have an indulgent visit to Yorkshire and treat yourself to something special, unusual or downright decadent. Spend an afternoon in the historic Harrogate Turkish Baths followed by a night at a gorgeous country house hotel and dinner at one of Yorkshire’s five Michelin-starred restaurants.
Artistic Yorkshire art comprises renowned theatre companies, ballet, classical music and modern galleries. Combine the visual delights of Yorkshire’s landscape with the best of outdoor sculpture and visit the world renowned Yorkshire Sculpture Park or visit the famous David Hockney exhibition at Salts Mill in Saltaire.
Heritage Yorkshire’s heritage includes magnificent ruins and imposing castles. The world famous York Minster towers over the historic city and you can visit Jorvik and experience Viking life! Imagine life as Lord and Lady of the Manor and discover Yorkshire’s many stately homes such as Castle Howard.
There’s fun for all the family in Yorkshire. Why not step back in time and hop aboard one of our steam trains. Whether it’s the great outdoors, hands-on museums, the adrenalin rush of high ropes and zip wires, bike trails or just having fun on the beach, Yorkshire is perfect for families.
Delicious Yorkshire’s famed food and drink can be found in abundant quality across the county’s numerous markets, farm shops and restaurants. From Michelin to madras, rhubarb to real ale, cheese to Schrager, Yorkshire is simply delicious!
The Great Outdoors Yorkshire is famous for its countryside – the rolling hills, moors and dales. The National Parks of the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the Peak District are perfect for walking holidays and the stunning coastline has some of the most popular seaside resorts in the UK.
Indulgence
Family Fun
Sport Yorkshire is passionate about cricket and is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club – throughout the summer you can watch Yorkshire cricketers in action. Yorkshire is equally proud of its football and rugby teams and throughout the winter months you can watch some of the best teams in Europe take to the field around the county.
Events and Festivals Yorkshire events cover a multitude of themes. For festivals, there is food and drink in the Dales and York, National Ales in Masham and of course many farmers’ markets. Music festivals cover everything from Early Music (Beverley) to rock at the Leeds Festival.
IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The Headrow at night, Leeds. Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire. Salts Mill, Saltaire. Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Leeds Carnival. Limestone pavements, Malham, North Yorkshire. Cakes at Betty’s.
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Beach Riding
WHITBY
includes Robin Hood’s Bay, Fraisthorpe Beach, Bridlington and Spurn Peninsular.
RICHMOND 14
SEDBERGH
LEYBURN A684
MASHAM
YORKSHIRE DALES
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HELMSLEY
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SCARBOROUGH
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RIPON SETTLE
NORTH YORK MOORS
NORTHALLERTON
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BRIDLINGTON
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SKIPTON
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KEY
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Motorways
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LEEDS
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BRADFORD
YORK
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SALTAIRE
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A1079
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BEVERLEY
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A164 A63
HALIFAX
HULL
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A Roads 10
Rail Routes
WAKEFIELD
HUDDERSFIELD
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BARNSLEY
Airports
SCUNTHORPE
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GRIMSBY
CLEETHORPES
DONCASTER
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PEAK ROTHERHAM DISTRICT
Heritage Coasts Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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National Parks Ferryport
Equestrian Attractions
Racecourses Map Ref
Yorkshire International Showjumping Event Great Yorkshire Show
Map Ref
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Beverley
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Catterick
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Welcome to Yorkshire Bramham International Horse Trials
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Bilsdale Riding Centre
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Truewell Hall Riding Centre
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Kilnsey Trekking & Riding Centre
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The Settle Loop Bridleway
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Newtondale Horse Trail
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The Pennine Bridleway National Trail
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The National Coal Mining Museum for England
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Bradford Industrial Museum & Horse at Work
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Staintondale Shire Horse Farm
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Doncaster
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Pontefract
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Redcar
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Ripon
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Thirsk
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Wetherby
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York
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How to get here...
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Whichever part of Britain you’re coming from, getting to Yorkshire couldn’t be easier – and the journey takes you through some of our most stunning scenery on the way.
YORKSHIRE BY RAIL
YORKSHIRE BY ROAD
You can get to Yorkshire by high-speed train from London or Edinburgh in less than two hours with Grand Central and East Coast services. The Midlands is even nearer to Yorkshire’s cities, and TransPennine services
Britain’s biggest and fastest highways cross Yorkshire from north to south and east to west, making getting here by car or with horse transport very simple indeed. For details of the quickest (or the most scenic) driving routes see he AA or RAC websites www.theaa.com and www.rac.co.uk
YORKSHIRE BY AIR Leeds-Bradford International Airport is our busiest air gateway, with flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, London Gatwick, Newquay, Plymouth and Southampton. You can also fly to Humberside Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.
YORKSHIRE BY SEA
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Ferry services to Hull and Newcastle conveniently link Yorkshire with Holland, Belgium and Germany. P&O Ferries operate overnight services to Hull from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.
For more travel information go to yorkshire.com
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The big events in Equestrian Yorkshire Yorkshire International Showjumping Event 22nd – 24th April 2011
The inaugural Yorkshire International Showjumping Event Motorpoint Area this Easter. Supported by Welcome to Yorkshire the event will see top world ranking riders compete for a £150,000 prize pot. With an anticipated audience of 21,000 the three day CSI*** international competition is set to be an unmissable event in the 2011 calendar.
Welcome to Yorkshire Bramham International Horse Trials 2nd – 5th June 2011
This annual event is both an equestrian sporting event and a social event. The stunning location of Bramham Park has hosted this prestigious CCI*** three day event since 1974. Bramham Park has been the family home of the Lane Fox family for the past 300 years and the family are actively involved in making the horse trials one of the most popular and successful events in the country.
IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Action at Bramham. John Whitaker on Sultano. Great Yorkshire Show. Pony trekking.
Equestrian breaks For complete beginners or those that already have some riding skills under their belt, there’s no finer way to discover the county than on horseback. There are a whole host of companies operating dedicated horse related holidays in Yorkshire which are hugely popular. Bilsdale Riding Centre Hawnby, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5LT Tel: 01439 798225 Come to Bilsdale Riding Centre and enjoy an Equestrian Holiday. This idyllic setting is overwhelming in its natural beauty. Bilsdale Riding Centre is surrounded by a large network of bridlepaths and green lanes, riding is over vast expanses of moorland, forestry and farmland. IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Kilnsey Crag. Bolton Abbey. Helmsley Castle.
Truewell Hall Riding Centre Holme House Lane, Oakworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD22 0QX Tel: 01535 603292 Truewell Hall Riding Centre is situated in the very heart of Bronte Country, only a short distance from the historic village of Haworth, with excellent hacking and links to the bridleway network. Truewell Hall Riding Centre can provide you and your horse with excellent facilities in the most beautiful surroundings.
Museums and bridleways Here are a few of the fantastic bridle trails and museums across Yorkshire open to the public. The Pennine Bridleway National Trail This is an exciting trail which provides a fresh challenge for and walkers. Threading through the Pennine Hills, it combines historic packhorse routes with specially created paths. An area of all year round stunning beauty and tranquillity, the Pennine Hills are accessible and a great way of getting closer to nature.
The Settle Loop The first part of the Pennine Bridleway to be opened in the Yorkshire Dales and consist of a 16km (10 mile) bridleway and cycle track that runs in a circuit across a section of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, amongst beautiful limestone scenery. Newtondale Horse Trail The North York Moors National Park Authority has established a 35 ½ mile circular route for horse riders through the dramatic gorge of Newtondale. It is a
The magnificent house provides the backdrop for the main arena activities and the cross country course is set in the glorious and historic parkland.
Great Yorkshire Show 12th – 14th July 2011
This annual event attracts the best of the county’s farming heritage along with fabulous food and fun
activities. The Cock O’the North Showjumping Championship is the most prestigious show jumping competition within the Great Yorkshire Show. It attracts international names from the equestrian world and never fails to provide a superb climax to three days of excitement through the qualifying classes.
To find out more go to www.yorkshire.com/equestrian
Kilnsey Trekking & Riding Centre Conistone with Kilnsey, nr Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 5HS Tel: 01756 752861 Pony trekking, horse riding lessons and horse riding holidays in the North Yorkshire Dales. Kilnsey Trekking and Riding Centre is a family run riding horse riding lessons and horse riding holidays from riding stables located in the North Yorkshire Dales National Park near to Skipton, Malham, Bolton Abbey and Harrogate.
Boltby Trekking and Trail Riding Centre Johnstone Arms Boltby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 2DY Tel: 01845 537392 Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner Boltby Trekking and Riding Centre have horses and ponies to suit all ages and abilities. If you’ve never ridden before then it’s a great place to have a go at trekking. The trekking farm is a situated on the edge of North York Moors National Park.
To find out more go to www.yorkshire.com/equestrian
two or three day ride and ideal for anyone with their own horse. The National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield This is where the history and science of mining comes to life. Travel 140 metres underground with an experienced guide, then use the interactive galleries to find out what life was really like for miners. Visit Hope Pit, the adventure playground and nature trail. The Museum is also home to a retired pit pony, Patch, two rescued ponies, Eric and Ernie and Finn a Clydesdale horse. To find out more go to www.yorkshire.com/equestrian
Bradford Industrial Museum & Horses at Work Bradford Industrial Museum, built in 1875 and the original spinning mill, is alive with magnificent machinery which once converted raw wool into the world’s worsted cloth. It is the home of the ‘Horses at Work’ and the mill yards ring to the sound of iron on stone. Staintondale Shire Horse Farm A farm set in 40 acres of idyllic coastline enjoyed by people of all ages. Visitors can enjoy live shows with horses and ponies as well as the Shires. Farm walks, a cottage musuem with smuggling history, cinema, picnic and play areas and much more.
For more information, go to
yorkshire.com