There are 59 racecourses in Great Britain and around 1250 fixtures held each year spanning the months of March to December with a total economic impact of British Racing in excess of £4bn. If you brought a passion for the ponies with you from home, or are a one-off visitor to the track Ladies Day, Music Night, and Family Day schedules affords everyone the opportunity to witness the prowess of the jockeys and if so inclined, experience the thrill of betting. Major events draw large crowds with socialising and fashion spotting as much on the mind as jumping, sprinting, and race cards. Chester is the oldest racecourse in Britain and has organised racing events since Roman times. Its largest meeting of the season, The Boodles May Festival known as The Roodee stages trials for colts and fillies on their way to greatness and the famous Chester Cup fascinates spectators with a thundering two and one quarter miles around the track. Travel with crowds of over 20,000 to descend on the two-day Scottish Grand National Festival at Ayr to watch the country’s top long distance chasers compete or converge on the spot regularly voted one of Britain’s top racing venues, Sandown Park, which hosts the finale of the jumping season. Ascot offers horse racing at its finest steeped in over 300 years of heritage and tradition with Royal Ascot in June serving as the centerpiece of many British social calendars and destination to spectators from around the world. The Queen herself, as lover, owner and breeder of racehorses, takes a keen interest in the races having attended every Royal Meeting during her reign. The Royal Procession welcomes the start of every race day and traditionally she presents the Gold Cup and The Diamond Jubilee Stakes. The Gold Cup is the busiest of the five day celebration, featured on the third day and affectionately deemed “Ladies Day”. Trophies for each of these occasions are uniquely designed each year and presented to the winners to keep. Royal Ascot is a magical exhibition of fashion, colour and panache, with a strict dress code interspersed with six top-class races. It has become famed for the millinery that race-goers wear to attend. Ladies Day promised a show of some of the most extravagant creations with hats that claim rare feathers, sculptures, fresh flowers and fruit. Style rides high at The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival Ladies Day at Aintree as well. A three day extravaganza packed with racing day action and followed by live entertainment. Televised to the world, over 600 million will be watching from home. Seize the opportunity to see it in person.
Chesterton’s Polo in the Park, the largest polo tournament in Europe, takes place in Hurlington Park, Fulham in early June and appeals to those savvy enough to know what a chukka is, and others looking for yet another excuse to party. The rumble of the earth, the sound of the mallet smacking the ball, and the obvious power of the horses, draws crowds to a fast and furious polo format over a three day event featuring International Friday, Ladies Day, and Family Finals Day. Eat, drink, and shop your way through the event with a ticket to the grounds that includes Grandstand seating, Champagne Lanson Garden, Mahiki Bar, Polo Bar and Garden, PIMM’s Bus and Garden, Fentimans Botanical Bar and Garden, Street Food Market, Luxury Shopping Village and Kids Club. Pitch Invasion offered on Family Finals Day only, is a unique party for children kicked off with champagne for the parents. You’re sure to enjoy great music, endless entertainment and enticing food selections at this event of the season.
Perhaps you’re less a spectator and more into sport. If that is the case, Britain offers riding courses and training centres where you can ride, learn to ride, improve your skills or adopt a new discipline. Hyde Park Stables provides riders with both group and private rides and lessons year round on five miles of bridleways and in two outdoor arenas designed for dressage, riding, and jumping for children. Access individual and group lessons for the beginner to the experienced adult, jumping clinics and dressage league at Vauxhall City Farm convenient to the City of London. Weather is never an issue when using Colgrain Equestrian Centre’s indoor arena in Scotland, age is not an issue at Gleneagles Equestrian School where bespoke lessons are available for all ages starting at age 3 and upwards, and ability is of no consequence with Mount Mascal Stables “Horsemanship for All” motto. They take adult or child beginners, rusty returners or accomplished horseman. There are 1.3 million people in the UK who ride, the majority of which happen to be female (74%). The British Horse Society is the UK’s largest and most influential equestrian charity designed to protect their interests and is a valuable source of information if horses and riding are your passion.
Further information: www.bhs.org.uk
Article by Kimberly Mueller; Image: Grazing Horse, Dreamstime - Copyright Lidian Neeleman