We are underway with the 2026 Defender Bramham CCI4*-L, where all presented CCI4*-L horses have passed a very **festive** First Horse Inspection presided over by Ground Jury President Christina Klingspor (SWE) as well as Andrew Bennie (NZL) and Les Smith (GBR). The action for one of Britain’s premier CCI4*-L events gets underway in earnest on Thursday with dressage over two days. A bursting field of CCI4* horses are ready for action across both the Long and Short divisions, with several U.S. and Canadian riders also featuring on each entry list.
Horse & Country will carry the live stream for all phases of competition, and you can view the full schedule/tune in with your subscription here. Here’s a look at the schedule, which is of course subject to adjustment:
Thursday, June 11
- 8:30 am BST / 3:30 am EST: CCI4*-S Dressage
- 10:50 am BST / 5:50 am EST: CCI4*-L Dressage
Friday, June 12
- 8:30 am BST / 3:30 am EST: CCI4*-S Dressage
- 10:50 am BST / 5:50 am BST: CCI4*-L Dressage
Saturday, June 13
- 8:00 am BST / 3:00 am EST: CCI4*-S Show Jumping
- 9:00 am BST / 4:00 am EST: CCI4*-L Cross Country
- 12:30 pm BST / 7:30 am EST: CCI4*-S Cross Country
Sunday, June 14
- 9:00 am BST / 4:00 am EST: CCI4*-L Second Horse Inspection
- 12:00 pm BST / 7:00 am EST: CCI4*-L Show Jumping
In terms of the field, Defender Bramham is well-known as a launching pad for many a future CCI5* or Championship horse. Cross country courses designed by Andrew Heffernan (NED) and show jumping courses designed by Jason Abbs (GBR) serve to present a strong challenge for competitors in both divisions, and with World Championships team selection looming it’s an all-important week for those hoping to secure a berth for their country.
2025 CCI4*-L champion Bubby Upton returns for a defense of her title with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding It’s Cooley Time. Top-ranked pairs such as Tom McEwen with the exciting 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding Quintus, experienced 5* pair Selena Milnes and Cooley Snapchat, Piggy March and the sharply talented MCS Maverick, 2024 MARS Badminton winners Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier, and reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham with two rides (Gypsie du Loir — winner of the Bramham CCI4*-S in 2025 — and Goliath du Loir) all feature on the stacked entry list. For the North Americans, we’ll see Allie Knowles come forward with two of her newest 4* horses, Leo Santos and Montpelier Scais, joined by British-based American Tiana Coudray with D’Artagnan.
The CCI4*-S features an equally competitive field with several pairs with a real shot for World Championships selection. Most of our North American pairs are entered here, including:
- Molly Duda and Disco Traveler, Carlingsford Hes a Clover and Jutopia
- Tamie Smith and Lillet 3
- Rebecca Brown and Fernhill Quite Frankly
- Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover
- Cosby Green and Highly Suspicious
- Hallie Coon and ESI Baltic Breeze and Sirius SB
- Cassie Sanger and Redfield Fyre
- Grace Taylor and Bandito van Polderzicht
- Canadian rider Shelby Brost and Espoir de la Sienne
The 4*-S list also features well-known pairs such as Tom McEwen and JL Dublin, Kirsty Chabert with Classic VI, Harry Meade with former Tim Price ride Viscount Viktor, Gemma Stevens with the Chilli Morning clone Chilli Morning IV, Jonelle Price with Senor Crocodillo, Alice Casburn and Topspin, Jesse Campbell and Speedwell, and many others.
You can view full entry lists and ride times here. We’ll be back with you throughout the week with more from Bramham, so keep an eye out here and also on the Defender Bramham website for the latest. You can also follow Bramham on Facebook and Instagram for more content from on the ground.
Bramham International CCI4*-L (GBR): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
