Eventing in Surrey
British Eventing (BE) is the governing body for the sport of eventing – also known as horse trials – in Great Britain. The sport combines three disciplines (dressage, cross-country and show jumping) into a single competition, testing the all-round ability of horse and rider. Surrey hosts several BE-affiliated events each year at venues including Swalcliffe, Munstead and Priory Farm, with classes ranging from BE80 (introductory) to Advanced level.
Eventing has deep roots in Surrey’s equestrian culture. The county’s varied terrain – rolling downland, sandy heathland and heavy clay – provides ideal ground for cross-country courses, and local riders regularly compete at national and international level. Many of the county’s riding schools and livery yards actively support eventing, offering cross-country schooling and dressage coaching to prepare horse-and-rider combinations for competition.
Getting Involved
BE events are open to any rider with a registered horse, and the organisation runs a clear pathway from introductory grassroots classes up to international four-star competitions. For spectators, events are typically free to attend and offer an enjoyable day out watching horses tackle cross-country courses in attractive countryside settings. The BE website lists all fixtures, and the Surrey area falls within the BE South East region. Local riding clubs and Pony Club branches also run their own unaffiliated horse trials, providing additional opportunities for newcomers to try the sport.
