The 2026 eventing season is officially underway with the commencement of the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The prestigious event, which runs until May 31, is hosting the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ and has attracted a strong field of international competitors, alongside established and emerging British riders.
Caras Claims Early Lead in CCI4*-S
In the TopSpec CCI4*-S, American rider Jennifer Caras made a commanding start, taking the early lead with her mount Sommersby. The pair posted a score of 31.3 after the dressage phase. Caras expressed her satisfaction with the performance, stating, "I was really happy with Sommersby. There are obviously always areas we can improve on, but I was happy with the consistency and that's the first time I have done that test. To put it all together and have him behave so well in the atmosphere was really good. We're looking forward to the rest of the weekend and being back here at Bicton for the third year."
Caras's victory at the Burnham Market International Horse Trials in Norfolk recently made her the first American rider to win an international class at that event. Following closely behind Caras in the CCI4*-S standings are Tom Rowland with Quintilius in second place on 31.9, and Alexandra Knowles with Leo Santos in third on 34.5.
Strong Competition in Lower-Level Classes
The Empire Coachbuilders CCI3*-L also saw a competitive opening day, with the top six combinations finishing on scores below 30 penalties. Cassie Sanger and MT Luxaan lead this class after the dressage phase with a score of 25.8. Laura Collett, a prominent figure in eventing, holds second place with Cooley Iceage (known as Diego at home) on 26.4, closely followed by Bubby Upton and Guinduno in third on 26.5.
New for 2026, the Renaissance Care CCIJ2*-L class aims to foster young talent, offering a high-quality international environment for developing riders and horses. Ella Howard, who is currently leading the Junior Rankings, delivered the best dressage test of the day in this class with Delauney, scoring 26.6.
Beyond the Arena: Entertainment and Amenities
Beyond the equestrian competitions, the Bicton International Horse Trials offers a variety of entertainment for visitors throughout the weekend. This includes displays from the Knights of Middle England, Shetland pony racing, a family dog show, children's activities, and have-a-go dog agility sessions. Demonstrations by Lorna Hayes with her Crufts Champion dog, Nora, are also a highlight. New amenities for 2026 include the Members Lounge, alongside the returning Owners, Riders and Grooms Lounge, enhancing the visitor experience.
The event continues through Sunday, May 31, with cross-country and show jumping phases promising further excitement and a clear indication of the season's form for many top riders.