It’s all systems go for a new autumn equestrian event to be held at Askham Bryan College near York with entries opening today (Monday, September 5).

Entitled The Askham Bryan Horse Trials it takes place on Sunday, October 10 2010 and as well as dressage and show jumping, it will include a cross-country course designed and built by British eventing course designer, Adrian Ditcham. A ‘gold standard designer,’ Mr Ditcham is a member of the course building team for London 2012 and is a familiar face from numerous equine events, including Burghley.

Philip Grant, head of college development who is the British Eventing organiser for the College said: ”The time and commitment invested in the design, construction and running of the trials is tremendous and reflects the college’s commitment to supporting the equine industry. We are being assisted by a truly excellent team of volunteers who have a vast pool of knowledge having already worked at events such as Bramham Horse Trials and also trials at Skipton and Allerton Park.”

The event is aimed predominately at newcomers, and will include around 40 fences all constructed to British Eventing standards. The 2,800 metre course will take riders across college pasture land in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside and feature a complexity of fences including a water jump, ditches and hedges, all creating a traditional style course.

Askham Bryan College has a strong equine section offering a range of courses from BHS Level 1 up to the BSC Honours degree in equine management. With indoor and outdoor schools, it has stabling for more than 40 horses plus a cross country training area. Some £1m has been invested in the equine section over the last five years with £10m spent on improving and adding to the college facilities as a whole.