Equestrian

From top eventers to polo players, racehorse trainers to dressage stars all based in the Cotswolds, this list could go on forever, says Debbie Graham

Horses and ponies are an integral part of the Cotswold scene. Here, we share some of your best equestrian shots

Former top Italian event rider Giuseppe della Chiesa once dreamt of competing at Badminton Horse Trials, but instead finds himself designing the course at this iconic event

Ben Way has been applying his expertise in all things equestrian for Butler Sherborn for the last five years – which has proved to be a perfect fit for both Ben and the firm as he spends his spare time competing at the very highest level in eventing.

Debbie Graham meets up with dressage superstar Valegro, and his owner and trainer, Olympic gold medalist Carl Hester

The 12th Duke of Marlborough, who acceded to the title upon his father’s death last October, is the President of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which takes place from September 17-20, 2015

Oxfordshire-based eventer Aoife Clark is hoping to return to Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials for its 25th Anniversary year

What happens when some madman gives our equestrian writer Debbie Graham a Maserati supercar to test drive for the weekend

Top dressage rider Carl Hester talks to Debbie Graham about the one and only Valegro, and the legacy the horse will leave British Dressage, at his home in Gloucestershire

Your Horse Live is a fun and fabulous day out for friends and family

The Cotswolds is the equestrian capitial of Britain and home to some of the world’s most prestigious horse trials; Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, The Festival of British Eventing and Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials - but how well do you know them? Take our quiz to find out

In less than a week MPs will be voting whether or not to allow a pack of dogs to once again hunt foxes. Are you in favour or against the move? Cast your vote here

Cotswold Life equestrian writer Debbie Graham speaks to businesswoman and former chairman of British Dressage Desi Dillingham MBE about her love of horses and The Festival of British Eventing

Cotswold Life and Blenheim Place International Horse Trials (September 17-20) have teamed up to put together a fantastic package aimed at ladies who like to lunch, shop and go to horse trials.

Win a weekend at the Festival of British Eventing

Top dressage rider Carl Hester MBE from Newent in Gloucestershire has been awarded the prestigious British Horse Society Queen’s Award for Equestrianism by Her Majesty The Queen at Royal Windsor Horse Show. The Award, which is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society, is ‘For Outstanding Services to Equestrianism’.

A rubbed mane and tail is a common sight on a horse and pony in the summer months, and the majority of these cases are caused by a reaction to midge bites, called Sweet Itch explains Debbie Graham

2015 Cotswold Life trophy winner Charlotte Agnew chats to Debbie Graham at the post-Badminton party

For the first time in years it is an all female line-up for the Cotswold Life Trophy at the prestigious Mitsibushi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this year.

The award, sponsored by Cotswold Life magazine, is given to the best British rider, not entitled to wear the adult Union Jack, whose permanent address is in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxon, Worcestershire, Herefordshire or Somerset, and previous winners have included Harry Meade (2014), Tom McEwen (2013) and Laura Collett (2011).

Badminton Horse Trials takes place on 6-10 May 2015 in Gloucestershire – we pick 7 things to pack to ensure you channel the Cotswold style at the most prestigious event in the equestrian calendar

Debbie Graham spoke to Cotswolds-based eventer Mark Todd on the eve of 2013’s Badminton Horse Trials

The rags-to-riches biography of the superstar dressage horse Valegro, who with his rider Charlotte Dujardin has won every title possible and are the reigning Olympic, World and European champions, is to be published as a hardback book in the autumn.

Badminton course designer Giuseppe Della Chiesa walks the 2015 course with Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes

The Festival of British Eventing, presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association (August 7-9) and held within the beautiful surroundings of Gatcombe Park, is truly one of the Cotswold summer events not to be missed

The inspirational Verity Smith, who has lost 97 per cent of her sight, tells Katie Jarvis about her Cotswold life as she trains for next year’s Paralympics

Here are 8 National Hunt trainers from the Cotswolds gearing up for Cheltenham Festival; each hoping their horses will come home from Cheltenham Race Week triumphant. Who will you be putting your money on?

From his working-class roots in South Wales to being one of our most sought-after equestrian artists, David Dent has found the winning formula

Debbie Graham spoke to Olympian Andrew Nicholson, who is swapping event horses for racehorses as he gears up for Cheltenham

The equine condition laminitis is common and frustrating to treat, says Debbie Graham.Veterinary surgeon Jess Hill offers advice on how to spot the symptoms, and what course of action to choose for your pony.

Young riders from the Cotswolds have made it onto the equestrian World Class Development Programme

Meet rescued horses great and small at Redwings Oxhill

For 46 weeks of the year, Cotswold veterinary surgeon Tim Brazil’s patients are the sports and pleasure horses of this area and beyond. But for the remaining six it is the working equines of developing countries, like India and Egypt, that demand his attention. Debbie Graham spoke to him about his work.

Debbie Graham talks to Captain Mark Phillips and Peter Phillips about Gatcombe Horse Trials and finds it’s very much a family affair. Photography by Carl Hewlett

Debbie Graham talks to the golden boy of British dressage Carl Hester

If you’re after thrills, skills, speed and excitement, then The Festival of British Eventing, presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association offers it all. Taking place on the weekend of August 2-4, it’s one of the most-anticipated events of the equestrian calendar. “But you don’t have to love horses to enjoy the fun”, says event director Tim Henson. “There’s entertainment enough to put a smile on everyone’s face.”

Event rider Rosie Thomas realised her dream when making her debut at last year's world-famous Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, and can't wait to tackle the formidable fences again this year.

From the bleak streets of Stirling to the life of a modern-day Laird, Katie Jarvis finds that when it comes to Willie Carson, success breeds success. photography by Mark Fairhurst.

This year, there's a new hand on the reins at The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park. Peter Phillips has joined his father, Captain Mark Phillips, in the role of joint horse trials organiser.

He might look fresh as a daisy, but don't be fooled. Captain Mark Phillips has just flown back from Denver (via an unscheduled stop in Chicago for 24 hours; medical emergency on board). And on Sunday he's off to Germany.

Martin Riley meets the Cotswold trainer with his eyes firmly on Cheltenham success