Houghton International hosts FEI Eventing Nations Cup

The world’s best eventers are on their way to Norfolk, as Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International is hosting the FEI Eventing Nations Cup (24-27 May).

Team GB

Houghton is the only British leg of the series, and will see see five nations battling it out in a bid to take the title. Germany has won there for the past three years, so can Team GB knock them off the top spot this year?

Here’s who is riding:

• Katie Bleloch with her own 12-year-old gelding Bulano
• Chuffy Clarke and Jonathan and Jane Clarke’s 16-year-old gelding Second Supreme
• Matthew Heath on his own and Hazel Livesey’s 11-year-old gelding One Of A Kind II
• Holly Woodhead and Parkfield Breeding’s 10-year-old gelding Parkfield Quintessential

Nations Cup debut

Chuffy (22) and Katie (21) both make their senior Nations Cup team debut, while Matthew and Holly competed on the team for the first time in 2017.

France won the opening leg of the 2018 series in Vairano, Italy at the end of April, with Sweden taking the runner-up spot, Italy third and Switzerland fourth.

Britain missed this first event, which means the pressure is on this weekend as they need to achieve a podium place to catch up.

Damien Hirst exhibition

After gaining international status in 2007 Houghton now welcomes over 700 horses each year, including more than 350 international competitors, from 19 nations. Alongside the Nations Cup the event also hosts the Naff British Eventing U21 National Championships.

In addition to the eventing, Houghton Hall has a Damien Hirst exhibition of new paintings alongside some of his most celebrated sculptures.