Jemima Howden’s Guide To This Year’s Cornbury House Horse Trials
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2 weeks ago
A highlight on the social calendar
Oxfordshire’s Cornbury House Horse Trials take eventing to a whole new level. Backdropped by beautiful Cornbury House and the ancient Wychwood Forest, the event originally ran from 1993 to 2000 but was relaunched in 2020 by entrepreneur, philanthropist and regenerative agriculture enthusiast David Howden. And Howden has spared nothing to make this gem of an event into one of the most desirable in the sporting and social calendars.
Set to return to Cornbury House from 10 to 14 September 2025, competing this year is British eventing’s rising star Jemima Howden, daughter of David and a Friend of the House ambassador for the event’s headline partner Pragnell. Here, we’ve teamed up with Jemima to share the ultimate guide to Cornbury House Horse Trials 2025.
Cornbury House Horse Trials 2025: A Guide
What Is It?
Running annually since 2020, Cornbury House Horse Trials is a top-class equestrian event with a woodland festival feel. ‘Cornbury has so many amazing things going on,’ says Jemima Howden. ‘Of course, it all starts with the eventing which includes dressage, then showjumping, and finally the cross country. But the whole vibe is incredible, and the food and shopping are just as exciting as the sport.’
Expect to witness the country’s finest young horses and riders compete across five days of sport, all accompanied by plenty of locally sourced food and drink, underscoring the estate’s commitment to sustainability, premium hospitality and supporting neighbouring farms. (More on that below.)
‘The whole vibe at Cornbury is incredible.’ (Jemima Howden, shot by Georgina Preston and styled by Talitha Howden, wearing Pragnell jewellery.)
‘There’s such a buzz at Cornbury,’ Jemima says. ‘Having the young horse championships there brings a really exciting energy, and you can feel how much everyone is enjoying it.’
Jemima has the added benefit of seeing Cornbury from both sides: as a spectator and a competitor. Returning to the event this September, Jemima says Cornbury is ‘honestly my favourite’. ‘The thrill of galloping across the cross country course with the hills and stunning views is unbelievable,’ she says. ‘It’s definitely a bit nerve-wracking – but in the best way possible.’
Jemima Howden competing at Cornbury House Horse Trials
The Events
The Cornbury House Horse Trials is made up of dressage (Wednesday and Thursday), cross-country (Friday) and showjumping (Saturday), as well as the British Eventing Young Horse Championships. ‘I absolutely love Saturday,’ Jemima says. ‘There’s so much going on, and you get to see loads of amazing young horses and up-and-coming riders. It’s such a fun day.’
As for who to look out for in the arena, Jemima’s eyes will be trained on Laura Collett. ‘She’s always one to watch,’ she says. If you’re after the best view, head to ‘the Pragnell Water Jump,’ Jemima recommends. ‘It is stunning.’
‘Every detail at Cornbury feels thoughtful and personal.’ (Jemima Howden, shot by Georgina Preston and styled by Talitha Howden, wearing Pragnell jewellery.)
Food, Drink & Shopping
Equestrianism may be the main event at Cornbury House Horse Trials, but the food and drink is a close second. ‘The food at Cornbury is incredible, especially with all the local produce,’ Jemima says. ‘It really adds to the experience.’
Beside the main show-jumping arena, find ‘From the Farm’, where farm-fresh produce and local businesses will be fuelling spectators. It doesn’t get more local than this: Cornbury House Farm’s raised meat will be cooked on an open asado by Norton Hook Butchers, while The Dairy at Honeydale Farm will be offering home-churned ice cream using milk from cows just down the road. ‘You can really feel how much passion and love has been poured into the whole event,’ Jemima says. ‘Every detail feels thoughtful and personal.’
‘You can really feel how much passion and love has been poured into the whole event.’ (Jemima Howden, shot by Georgina Preston and styled by Talitha Howden, wearing Pragnell jewellery.)
Elsewhere, Nonna Tonda will be cooking up made-to-order pasta using Cornbury’s very own beef ragu in one dish, while Clarence Court will be offering delightful dishes with their eggs with Diddly Squat Farm Shop providing all the condiments. And in hospitality, Cornbury will once again host The Endless Lunch by Mirabeau on the Saturday and Sunday, offering locally sourced, seasonal dishes cooked up by chefs at nearby The Bull at Charlbury, washed down by Mirabeau rosé – all with a view of the main showjumping arena.
For drinks, The Wychwood Inn is the place to be, pouring lager and cider from popular Hawkstone, local ales from Chadlington Brewery, delicious cocktails laced with British Polo Gin and tasty Benson’s Juices for any non-drinkers. Wychwood will be taken over with festivities come the weekend, with a pub quiz on the Friday, and an after party on the Saturday.
Aside from the food, drink and horseriding, there are plenty of festivities to enjoy at Cornbury House Horse Trials. For younger visitors, Wildings is the dedicated kids and family area, with free activities galore over the weekend. But grownups always love Cornbury Village, a dedicated shopping area boasting a curated selection of bespoke, independent brands cross clothing, homewares, jewellery and local artisan produce. Highlights include Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, sustainable luxury knitwear brand Herd, botanical perfumers 100 Acres, country couture brand Bella Hoskyns and plenty more.
New for 2025 is the Pragnell Pavilion, which ‘will be an exciting new addition to the festivities,’ Jemima says. ‘This is a new area where visitors will be able to try on and shop a curated selection of Pragnell pieces while enjoying a unique opportunity to see live craft demonstrations from Pragnell master craftsmen.’
‘I love competing in my Pragnell earrings to add a bit of sparkle while still being practical.’ (Jemima Howden, shot by Georgina Preston and styled by Talitha Howden, wearing Pragnell jewellery.)
What To Wear
There’s no specific dress code at Cornbury House Horse Trials, but the vibe is laidback and informed by the weather forecast – just make sure you have comfortable footwear.
If she weren’t competing, ‘I’d go for a custom-made suit from Barrington Ayre in beautiful Cotswolds fabric,’ Jemima says. ‘I’d pair it with my Pragnell Taurus pendant charm and my Bohemia large plain earrings in yellow gold.’
Elsewhere at Pragnell, Jemima loves the RockChic diamond hoop earrings and the Havannah diamond bracelet in yellow gold. ‘The star sign pendant is such a personal touch,’ she adds. As for when she is in the arena, ‘I love wearing my Pragnell lozenge-cut diamond drop earrings,’ Jemima says. ‘They’re the perfect size to wear under my helmet and add a bit of sparkle while still being practical.’
What To Wear To Cornbury House Horse Trials: The Edit
Jemima treasures her partnership with Pragnell as much as their marvellous jewellery. ‘As a British rider, it just made sense to work with a British brand that has such an incredible heritage,’ she says. ‘Their pieces are beautiful and the story behind the brand really speaks to me.’ Like Cornbury, Pragnell is family-owned and run and dedicated to championing British talent.
Pragnell MD Charlie Pragnell says the brand is ‘delighted’ to welcome Jemima into the fold. ‘Jemima is a rising talent in British eventing and has been making significant strides in the sport,’ Charlie says. ‘Our longstanding friendship with the Howden family, and continuing support of Cornbury House Horse Trials, reflects a shared passion for heritage, artistry and excellence. We look forward to seeing more of Jemima in the upcoming eventing season, wearing Pragnell pieces at the start of this exciting journey together.’
‘As a British rider, it just made sense to work with Pragnell, a British brand that has such an incredible heritage.’ (Jemima Howden, shot by Georgina Preston and styled by Talitha Howden, wearing Pragnell jewellery.)
Tickets
Cornbury House Horse Trials returns from 10 to 14 September 2025 at Cornbury Park, Charlbury Road, Oxfordshire OX7 3DG.
Admission is free on Wednesday, £12 on Thursday, £17 on Friday, £24 on Saturday and £23 on Sunday. Alternatively, four-day tickets are £50 per adult, or weekend tickets are £35 per asult. Children under 12 enter for free. Hospitality tickets are available on Saturday and Sunday: £75 for adults and £45 for children under 12.
Dogs are welcome but must be on leads at all times, and are not welcome in the deer park/dressage areas.
