Record-breaking Bramham
Published: 7 June 2011
A record-breaking number of visitors flocked to this year's Welcome to Yorkshire Bramham International Horse Trials, making it the biggest and best yet organisers have revealed.
Pre ticket sales were up this year by 7% and visitor numbers were up by 3.5% after nearly 59,000 flocked to the four-day event - making it the best ever in its 37 year history.
Bramham's Event Director Nicholas Pritchard said: "Bramham 2011 will go down as our most successful year since it started in 1974. Bumper crowds, world-class competition and one of the most highly acclaimed cross country courses for years all contributed to making this the best Bramham ever.
"Thanks must go to our sponsors, especially Welcome to Yorkshire, Bishop Burton College, Equi-Trek, Dickinson Dees and Land Rover, without whom the continuous improvements couldn't happen.
"The riders were on fine form this year and gave us some top class competitions which kept us guessing right until the end and the public have been incredible in their support. I must also thank our hosts, the Lane Fox family plus the huge army of volunteers and officials who keep the show on the road. 2012 is already in planning and it will be extra special with the Olympics on the horizon."
This year was the first time Welcome to Yorkshire had title-sponsored the prestigious event which will next year be held from June 7 to June 10, 2012.
Gary Verity chief executive said: "This was first-class competition, with record entries, record crowds and glorious weather. This year's event was certainly the best ever and we are proud to support it.
"There were visitors and competitors from across the world descending onto Bramham Park for the four days and early estimates suggest they spent between £3m to £4million. Getting a B&B within a 15 mile radius of Bramham was almost impossible and the public campsite at Bramham was full.
"This is fantastic news for the local economy and we are certain that next year will be even better!"
A German rider won the Bramham International Horse Trials title for the first time in its history after Kai Rueder scooped the accolade.
Germany's victory is partly due to coaching from Yorkshire's Chris Bartle from the Yorkshire Riding Centre at Markington.
As well as the equestrian appeal, there was also plenty of fun for the family with 130 trade stands as well as a new Action and Adventure in Yorkshire zone where visitors could try segways, quad bikes, trampoline bungies and archery.
Next year's Bramham International Horse Trials will be held from June 7 to June 10, 2012.
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Editors' Notes:
• Welcome to Yorkshire is the official destination marketing organisation for Yorkshire, working to grow the county's visitor economy.
• Welcome to Yorkshire is funded by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.
• Key facts include:
• Tourism in Yorkshire is worth £7 billion annually
• The county's industry employs almost a quarter of a million people
• There are 216 million visits to Yorkshire each year
For more news and a free image bank www.yorkshire.com/mediacentre
For further information contact:
Jo Francisco - press officer
Email: jfrancisco@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 322 3563
Mobile: 07769257327
Dee Marshall - Head of Communications
Email: dmarshall@yorkshire.com
Direct Line: 0113 3223505
Mobile: 07950 325 901