Organisers of last weekend's Bramham International Horse Trials say the event was the best ever in the 38 years the competition has been running.

 

Bramham's CCI*** winners Kai Rüder and Saaten Unions Charly Weld. © Mike Bain CIC*** winners Jonathan Paget and Clifton Lush. © Mike Bain Under 25 CCI*** winners Helen Dunning and Keep Your Options Open. © Stephanie Freeman

Nearly 59,000 spectators (up 3.5%), over 450 horses, 29 equestrian competitions and more than 130 tradestands combined to produce an action packed programme for all the family. Three new names will join the Bramham Roll of Honour from the main eventing classes - Kai Reuder (Ger), Helen Dunning (GB) and Jonathan Paget (NZ).

The main Welcome to Yorkshire CCI*** was a nail biting affair throughout but it was Germany's Kai Rüder who came out on top on his first trip to the Yorkshire event. Fourth after dressage, he had a fantastic ride around Ian Stark's highly acclaimed cross country course with Saaten Unions Charley Weld and was clear all the way in Sunday's show jumping finale to give Germany their first ever win at Bramham. There was still a Yorkshire connection with the European visitor as the German Team trainer is Chris Bartle, proprietor of the Yorkshire Riding Centre.

"I've had placings at 4* level but to win this is very special," Rüder said. "No German riders have been to Bramham for 10 years, our trainer, Chris Bartle, wouldn't let us come until we were good enough." Second place went to Cheshire's Polly Stockton and Regulus, and local hero Oliver Townend was third with his exciting young prospect, Neo du Breuil.

The Bishop Burton College U25 CCI*** was a closely fought competition. After dressage and cross country, Ireland's Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just a Jiff had the advantage. However a fence down in the electric arena handed victory to Britain's newest young talent, Helen Dunning. A great clear also promoted Paul Sims and Power of Dreams up from fifth to third.

Dunning has been on the British Pony and Junior squads as an individual rider and is from Whitchurch in Shropshire.

New Zealand has a new name in contention for their equestrian team - Jonathan Paget. Riding Clifton Lush, Paget won the CIC*** with a fantastic cross country clear inside the time. A dressage of 45.4 left the combination in fourth and they had a show jump down which actually put them down the order. Paget took the ride over in February from compatriot Joe Meyer and they've quickly formed a sound partnership.

Second went to reigning Young Rider European Champion Emily Parker with the exciting prospect, Treefers. A dressage of 48.8 put her in good stead, as did a clear in the show jumping. Bramham-regular Andrew Nicholson was third with the Spanish-bred Armada on 52.8.

"Bramham 2011 will go down as our most successful year since it started in 1974," said Bramham's Event Director Nicholas Pritchard. "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," Pritchard said.