If you like to plan your year early, the 2026 UK equestrian calendar already has plenty locked in. From five-star eventing and championship finals to international showjumping and indoor winter fixtures, these are the dates riders, owners, and spectators return to year after year.
This guide pulls together the major UK equestrian events for 2026, with dates, disciplines, and why each one matters when planning your season. If you want the full picture, download Horsemart 2026 Predictions.
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Spring 2026
Spring marks the move out of winter routines and into competition, confidence-building, and early goals.
|
Event |
Dates |
Discipline |
Location |
|
10–13 March |
Jumps racing |
Cheltenham, Glos |
|
|
9–11 April |
Jumps racing |
Aintree, Liverpool |
|
|
15–19 April |
Dressage |
Addington, Bucks |
|
|
6–10 May |
Eventing |
Gloucestershire |
|
|
14–17 May |
Showing, SJ, Dressage, Endurance, Driving |
Windsor, Berks |
|
|
15–17 May |
Eventing |
Northumberland |
Planning note: Spring events are often used to test winter training rather than chase peak performance straight away.
Early Summer 2026
Longer days and firmer ground bring fuller calendars and more choice.
|
Event |
Dates |
Discipline |
Location |
|
10–14 June |
Eventing |
West Yorkshire |
|
|
16–20 June |
Flat racing |
Ascot, Berks |
|
|
18–21 June |
Showjumping |
Hickstead, West Sussex |
|
|
26–29 June & 2–6 July |
Showjumping |
Chester, Cheshire |
Planning note: This is where riders often decide whether to push on or hold space for later summer and autumn goals.
Mid to Late Summer 2026
Summer is packed with national finals, county shows, and international sport.
|
Event |
Dates |
Discipline |
Location |
|
22 July |
Hound show |
Peterborough |
|
|
21–26 July |
Showing, Showjumping |
Hickstead |
|
|
8–10 August |
Showjumping |
Royal Hospital Chelsea |
|
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4–9 August |
Showjumping |
Stoneleigh, Warks |
|
|
13–16 August |
Eventing |
Hartpury, Glos |
Planning note: This is often the busiest part of the year. Riders who space events carefully tend to finish stronger.
Autumn 2026
Autumn rewards consistency and steady preparation.
|
Event |
Dates |
Discipline |
Location |
|
3–6 September |
Eventing |
Stamford, Lincs |
|
|
10–13 September |
Dressage |
Somerford Park, Cheshire |
|
|
17–20 September |
Eventing |
Woodstock, Oxon |
|
|
7–11 October |
Showing, Showjumping, Dressage |
NEC Birmingham |
Planning note: Many riders structure their whole year around one autumn target.
Winter 2026
Winter events close the year and often set the tone for the next one.
|
Event |
Dates |
Discipline |
Location |
|
6–8 November |
Mixed |
NAEC, Warwickshire | |
|
December 2026 (TBC) |
SJ, Dressage, Showing, Driving |
ExceL London |
|
|
26 December |
Jumps racing |
Kempton, Surrey |
Planning note: Winter fixtures are often about reflection, learning, and planning rather than results.
Why This Calendar Is Worth Bookmarking
Most riders won’t attend everything, but knowing when things happen helps with:
- Planning training blocks
- Spreading costs through the year
- Avoiding over-booking
- Choosing when to compete, watch, or learn
- Lining up clinics and camps around key dates
A clear calendar takes the pressure off.
Want the Full 2026 Picture?
This guide covers the major UK fixtures riders plan around. The Horsemart 2026 Predictions download goes further, bringing together:
- Wider grassroots and regional events
- Key qualifier windows
- Training and clinic trends
- How rider priorities are shifting
- What to expect from brands and organisers in 2026
If you like starting the season organised rather than reactive, it’s a useful one to keep nearby.
Once the dates are in place, the next question is what’s actually changing this year - our first look at what 2026 has in store picks that up.
