Cottingham Equestrian Centre

Well what a day yesterday turned out to be!

We can't thank everyone enough for turning out to support us. We made provisions for the ground conditions, and despite making the decision to withdraw the jumping from the day, the show didn't lose any of its sparkle!

We were thrilled that so many of you came to join us - walking up and down the show ground and seeing so many smiling faces really is what we do it for! We are loving all of your tags, posts, comments, and photos from the day, the buzz of a summer show really is magical.

There are so many people to thank for making the day happen, so here goes:

🏆A huge thank you so all of our sponsors - there are too many to name, but without them, the show just wouldn't, and could't take place - you are all wonderful and we truly appreciate your support.

🏆Thank you to our wonderful judges who worked tirelessly throughout the day, giving constructive feedback, and lots of encouragement. The hard work judges put into show days is incredible - Mark Taylor MBE (Ridden) Jade Stowell (Nervous and Novice) Katie Moulds (In Hand) Bronte Thompson (Working Hunter) and Sophie Thornburn (Dog Show)

🏆Our volunteers for the day, who commit their time and energy to making the day happen - Katie who stewarded in the Ridden Ring like a champ all day long; and Karen, who stewarded the In Hand Ring for the day and kept the classes flowing. And also Pat and Judy, our long serving entry secretaries, who commit to our show yearly, keeping the entry box in order; and, William my super nephew, who kept the horse box and trailer parking flowing.

🏆A special shout out to my 15 year old son, Tom, who has worked for days on end in the run up to the show, in the ridiculous heat, to stake out, rope out and set up the show ground with me. Not many teenagers of his age would graft in the way he has, and even dismantled the show ground, with the held of his equally hard working friend, Archie, after a very long day, after running the dog show.

🏆The CEC staff who worked hard on the day, with smiles on their faces, not only to make sure our yard was s***k and span, and fields poo picked, before the day even began, but to commit to all manners of jobs that were thrown their way on the day. It was also lovely to have ex staff member, Thea, join us for the day to give us an extra set of hands.

🏆All the wonderful food vendors, stalls, and stands that created a wonderful atmosphere, and kept us all fed, and watered throughout the day. It was a pleasure to see you all, and was lovely to chat to you

🏆And lastly, but not in the very least, Craig Ellis Photography and his team, who literally didn't stop! Craig even had the photos uploaded to sell by this morning after a 12 hour day - talk about efficient! Please, please can I ask that everyone respects his work by buying his photos, directly rather than sharing watermarked photos. The link to the gallery can be found below:

https://craigellisphotography.instaproofs.com/gallery/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTwH1lwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVQ0Qnl0eGt0NjBwYjNiaG9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeIhNCWtE64JJ7rfS0NTY1q2ZDzolGI_78hHt5x0a-Mbo6p2nx2SPDIUDPxTc_aem_ItUVvMotoX_D79I2DvPmow /2162764

🏆It's been a long old week, with clear down today, but it's time for a few days off now to finally rest and recover, before we do it all again on Sunday 13th September, with our final show of the year. Our show is not ran by a committee, just organised by a very small number of people, who work hard to make the magic happen!

A glass of wine, and early night is now in order!

Thanks again for a wonderful day - Nikki xx

It's Show Day Eve!

And we hope you are all ready and prepped, and are looking forward to the day as much as we are!

It was a 03:30 start for us today, finishing admin, answering the many messages we receive through our social media pages (please bare with us, we are slowly getting there!) and putting the last minute touches on our show ground. But every effort is being made to make the day as fun, friendly and as encouraging as ever.

As you clean your tack, polish your boots, and get those last minute details organised, please take a moment to read through the information below, to make life easier on the day:

🏆The show ground is located off the Skidby A164 roundabout - please follow the signs to Cottingham Parks Golf and Leisure Club. You will see us on the right hand side as you turn down the drive - please use the postcode HU16 5SW. The show ground is NOT at our yard directly.

🏆For those that have pre entered, and paid their postage fee, and compulsory first aid fee, your numbers have been posted out. For those that missed these off their pre entries, your numbers are ready to be collected at the secretary box, where the first aid fee can be paid upon collection.

🏆All classes can be entered on the day at £10.00 per entry. To make life easier, please have your £4.00 first aid fee in change to speed up things at the secretary box

🏆We WILL be spot checking for up to date vaccinations - please ensure you have your horses passport to hand

🏆In line with current Government guidelines, please no smoking on the show ground

🏆Trailer and horse box parking is to the bottom of the show ground, in a separate field adjacent to the show ground. NO car parking permitted in their horse box field what so ever - please do not make the life of our staff difficult - this is to ensure we can accommodate the arrival of our competitors throughout the day

🏆Car parking is located to the far end of the show ground. For those attending for the dog show, we have plenty of space for you to park near the dog show entry tent

🏆Please be respectful of the 'spectators only' areas on the show ground - no horses permitted near the area directly next to the stalls and food and drink vendors

🏆Due to the current ground conditions, there will be no cantering in any of the group go arounds in any of the rings. Canter is optional in individual shows, and will not effect placings

🏆The Show Hunter classes will commence at 13:30 prompt. Please feel free to use the ring as an additional warm up arena prior to the start of the classes

🏆As ever, the judges decision is final.

🏆Lastly, please enjoy the day. We know everyone has put hard work and effort into the day - not just the competitors, but the unpaid grooms, supporters, staff, volunteers, and stall holders. Please be kind, and respectful of each other at all times. Whether in the ribbons or not, you will all take the best pony home on the day!

Good luck, we look forward to welcoming you all!

Show prep is in full swing!

Our show ground has been staked and roped out, sponsor banners added - we even have our very own banner this year to welcome all of our lovely competitors and spectators!

Tonight’s mammoth task is organising our rosette’s ready for the rings. We have added a bit of sparkle to our rosettes this year, and absolutely love them!

We are also totally in love with our Equi-Plaques stable plaques which we have for all of our champions, reserve champions and supreme champions. Even the doggos haven’t missed out on a plaque, with Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show receiving one too!

Whose excited?! We know we are!

We hope you’re hungry on Sunday!

Joining us for our Annual Summer Show are:

🍔Food4UCatering - serving burgers, bacons sandiwiches, sausage baps, and more - show day fuel at its best!

🍕Simply Tasty Stone Baked Pizza - Hugely popular last year, and we can’t wait to have them join us again this year

🎂Abigail Bakes - THE best local based cake maker in East Yorkshire. Last time, their stand sold out by mid afternoon which speaks for itself

🥞Flippin’ Great - Freshly made, Dutch pancakes. After sampling their amazing pancakes at Hessle Country Market, we knew had to have them join us here!

🥂Balloons and Blooms - a wonderful unique local business serving Prosecco, cider and beer PLUS beautiful blooms for sale! Fresh flower bouquets for every budget

☕️Espresso Van Gogh - a summer show staple! Serving THE best coffee and teas, plus freshly squeezed lemonade and more. Always a popular choice at our summer show

🍦Mr Whippy - Paul will be joining us for the third consecutive year to provide all your summer survival favourites! Keeping the kids, and the big kids, happy!

Don’t forget TopSpec are joining us at our Annual Summer Show this Sunday!

Ella from TopSpec will be with us throughout the day, offering nutritional advice - a great time to check that your horses needs are being met as we head into changing seasons. Plus, the opportunity to have your horse or pony weighed accurately on a weigh bridge.

Ella will also be giving away these lovely TopSpec healthy horse rosettes to promote correct weight and condition - will your horse be a TopSpec Healthy Horse?

Don’t forget to share your photos of the day! 💚💛

Just some of our beautiful rosettes all ready for our Annual Summer Show 2026 on Sunday!

We also have Equi-Plaques stable plaques for champions and reserves, and trophies for both Supreme, and Reserve Supreme Champions.

Thank you to The Rosette Lady for working so hard to fulfil our rather large rosette order as always!

This year, our Dog Show has been very kindly sponsored by Haven Veterinary GROUP!

Haven Veterinary Group have two branches in both Hull, and Hedon, and cover not only small animals, but farm animals, and equines too!

They offer a huge range of services, such as vaccinations, dental care, microchipping, and more - and also offer a 24/7 service for both farm and equine emergencies.

Pictured is our very own Border Terrier, Frank, who has been signed up to their Pet Plan since a pup, to keep him fit and healthy - always a great service, and positive experience for Frank!

Haven Vets will be giving doggy goodie bags on the day to both Best In Show, and Reserve Best In Show. K9 catering pet supplies are also attending the day with their vast range of dog treats and goodies, and have also very kindly donated two fleece dog beds to the Best In Show, and Reserve Best In Show.

Our Dog Ring is located to the rear of the show field, away from the main horse rings, with easy access from the car parking area. All entries on the day - all welcome!

❗Message to those have pre entered ❗

Pre entries will be posted out this morning, however, there are only nine competitors who have paid for their compulsory first aid cover, and postage fee.

If you haven't paid for yours, please drop us a DM on details of how to pay via bank transfer. Otherwise, pre entered numbers will be taken to the secretary box to be collected on the day, where the first aid fee can be paid in cash.

This year, our first aid providers are Yorkshire Medical Services Hull, who be with us for the duration of the show.

❗Important show update - please read❗

After much consideration, a very difficult decision has been made to withdraw both the Show Jumping Ring, and Working Hunter classes, from this years Annual Summer Show 2026.

The long, hot, and dry weather period we have experienced this year has been the major factor in this decision, with inevitable low pre entries. Whilst we are predicted some rain in the days leading up to the show (although we're not sure the weather forecast is worth the paper it's written on at the moment!) we feel it is not in the best interest of everyone to continue going ahead.

For those that had entered in WH and jump classes, please get in touch directly to have your entries transferred, or refunded.

HOWEVER!

We have good grass coverage on our show ground, and WILL be going ahead with the Ridden, In Hand, Nervous and Novice, and Show Hunter rings as planned! We have had very strong pre entry numbers in all classes, with canter being optional in the ridden ring.

We are holding an additional Working Hunter Show on Saturday 22nd August held on a surface at our yard itself, which will be sponsored by AE HORSE BOX Repairs, with beautiful rosettes to be won.

We will also hold an additional Unaffiliated Show Jumping Ring, as part of our End of Season In Hand and Ridden Show on Sunday 13th September (Subject to ground conditions) which will be sponsored by Bell4Business Limited.

Our Show Hunter classes will be going ahead a planned on the day, with several The Showing Register (TSR) qualifiers, starting at 13:30 prompt!

Please spread the word, and come join us for a wonderful day of showing! We have amazing rosettes, generous show rings, a fabulous dog show, and lots of brilliant food, drink and stalls! We can't wait to welcome you all - we are accepting all entries on the day so please don not panic if you have missed our pre entry deadline

This year as part of our Annual Summer Show 2026, all of our competitors will have the chance to purchase their very own Equi-Plaques stable plaque as a memory of their day!

The link will be available shortly online to purchase - we look forward to seeing your plaques proudly displayed on your horses stable!