Held within the grounds of Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire, this is an action-packed cocktail of activities for both equestrian competitors and those who simply want a fun family day out. With five days of International Show Jumping, Eventing Grand Prix, Puissance, Mini Major, Ride & Drive, as well as stunt horses, live music, top DJs and celebrity chefs, Bolesworth really does have it all. Add to this a festival atmosphere with an extensive range of shopping and lifestyle experiences, and fun things to do for visitors of all ages, there truly is something for everyone.

This year the additional equestrian features include:
•             14 June (afternoon):      Eventing Grand Prix, combining show jumps and cross-country jumps
•             15 June (morning):         Trooping the Colour charity park ride
•             16 June (evening):          Ride & Drive
•             17 June (evening):          Puissance
•             18 June:                               10 Years and Under Fancy Dress Competition
•             18 June (afternoon):      Mini Major.
Also, a Masterclass with the inspirational event rider, Nicola Wilson.  

CSI 3* International Show Jumping World Ranking Classes

Top competitors from both the UK and abroad will be gathering for the International show jumping, which remains at the heart of the Bolesworth International. Riders will be looking to gain their eligibility qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics and European Championships. Abbey England is proud to be one of the leading lorinery and saddlery supply companies in the UK, as well as a Royal Warrant holder. The company manufactures not only finished items, such as horse bits, stirrups and spurs, but also all of the leather, buckles, clips and additional articles required by master saddlers to produce the many items of tack used by horse and rider. With the focus on Bolesworth International 2023, here are a selection of the items that Abbey England manufactures for use by the horses and riders.

Eggbutt Cherry Roller Snaffle 

The Snaffle Bit is the largest of the bitting groups or families. With its direct line of contact from the bit, through the reins, to the rider’s hands, it has no lever action, pulley or curb chain. Acting upon the horse’s lips, tongue and bars, the general action of a Snaffle bit is to lift and encourage the head and neck upwards. How it is implemented across the mouth, depends upon the mouthpiece’s design, as well as the position of the horse’s head and neck, and the rider’s hands.
Seen here as an Eggbutt with a Cherry Roller mouthpiece. The Eggbutt side sections help prevent the bit from pinching the horse’s lips. The Cherry Roller mouthpiece has a single joint and rotating rollers are placed on the cannons. These are used to help prevent the horse from grabbing hold of – and fixing on – the bit, to lean upon the rider’s hands.

Butterfly Flip Bit with a Waterford Mouthpiece

This bit was named after the famous show jumper, the Butterfly Flip. It is similar in appearance to the Kimblewick and Uttoxeter but has a longer section above the mouthpiece and can be used with or without a curb chain or jaw strap attached. The loops to which the bridle’s cheek pieces are attached, are round – unlike the narrow oblong slots found on a Kimblewick or Uttoxeter. This allows the bridles cheek pieces to slip around more freely as the rein contact is taken up, alleviating some of the poll pressure, particularly when the lower rein attachment is used.
The reins can be attached in different positions. With the reins attached in line with the mouthpiece it will function as a Snaffle, with a direct line of contact from the hand, through the rein to the bit. However, when the reins are attached below the mouthpiece, using the bottom hook, a leverage action will be implemented. This tilts the mouthpiece forward, placing a downward pressure upon the mouth, curb and poll.

If required, it is possible to attach a leather curb strap to the top loops and passing behind the jaw. This will intensify the bit’s action in the mouth and remove some of the poll pressure. Care must be taken if attaching a curb chain, to ensure that it sits in the correct position on the chin groove.
 

The Butterfly Flip bit is available from Abbey England in a wide range of mouthpieces, to accommodate the requirements of many mouth types, including French, lozenge and straight. The Waterford, shown here, provides a multi-joined bit mouthpiece, which can be helpful for horses that tend to fix, lean or take hold of the bit.
 

 

Swales three-in-one Pelham, Rubber mouthpiece

A bit for the experienced rider, the Swales three-in-one is a Pelham. Used with two reins, the top reins attach to the loose sliding rings, which are fitted around the bit’s mouthpiece, and the other to the lower curb ring. The higher rein attachment provides a Snaffle action and when implemented, the lower rein provides a curb action, with downwards pressure across the mouth, as well as upon the chin groove, via the curb chain.
Rather than using curb chain hooks, this bit has the curb chain attached to the small spiral sections above the mouthpiece. The bridle’s cheek pieces are attached to these rotating top rings and this significantly reduces pressure on the horse’s poll, because these inside rings slip around the mouthpiece. However, it is important to remember that this will then intensify the bit’s action on the curb chain, and additionally, provide an inwards squeezing pressure upon the sides of the horse’s lips and mouth. This would be intensified if a jointed mouthpiece were used instead of a straight one. The rider – as with all bits – will require educated and empathetic hands for its successful use.
 

Running Martingale Rubber Rings and Rein Stops

The Abbey England Equus range of rubber saddlery accessories includes Martingale Rings and Rein Stops. Made in the UK from high quality rubber the martingale ring ensures that the neck strap stays securely in place. The Rein Stoppers are very important on a Running Martingale, as they are fitted on the reins just behind the bit. This enables the martingale to act in the correct position but prevent the martingales rings from running too far towards the bit and getting caught up on the reins fastenings. These are small but important items of equipment! Made by Abbey England in several colours, they can be matched up with Equus Rubber Overreach Boots.



Martingale Rubber Rings and Rein Stops in action with this Running Martingale  >    





The team at Abbey England wish all competitors at Bolesworth International an enjoyable and successful event.

Royal Warrant holder, Abbey England is one of Britain’s leading loriners, suppling horse bits and other equestrian equipment. Visit the website to see the full range of bits available from Abbey England or click here to become a retailer.