Excitement Builds for the Hobby Horse Fun at Thoresby Park’s Spring Eventing Carnival
Hobby Horse Adventures warmly invites you to join the Spring Eventing Carnival at Thoresby Park, hosted by BEDE Events, on
The Hobby Horse Championship at Croft Top is back, and it’s bigger, better, and bouncier than ever! Set to take place on Saturday 26 April 2025, this isn’t just another competition – it’s the ultimate celebration of all things hobby horse.
If you’ve ever picked up a hobby horse and taken it for a jump, gallop, or dressage twirl – whether with us at Hobby Horse Adventures or any other event – you’re eligible to enter the Championship classes. And if you haven’t? No worries! You can still take part in loads of fun classes across all levels.
We’ve got four rings of action, prizes, rosettes, and some exciting stallholders joining us on the day. From beginners to pros, this event is about bringing the community together for one unforgettable, laugh-filled day of sporty fun and hobby horse magic.
Let’s make this a championship to remember!
Key Takeaways
The Dressage Freestyle class is your chance to shine 💫
Pick your tune, choreograph your moves, and wow the judges on 26 April at Croft Top!
Our championship venue this year is the brilliant Croft Top Equestrian Centre, located in Rising Bridge, Accrington, Lancashire (BB5 2DP). Just a hop off the M62, it’s easy to get to whether you’re local or travelling in from further afield.
Croft Top is one of the top-rated equestrian centres in the North – and once you see it, you’ll understand why. It’s family-run, spacious, and fully undercover, so rain or shine, we’re bouncing!
There are two arenas on site:
And yes – there’s a large on-site café overlooking both arenas. Parents, friends, and fans can enjoy a brew while keeping an eye on the action. There’s plenty of seating and space for camping chairs if you want to get comfy.
Other useful bits:
It’s the perfect setting for a day of hobby horse brilliance!
We’re running four full rings of exciting classes throughout the day at Croft Top – so whether you’re into dressage, jumping, fun games, or championship-level competition, there’s something just for you.
Here’s how the day is planned:
Set in the warm-up arena, this is your moment to shine with style. Pick your favourite song (1–2 minutes), choreograph your routine, and wow the judges. You’ll be marked on rhythm, creativity, and overall flair. Freestyle heaven!
This one’s all about personality, enthusiasm, and a bit of chaos! Here’s what’s lined up:
| Time | Class |
| 11am | Best Turned Out Hobby Horse |
| 12pm | Mounted Games |
| 1pm | Barrel Racing |
| 2pm | Grand National |
| 3pm | Scurrying |
Let your creativity run wild with costumes, colour, and character. Adults – you’re welcome to join in the Grand National and Scurrying for a bit of fun (and no entry fee!).
Perfect for those building confidence or getting serious about their jumping skills.
| Time | Class |
| 11am | 20cm Jump |
| 12pm | 35cm Jump |
| 1pm | 40cm Pairs Jump |
| 2pm | 50cm Jump |
| 3pm | Chase Me Charlie |
This is a great ring for all ages – from first-timers to keen jumpers.
Reserved for riders who’ve attended any previous hobby horse event (with any organiser). Here’s where the pressure and glory combine!
| Time | Championship Class |
| 11am | 40cm Jump |
| 12pm | 50cm Pairs Jump |
| 1pm | 60cm Jump |
| 2pm | 70cm Jump |
| 3pm | Chase Me Charlie Championship |
🎟️ Note: Some time slots may overlap – you can select up to 2 classes per time slot, but Dressage Freestyle (Ring 1) can be your third.
Ready to bounce your way into the big day? Great! Here’s everything you need to know about entering the Hobby Horse Championship at Croft Top.
Here’s an example:
| Events | Cost Per Class | Entry Fee | Total |
| 6 Events | 6 x £12 = £72 | £10 | £82 |
| 3 Events | 3 x £12 = £36 | £10 | £46 |
You can book up to 11 events, just be careful of time clashes. When booking, you’ll be asked for:
🎟️ Once you’re booked in, you’ll get a confirmation and we’ll see you at the entry desk on the day!
We know how tempting it is to enter every single class – and we totally support it! That’s why we’ve made it cheaper the more you book in advance. 💃🐴
When you book multiple classes online, your entry ticket is bundled in with your class fees – so you only pay £10 once, no matter how many you enter.
Here’s how it works:
| Number of Events | Class Fees | Entry Fee | Total Cost |
| 1 Event | £12 | £10 | £22 |
| 3 Events | £36 (3 x £12) | £10 | £46 |
| 6 Events | £72 (6 x £12) | £10 | £82 |
| 11 Events | £132 (11 x £12) | £10 | £142 |
👉 Compare that to paying £13 per class on the day – it adds up fast!
So if you’re thinking of entering more than one or two classes, booking online not only saves you a few pounds – it guarantees your spot in the busier classes too.
Bonus: you’ll skip the extra form-filling on the day and have more time to warm up, explore the stalls, and soak in the atmosphere.
Not everyone gets to enter a Championship, but we like to keep it fair and fun. If you’ve taken part in any hobby horse event before – whether it was with Hobby Horse Adventures or any other organiser – you’re eligible to enter the Championship classes at Croft Top.
There’s no qualification paperwork or application needed – we trust our riders and want to make this a celebration for everyone who’s ever had a go.
Championship classes are held in Ring 4, and they include:
All other rings and classes are open to absolutely everyone – whether it’s your first event ever or your fiftieth! We love seeing new faces and seasoned bouncers all in one place.
Just remember – championship classes do tend to fill up, so we recommend booking early to avoid missing out.
We’ll be awarding plenty of rosettes, and the competition will be full of energy, encouragement, and pony pride!
Get ready to support a brilliant cause – and maybe win a seriously special prize while you’re at it! 🎉
We’re holding a charity raffle on the day to raise money for HAPPA – the Horse and Pony Protection Association, a fantastic organisation dedicated to the welfare and rehabilitation of equines.
🎁 The star prize? A Shelly’s Handmade Hobby Horse worth £170! These stunning, handcrafted hobby horses are famous in the community and made with love, detail, and top-notch craftsmanship.
You can grab your tickets at the event – look out for the raffle table near the café and main entry desk.
Every ticket helps a pony in need and gives you a shot at taking home an amazing keepsake. Win-win, we’d say!
Not all awards are about jumping the highest or galloping the fastest.
At Hobby Horse Adventures, we love recognising the riders who bring heart, happiness, and brilliant attitudes to the event. That’s why we’ll be awarding Star of the Day to one younger and one older participant – no matter what classes they’ve entered.
This isn’t about ribbons or results. It’s about:
Our team will be watching throughout the day to see who truly shines – in their own unique way.
The winners will be announced at 3pm, just before our final championship class kicks off.
You don’t need to nominate yourself – just be your lovely hobby-horsing self!
We’ve heard whispers that Crafty Ponies may be attending the event… 👀
They’re known for their adorable plush ponies, educational tack, and more – and they might just be bringing something brand new to Croft Top.
If they do appear, you could be among the first to get a peek at their 2025 hobby horse range, along with some never-before-seen accessories.
Now, we’re not saying anything’s guaranteed – but wouldn’t it be exciting?
We always love it when the community comes together, and having surprise appearances like this adds that extra bit of sparkle to the day.
So keep your eyes peeled on our blog, your ponies polished, and your wallets ready… just in case!
Whether you’re competing or spectating, don’t miss the shopping stalls dotted around the venue. This is your chance to treat yourself (or your horse!) to something special.
Confirmed stallholders include:
There’ll be a range of brands offering:
Bring cash or card – some stalls may be contactless, but not all.
💼 Want to trade? Stall spaces are still available for £50, which is a discounted first-year rate.
We love supporting independent makers and hobby horse businesses, so if you’ve got something exciting to share, get involved!
Sponsoring a class is a fab way to support the event while getting your name or brand in front of a brilliant bunch of hobby horse fans.
For £25 per class, you’ll be helping us provide even better rosettes, prizes, and a full day of fun for everyone involved.
As a class sponsor, you’ll:
Want to go the extra trot? You can sponsor more than one class – and if it’s a hit this year, there’ll be more opportunities as the championship grows.
Interested? Pop us a message or head to our Sponsor a Class page to get started.
Let’s make it the most fabulous event of the year, together!
Here’s the practical stuff to help your day run smoothly:
🕙 Arrival time: Doors open at 10am – please arrive early to check in and warm up.
📍 Location: Croft Top Equestrian Centre, BB5 2DP
🍽️ Café onsite: Serving drinks, snacks, and meals throughout the day
🚻 Toilets: Inside the main building
🐕 Dogs: May be allowed on leads – TBC
🪑 Seating: Limited – bring your own camping chairs if you’d like!
💡 Top Tips:
All updates and ring announcements will be made on the day – so make sure you’re listening out or have a friend nearby keeping track.
It’s going to be a full-on, joyful, rosette-filled kind of day!
Hobby Horse Adventures provides all the equipment, organisation, and pony-powered energy – but please remember that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the event.
We do everything we can to make the day safe, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone, and we’ve got the right people on-site to support that:
That said, this is a parentally supervised event – so you’re responsible for your rider’s wellbeing, behaviour, and general horsey happiness.
📸 Please be mindful when taking photos or videos – respect other people’s privacy, and feel free to tag us in the ones you’re proud of!
And finally, while we’ll have lots of signage and support around, Hobby Horse Adventures cannot accept responsibility for accidents, injuries, or theft – so please keep your belongings close and your hobby horses closer.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Croft Top for the Hobby Horse Championship 2025! Whether you’re there to compete, cheer someone on, or soak up the silliness, it’s going to be an absolute blast.
Don’t forget to book online to get your discounts and secure your classes. Bring your biggest smile, bounciest steps, and favourite horsey outfit. We’ll bring the rosettes, music, laughter, and a field full of fun.
🐴 Let’s ride into an unforgettable day – see you at the start line!
Hobby Horse Adventures warmly invites you to join the Spring Eventing Carnival at Thoresby Park, hosted by BEDE Events, on
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