Eventers in the southwest of Great-Britain will benefit from having an international eventing venue in the region, as Bicton Arena is to host CIC1* and CIC2* classes for the first time in 2015. Eventing rider Helen West, who became equestrian event manager at Bicton last year, is behind the move. The venue, between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton, already attracts around 10,000 competing horses a year and hosts affiliated showjumping, dressage and eventing, as well as myriad camps and training days. It has two, large, all-weather arenas and more than 100 cross-country fences. The venue ran classes up to BE advanced level until 2006. There was then a break of four years until it returned to the calendar as a novice event in 2010. The first international competition will take place in August 2015.
