A CELEBRATION of everything equine will take place at Sledmere House with their first-ever Festival of the Horse.

The day-long festival, to be held on Sunday, September 11, is in support of the Riding for the Disabled association. It will be spent celebrating everything about horses, including all aspects and disciplines of riding and carriage driving.

Sir Tatton Sykes, whose family has owned Sledmere House and Estate for more than 250 years, said: "I am delighted to be hosting this new event which will celebrate the skills of the horse throughout its historical, leisure and working career."

Throughout the day the Middleton East Pony Club will be holding team and individual showjumping classes for Pony Club members and the North East Retraining of Racehorses Group will be performing their musical drill ride. There will also be an ex-racehorse parade to showcase thoroughbreds.

Martin Watts, festival organiser, who has managed the opening of the stables at Sledmere for visitors, said: "We are very proud of our long and close relationship with all types of horses and how they have been intrinsically linked with the history of Sledmere."

The driving horses will be showing off their talents in a Novice Driving Skill competition, while the heavy horses will be demonstrating farming operations which are carried out throughout a typical farming year, featuring vintage machinery.

The programme also includes dressage demonstrations, breed parade, the Prince Philip mounted games, Highmoor bloodhounds, a question and answer session with equine vets, instinctive horse training, saddle fitters and a farrier.

There will also be equine trade stands for some retail therapy, and carriage rides for children. Refreshments will be available. Parking is free.

For more information, go to sledmerehouse.com