WITH one of Northumberland's iconic events celebrating its tenth anniversary this week, we decided to look back at the event over the years.

The Belsay International Horse Trials began in 2013, founded and organised by Laura and Peter De Wesselow.

Hexham Courant: Katherine Hague trying out the jumps in 2015Katherine Hague trying out the jumps in 2015 (Image: Tony Iley)

The event's headline sponsor, Barbour, features alongside others which this year includes Happy Equine, Finest Properties and AW Jenkinson Forest Products. 

Hexham Courant: Action from jump eight on the Cross Country course at Belsay Horse Trials in 2014Action from jump eight on the Cross Country course at Belsay Horse Trials in 2014 (Image: Kate Miller)

The event is held at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, which has a rich equestrian heritage.

The site is open to the public and is managed by English Heritage.

Hexham Courant: Xanthe De Wesselow at one of the jumps for the Horse Trials at Belsay in 2013Xanthe De Wesselow at one of the jumps for the Horse Trials at Belsay in 2013 (Image: Kate Miller)

The Middleton family, which has owned the estate for more than 800 years, bred and trained racehorses there in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and won the St Leger at Doncaster in 1859.

Hexham Courant: Organiser Laura De Wesselow at one of the fences near Belsay CastleOrganiser Laura De Wesselow at one of the fences near Belsay Castle (Image: Kate Miller)

Laura and Peter live at Belsay and represent the current generation of the Middleton family, alongside a committee of volunteers.

A shopping village is set up for visitors to browse plenty of trade stalls selling everything from jewellery to toys or clothing.

Hexham Courant: Xanthe De Wesselow rides around the course in 2013Xanthe De Wesselow rides around the course in 2013 (Image: Kate Miller)

Food and drink stalls are available along with children's fun rides and entertainment.

The Belsay Dog Show also takes place during the Horse Trials.

Hexham Courant: Laura De Wesselow with a sculpture to commemorate the horses that died during WWI in place for the 2018 annual Belsay Horse Trials Laura De Wesselow with a sculpture to commemorate the horses that died during WWI in place for the 2018 annual Belsay Horse Trials (Image: Kate Buckingham)

The event supports various charities and this year is supporting the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) and the Spinal Research Trust.

Hexham Courant: The inter-hunt relay at the 2018 Belsay Horse TrialsThe inter-hunt relay at the 2018 Belsay Horse Trials (Image: Verity Johnson Photography)

BEST provides support for injured event riders and improves the safety and wellbeing of the people at the heart of the sport.

Hexham Courant: The 2018 Belsay Horse TrialsThe 2018 Belsay Horse Trials (Image: Steven Atkinson)

Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding research around the world to develop effective treatments for spinal cord injury. 

The trials raised more than £5,000 for charity in 2022 for the British Eventing Support Trust and for the humanitarian relief fund organised by British Equestrians for Ukraine.

The Belsay Dog Show was also a success, raising more than £1,000 for the Newcastle Cats and Dog Shelter.

The event supported the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2021 for their efforts to keep the nation going through coronavirus.