With the Winter Ball now just under two weeks away, the British Eventing Support Trust ball committee is working tirelessly behind the scenes to create an unforgettable evening, and the generosity of our supporters continues to amaze us.
As well as our silent auction (and you can view and bid on those lots here), we have a live auction on the night. Our guests will have the chance to win some incredible prizes that have been donated by amazing individuals and businesses who support our mission and want to help us raise vital funds for riders in need. Their generosity plays a crucial part in making the Winter Ball our biggest fundraising event of the season.
In this blog we’re delighted to share a preview of the exclusive experiences and unique items that will be available to bid on during the live auction. If you are not attending the Ball you may still bid on the live auction prizes by contacting events@besupporttrust.org.uk before midday on Saturday 29th November to request a telephone bid or a proxy bid.
Commissioned Equine Portrait Photoshoot, kindly donated by Mark Harvey Photography
This bespoke experience is an amazing opportunity for any horse owner! It gives the winning bidder the chance to spend the day with renowned equine photographer Mark Harvey. Over the last 20 years, Mark has established a remarkable reputation in equestrian photography, working with leading names including eventing legends Mary King and William Fox-Pitt. His work has even been acquired by The National Portrait Gallery, and now this is your chance to own his work. The prize includes:
- A full day photoshoot with Mark at a location of your choice (within 120 miles of London)
- A private viewing session to select your final artwork
- A 30” x 20” mounted archival pigment print, signed by Mark and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity
- A rare chance to capture your horse in truly timeless style and to own a piece of original art created just for you.
Luxury Camping at the Badminton Retreat and 2026 Mars Badminton Membership, kindly donated by MARS Badminton Horse Trials and The Badminton Retreat
If Badminton Horse Trials is a firm fixture in your annual calendar but you dream of experiencing the whole week in total comfort, this prize is for you. Our winner will enjoy a six-night stay at The Badminton Retreat during the 2026 horse trials, which run from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th of May.
Offering the ultimate in luxury glamping, each Badminton Retreat tent is furnished with comfortable beds, lighting and heating and electric power points for charging devices or powering hair dryers. Guests will also enjoy exclusive access to:
- A private lounge
- Sparkling clean guest-only loos and hot showers
- Retreat Spa facilities, including hot tubs for a post course-walk soak
- Priority dining reservations at the Retreat Restaurant
The prize also includes:
- A car pass and two badges to the entire Badminton week
- A behind-the-scenes stable tour on Thursday or Friday
- Two arena seats for Sunday’s showjumping finale
This is a fabulous way to experience one of the world’s most iconic equestrian events and enjoy stylish, comfortable accommodation throughout.
The chance to compete at the Longines Global Champions Tour 2026 in London, kindly donated by Ian and Claire Barratt
An extraordinary, truly money-can’t-buy opportunity for a talented show jumper, this prize gives the winning bidder the chance to compete at the London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2026.
Hosted at the prestigious Royal Hospital Chelsea, this event is one of the standout fixtures on the global show jumping calendar. The world’s top horses and riders come together in the heart of London for a weekend of exceptional sport, and this prize will place you in the arena alongside them.
The competition runs from Friday the 7th of August to Sunday the 9th of August 2026, and the winning bidder will be able to enter:
- One CSI 2* class each day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- Classes ranging from 1.30m to 1.45m
- With the option to contest the CSI 2 Grand Prix* on the Sunday
In addition to this remarkable riding opportunity, the prize includes:
- VIP hospitality for eight people each day
- A dedicated table overlooking the arena
- Full catering and complimentary bar, including fine wines and champagne
If you’ve dreamt about competing on one of the biggest stages in the showjumping world, this prize is your ticket to take part and enjoy the spectacle from the VIP area too!
Private Hospitality at Royal Ascot on Saturday 20th of June 2026, kindly donated by Ian and Claire Barratt
One of the most iconic events in the British sporting and social calendar, Royal Ascot is synonymous with world-class racing, elegance and celebration. This exceptional prize offers the winner the chance to experience the Saturday of Royal Ascot in complete luxury. Our winning bidder will enjoy:
- A private hospitality box overlooking the finishing straight and a private balcony with outstanding racecourse views
- Full buffet lunch and afternoon tea
- A complimentary bar available throughout the day
- The box accommodates up to 18 guests, making it ideal for entertaining friends, family or clients.
- All attendees will be provided with Royal Enclosure badges, giving access to the most sought-after areas of the racecourse (subject to compliance with the Royal Enclosure dress code).
This is a truly spectacular way to experience one of Britain’s most prestigious racing days, and a prize that money simply cannot buy.
Hunter Laing ‘Old & Rare’ Springbank 30-Year-Old Single Malt, kindly donated by Hunter Laing & Company
A true collector’s item, this exceptional bottle of Springbank 30-Year-Old single malt comes from Hunter Laing’s prestigious Old & Rare range.
As a family-owned business with roots stretching back to the 1940s, the Laing family has curated one of Scotland’s most extraordinary collections of long-aged single cask whiskies. Only 139 bottles of this particular release exist, making it a real treasure for the whisky connoisseur.
Distilled at Springbank and drawn from a refill barrel, this whisky has been bottled at its natural cask strength of 50.8%, with no chill filtration or colouring, and is presented in a polished wooden box. The number for this bottle is 007 our very own Ian Stark would be very happy to sign the bottle if this appealed.
Tasting notes include:
Nose: dried apricots, raspberries, leather, camphor and menthol
Palate: lemon zest, yellow apple, chocolate orange, caramel and sandalwood
Finish: long, sweet and gently smoky
This is a remarkable bottle for any whisky lover or serious collector, so make sure you get ready to place your bids on the night if you’d like to win it!
A Day’s Shooting at Aston-le-Walls with fellow guns from the eventing and showjumping world, kindly donated by Nigel Taylor.
Enjoy an exceptional day’s shooting set amidst the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside at Aston-le-Walls, home of Washbrook Farm (NN11 6RT). This exclusive 250–300 bird day offers a rare opportunity to join some of Britain’s most celebrated equestrian figures for an unforgettable sporting experience.
Three pegs are available for you and your guests to shoot alongside an extraordinary line-up of riders:
Show Jumpers: David Broome, John Ledingham, William Funnell
Eventers: Richard Waygood, Tom McEwen, Captain Mark Phillips
Your day will include full hospitality and refreshments throughout, ensuring comfort and camaraderie from the first drive to the last. The prize also includes a dinner the evening before (venue to be confirmed), offering the chance to meet your fellow guns and enjoy a relaxed start to the experience.
This prestigious shoot was featured in The Field magazine’s Christmas edition, highlighting its reputation as one of the sport’s standout days.
A truly exceptional opportunity—memorable, sociable, and steeped in sporting tradition.
Private Box for 12 at Royal Windsor Racecourse, kindly donated by Arena Racing Company
Our final live auction prize for 2025 offers a memorable day or evening for up to 12 guests at Royal Windsor Racecourse, home of Monday Night Racing.
The winning bidder will enjoy the comfort and exclusivity of a private hospitality box for them and up to 11 others making it the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, host friends and family or simply enjoy a brilliant day at the races in style.
With stunning views, thrilling racing and the atmosphere for which Royal Windsor is famous, this prize promises an unforgettable experience.
A big ‘thank you’ to our donors and sponsors
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed a prize to this year’s Winter Ball auctions, both the silent and live lots, and our sponsors for the event.
We’re forever grateful to Hambro Sport Horses, whose mission is to pair brilliant riders with a new generation of exceptional British bred horses, for their generous support as drinks sponsor including the champagne reception.
Project Pony, who help source and fund incredible eventing ponies for talented young riders, are our Entertainment Sponsors for 2025. Thanks to their support our guests this year will dance their socks off and enjoy excellent music from start to finish.
We would also like to thank Addo Events for their generous sponsorship of the table centre decorations, Equine Bio Genie who take the reins of the Heads and Tails sponsorship, Hunter Laing who has also got involved in supporting the fun games we have lined up throughout the evening, and Bates Saddles who have generously supported us with a saddle for our Prize Draw (which you can enter here).
The generosity of so many people and businesses means that we will have a truly memorable evening and a huge range of amazing prizes for our supporters to bid on, all helping us raise funds for our work. That enables us to continue supporting British Eventing competing members facing physical and mental health challenges and help us do even more as we look ahead to 2026.
We can’t wait to share an extraordinary night of fundraising, celebration and community with you, and if you’re joining us, get ready to place your bids.