FESTIVAL REVIEWS

Huge critical acclaim has been extended by guests, performers and industry professionals. There's reams of rave reviews below in several carousels which you can scroll left and right.

Year one in 2022 was much loved, but challenging staging such a huge event for the first time. In 2023 four sold out shows with exceptional production values elevated The Festival into a sensational and super high end event. It's a South West home grown show of World class standards. With continuous innovation and improvements, each year it's bigger than ever before.

Use the arrows to scroll left & right on each carousel

Absolutely sublime

Absolutely sublime. We loved it. We look forward to next year to come see you guys again. Safe journey home to all

Jamie Marie Grady
"The Essence of Iberia"

Fantastic achievement! You really captured the essence of Iberia this year as well as our wonderful horses! I loved the 4 Flamenco dancers who did the routine with the wooden staffs, such precision and skill. Thank you for all your hard work and effort

Heather Moffett
Touches your soul

Absolutely amazing and beautiful show, spellbinding, profound touches your soul, unforgettable and magical experience 

Amanda Smith
A wonderful spectacle

Ash Piper's picture has captured one of my favourite parts of the show. Córdoba Ecuestre showed such skill, power, grace and passion, the flamenco, the horsemanship and of course the horses themselves! A wonderful spectacle that will stay with me

Valerie Horlick
Truly spectacular

What an amazing experience. Truly spectacular show, thank you

Eleanor Curtis
Breathtaking

Thursday evening was honestly breathtaking. Your entire team should be so proud

Sophie Sums
Incredible

Thank you Fleur, Paco and your whole team for this incredible show

Frédéric and Magali
Brilliant

Brilliant show, enjoyed every minute!

Christine West
Inspirational riders

An amazing show, beautiful horses, inspirational riders and a great venue

Lisa Davies
Beautiful and emotional

Loved our visit on Sunday! Beautiful and emotional. Best wishes to all the people and the wonderful horses

Brenda Wise
Great atmosphere

We had a great time, the show, food, drink, shopping, great atmosphere

Lynne Brogden
Superb performances

What a wonderful show, superb performances!!

Gill McEvoy
Incredible horses

Loved the Friday evening show. Absolutely incredible horses and horsemanship

Alison Gorringe
Brought tears to my eyes

An amazing evening loved every minute and as others have said one particular performance brought tears to my eyes. Well done to all concerned and see you next year.Thank you

Greta Ireson
Such passion

Yet again breathtaking, even better than last year. Such beautiful horses and such passion.

Christine Devine
Loved every minute

Loved the show every minute of it, absolutely incredible. We were there the first night and it didn't disappoint

Maureen Munro
Beautiful horses

Made me cry; made me laugh...beautiful, beautiful horses and so glad I got to meet this elegant, soulful beauty at the end

Kerenza Jelbert
Tears of Joy

Absolutely incredible show. Brought tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you

Shaz Sharples
Truly amazing

Amazing show. Our family had the most amazing day on the Sunday matinee. Well done to all those who put this show on, it truly was amazing

Phillipa Coates
Thoroughly enjoyed

We thoroughly enjoyed the show, thank you so much

Eileen Brooks
Light and happy

This was the best bit of the show for me. The Doma Vaquera horses were just beautiful- so light and happy in their work

Bex Hallewell Hayward - CEO
Definitely going again

It was so amazing, absolutely loved our day and evening there on Friday. Will definitely be going again next year

Jean Rogers
Awesome show

Congratulations for running such an awesome show and filling all those seats!! I really enjoyed the matinee today after competing yesterday.xx

Andree Lucy
It was amazing

We went on Saturday night. It was amazing the whole show. Thank you all. See you next year xxx

Angie Hole
Roll on next year

It was so very great 2nd year in a roll xx roll on next year xx

Debbie Elliston
Absolutely Incredible

Absolutely Incredible Evening we loved it and can't wait to come again

Matt Goldsmith
Moved us to tears

Loved every moment, moved us to tears at times. Looking forward to seeing you again next yea

Lyz Elliott
Magical evening

Magical evening creating a wonderful experience

Liz Schaad
Great food stalls

We went on Friday night, Amazing show better than last year, also great food stalls to enjoy beforehand. Well done

Debbie Maher
Magical day

Brilliant show awesome and so beautiful I had a magical day thank you to everyone involved

Carol Ann Robinson
Mesmerising and moving

Simply Superb. Thursday night show was mesmerising and moving. Well done to the whole team for an amazing production which will long remain in our hearts and minds

Karen Parkes
Loved it

Loved it beautiful and will love to see it again thank you for travelling to us

Caroline Cann
Fantastic

Fantastic a truly unbelievable show

Catherine Parker
One of the best.

What a great late birthday present four days down westpoint Devon county show ground seen lots of tremendous displays over the years and that was one of the best. Frederic Pignon topped it

Andy Hickman
Skiĺl passion intrigue

Skiĺl passion intrigue so much emotion from the artist with so nany horses. Unforgettable

Sarah Jane Winship
Unforgettable

Thank you for all your showmanship and hard work and the same to all of the horses of course !! Saturday evening was unforgettable XX

Jo Ellis
Absolutely stunning!

I bought tickets and drove my Mum (79) from Dorset to see your show, within 30 seconds we were both in tears, absolutely stunning! The connection between horses and owners absolutely beautiful, well done all round, absolutely loved our time shared with you

Lynn Conlin
Wonderful show

Thank you for a wonderful show, it was amazing

Christine Jinks
incredibly memorable

Amazing, Thankyou for an incredibly memorable evening

Katherine Irwin
Amazing

What an incredible show it was amazing to watch all the super stars

Aga Pomes
Wonderful experience

Thank you for a wonderful experience

Barbara Dixon
The lift I needed

This was the lift I needed to watch this amazing show of horsemanship passion and work put in by everyone, with so much pleasure in what they do

Kim Northcott
Costumes were heavenly

Absolutely stunning, beautiful riding, beautiful horse and the costumes were heavenly

Isobel Street
Sound and lighting fantastic

It was amazing the sound and lighting was fantastic and really set the atmosphere. Thank you everyone for making it possible

Emma Hudson
Couldn't have been done better

The show was fantastic, well done. Wouldn't want to miss any of it... Couldn't have been done better. XXX

Sue Boylett
Highly emotive

Brilliant performance and highly emotive watching the beauty of the horse and their interactions with Frederic

Linda Smith
Special experience

Thank you to everyone involved for such a special experience can’t wait until next year.x

Hana Had
Absolutely breathtaking

Absolutely breathtaking and magical

Barbara Pincombe
One of the best things I have ever seen

t was one of the best things I have ever seen -I was there on Saturday and watched the evening show and it was breathtaking x

Melissa CottrellI
I actually shed tears of joy

Feeling so grateful to have spent the First and Last days of the show with these magnificent, Magical and truly Breathtaking Horses. The beauty of these Awesome creatures and the bond between them and their Human Companions is palpable. I actually shed tears of joy. An experience I will NEVER forget.

Nuala Sikorski
The real deal

They were incredible... It’s rare to see such fantastic riding these days, absolutely THE REAL DEAL

Perry Wood
Bravo

Truly magical. Bravo

Nuala Sikorski
Wow wow wow!

Wow wow wow! Definitely will be back next year with my friend and some of our children. It was amazing. Thank you so much! I don’t get away from the farm often, it was such a treat xxx

Hannah Palmer
They were fantastic

They were fantastic and very personable and kind showing us their horses outside. So generous of them 

Katie Sivier
Inspirational

Inspirational, I loved it

Claire Pittard
Superb horsemanship

Absolutely incredible time watching this show, with superb horsemanship with with these beautiful horses

David Reece
Harmony and artistry

This was just stunning to watch, beautiful harmony and artistry combined

Ele Milwright
Class and dignity

Such class and dignity THE most beautiful animal.

Reviewer Name
So touching,

This horse was so touching, I cried. It was such an amazing day, which I will never forget, especially this beautiful horse. Thank you from the bottom of my heart xx

Reviewer Name - Janet Wharton
Rare and precious

Total Majic ….very rare and precious in these hard fought days …. reduced me to tears when l watched on the Thursday show

Sue Saunders
Amazed

Yes was amazed how she was doing side saddle, what other performers were doing astride!

Felicia Fai
Many highlights

One of the many highlights - such a memorable moment when this dancer and horse met together forehead to forehead ..Breathtaking

Gill Ward
Never forgotten

Once seen, never forgotten

Sue Boylett
A million times thank you

I was there to hear and feel the love and majesty and the powerful connection between horse and humans. Thank you, a million times thank you for the wonderful experience. Bravo x x

Nuala Sikorski
Absolutely stunning!

That was the most moving part of the show. I almost shed a tear, probably would have done if there weren’t so many people around. Absolutely stunning!

Natasha Faye Hopkins
Reach into your inner soul

So beautiful, powerful creatures that reach into your inner soul & heal you

Jackie Gage
Such a treat!

I loved them! Such a treat!

Aga Karmol
Fabulous!

It was fabulous!

Loved

I loved how the rider and horse moved around the dancers xx

Reviewer Name - Christine Jinks
Out of this world

Out of this world

Loz Manch
Enhorabuena

Enhorabuena y Muchos Éxitos Ole

Reviewer Name - Vivian Austin
Incredible skill

Incredible skill and beauty xxx

Pamela Manning
Magical

It was truly magical!

Linda Terrett
Spectacular

What a spectacular thing to have watched xx

A - C Dressage Training
Incredible

The hours and effort that’s been put into this show is incredible! Don’t need to say it again but I will, it was one of the best put together performances I have seen yet! 

Aston Alicia Hill
So moving

Wiped me out, it was so moving

Julia Todd
Regal

So regal. Fabulous show

Marilynn David
Palpable Love

Met Frederick at Exeter Show. The love between him and his horses is palpable.

Marilynn David
Fabulous

These guys were fabulous to watch

Courtenay Howard
Amazing

It was an amazing show

Sharon Avison
Breathtaking

His horses were absolutely breathtaking

Judy Gibson
incredible performances

This was my highlight of the show incredible performances. Loved every minute of it - we came for the matinee on the Sunday

Sarah Jenner
Incredible

They were incredible horses and riders

Katie McGahey
Spectacular

We all enjoyed the whole day on Sunday. It was spectacular & appreciated all the performances

Janet Wharton
Magical

The way his horses look at him and play is magical!

Rosemary Brierley
Controlled pirouettes

This was fantastic, have never seen such controlled pirouettes

Jenny Greenway
Awesome Event

If next year is anything like this years Show just let me know when the tickets are on sale and I’ll be there. Thank you to EVERYONE for all your great work in putting this Awesome Event together. Bravo Ole!

Nuala Sikorski
Truly memorable

Thank you for coming to the UK with your fabulous horses. Loved the show and meeting all the breeds outside It was a truly memorable experience x

Karen Kempsell - CEO
Magnificent horses

Brought my grand daughter from the Isles of Scilly especially to see you. Worth every minute and such magnificent horses

Pamela Manning
Unbelievable love

See you again next year unbelievable love and emotion

Sarah Jane Winship
Brilliant day

Twas a brilliant day and even better evening xxx

Jackie Macartney
Deep connection

That feeling when he came out will never leave me, such a deep connection with every single audience member in awe of Lancelot maybe we should add the Sir he has earned it!

Katie Sivier
Can't thank everyone enough

Can't thank everyone enough for all that goes into creating such a moment for us all to enjoy & be a part of x x

Katherine Dunkin
Mesmerising

A spectacular horse woman, the bond between a woman and a horse was mesmerising

Katy Parsons
Congratulations

Huge congratulations to you all it was a great show!

Russells Equestrian Centre
Fantastic day and evening

It was an incredible show and we cannot thank you and your team enough for them going above and beyond when we lost our tickets! we had a fantastic day and evening, thank you

Paige Seldon
Absolutely awesome

It was an absolutely awesome show! Fantastic experience. Thank you so much everybody

Loz Manch
Fabulous show.

Thank you for a fabulous show. It was amazing

Justine Fieldhouse
My advice is not to miss it

For people that are far away, I went last year and it is well worth travelling far to see this amazing performance there is plenty of accommodation nearby, and easy accessible from the M5, my advice is not to miss it as it is incredible.

Chris Potter
Music ingeniously chosen

I just wanted to write and thank everyone involved for what was without doubt one of the best evenings of my whole life. Everything was so beautiful and the music ingeniously chosen to suit all tastes and to cause us to feel the atmosphere of Spain. The wonderful relationship of the trainer with the loose horses in the arena is something I have witnessed before and it made my heart sing. Please pass on my comments to everyone involved. It was a truly wonderful time.

Nicky King
Speechless! Spectacular evening

Speechless! Spectacular evening I am absolutely blown away by these incredible animals. Emotional at times, beautiful music & magical mesmerising routines, these trainers are incredible! Feeling blessed to have experienced this... No videos I can share would never do it justice, you just have to go! The love shows! Great sound & lighting too with Nub Sound

Sammy Lou - CEO
Fantastic showcase

Thank you to all the team that put this spectacular show on. I attended the evening event on Saturday and the atmosphere was amazing - not only was it a fantastic showcase of all things Iberian but it felt so very welcoming. You strive for something special and you delivered in bucket loads. Incredible stuff!

Claire Incledon
So moving

Hi I would just like to say how wonderful the show was on Thursday evening. It was so moving in parts, cleverly choreographed and with such wonderful expertise by the riders. A truly wonderful evening, thank you

Barbara Holloway
Fantastic time

I wanted to say thank you for all the work that went in to the festival this year and that our group of RDA volunteers who manned our stand had a fantastic time and got a lot of interest! If there was a possibility of having a stand at the festival in 2024, we'd be very grateful! Thank you so much for reaching out to us this year, it was a brilliant opportunity to broaden our reach and network with other charities working in the area doing similar things which was fantastic!

Stevie Shanahan
Stunning displays

Fabulous - all the displays are stunning, beautiful horses and their riders.

Julia Todd
The most wonderful experience

The most wonderful experience I’ve had in a very long time Exeter Arena August 31st to September 3rd this year. Looking forward to the next event - thoroughly recommend for horselovers especially but all animal lovers in general.

Nuala Sikorski
Incredible

One of the most incredible things I had ever seen had the pleasure of meeting him and getting a photo and my wallet signed before the show

Daniel Morley
Wonderful

Came to see the show this year. Wonderful and hope to do so again next year!

Brenda Wise
Superb horsemanship

Absolutely incredible time watching this show, with superb horsemanship with with these beautiful horses

David Reece
MESMERISING and perfectly produced

We enjoyed the perfect combination of skillful riding training and horsemanship with amazing light show and sound- boom boom spectacular!!! Great entertaining and emotional evening with theatrical setting, high level Doma Vaquera, liberty displays and stunning horses. MESMERISING and perfectly produced

Perry Wood
Mind blowing

The creation and execution was mind blowing. As a spectator I loved all of it. As a Competitor I loved all of it!! Especially the surface rode brilliantly this year. Thank you all xx

Andree Lucy
Outstanding success

The show was an outstanding success, congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen!!!

Amanda Element
Such a treat

It was my first time this year wow wow wow! Definitely will be back next year with my friend and some of our children. It was amazing. Thank you so much! I don’t get away from the farm often, it was such a treat xxx

Hannah Palmer
So much passion

Beautiful just what I needed people enjoying what they do and I love to see so much passion for their horses, absolutely beautiful

Kim Northcott
Huge arena show

A fantastic, and huge, arena show

Suzanne Chamberlain
Incredible acts

Fabulous gala show very lucky to see such incredible acts and horsemanship

Helene Westwood
Amazing experience

It was an amazing experience to be a part of. Thank you for having us and we look forward to being back next year!!!

Katharina Rayner
So happy

All of us at The Cornmill Stud - Rocky Mountain Horses loved the experience and we were so happy to show off our special gaited horses to so many people

Marie Brittendon
Truly wonderful show

Truly wonderful show, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves can’t wait until next year 

Michelle Snelling
Flawless synchronised riding

The highlights of night shows were Córdoba Ecuestre with their flawless synchronised riding and Magali Delgado and Frederic Pignon - theatrical display of music, light and horsemenship

Aga Karmol
Epic

Last night was epic

Jill Keane
Absolutely fantastic

Thanks for putting on an absolutely fantastic Iberian extravaganza we had a blast!!

Janine Pendlebury-Lee
Loved

I absolutely loved the show

Mel Annear
Incredibly brilliant

This was amazing, even better than last year. Incredibly brilliant work

Louise Austin
Heavenly

It was heavenly

Elise Ellicott
Highly entertaining great show

IF YOU ARE THINKING of going to this event DO IT, highly entertaining great show, the Spanish horses and riders of the royal school of Cordoba were SUPERB, the atmos was great, loved the masterful demo of working equitation by Paulo Santos dude! All in all a must-see horse lovers feast!

Perry Wood
Oh what a night!

Oh what a night! Simply Superb! Congrats to all involved in producing a wonderful spectacular evening

Gill Ward
Really enjoyed

Really enjoyed the show again this year

Helen Crossley
Amazing night

Amazing night. thank you to everyone involved..what an achievement absolutely LOVED it..

Katherine Dunkin
Such magic, unbelievable

The Lady and the horse disappeared and another appeared, such magic, unbelievable

Chris Potter
Much more than technically great,

I have been very proud to have been a small part in a performance by Magali Delgado & Frédéric Pignon: la passion des chevaux in her butterfly act. I’m so impressed by their costumes, music and theme making their pieces so much more than technically great, but entertaining for everyone.

Alison Zuend
Very very special show!

Went this year with my horse mad (adult) daughter. If I could only use one word it would be Magical! Very very special show!

Gail Backett
Showground atmosphere

Was there representing Equine Touch and absolutely loved the show. also loved the evening and afternoon showground atmosphere. Met lots of amazing people, thank you

Alison Ball
Will come again

Had a great time, will come again next year

Natasha Charles
Fantastic Day

Fantastic Day

Jayne Bowen-Davies
Loved every minute

A brilliant evening, loved every minute

Mary Prentic
Masterfully put together

Next year we plan to come on the Saturday and see some showing. Fabulous show, masterfully put together and ran as far as we could see as smooth as silk … loved it

Sue Rose
Spectacular

We all enjoyed the whole day on Sunday. It was spectacular & appreciated all the performances

Janet Wharton
Incredible

Thank you Fleur, Paco and all of your team for this incredible show

Frederic and Magali
Wonderful

Thank you it was wonderful

Claire Incledon
Absolutely amazing

Absolutely amazing show. And I’m not really a horsey person. But I’ll be going again if it happens next year!

Jayne Beresford
Such a spectacle

What a busy weekend - Well done to the organizers, riders, and volunteers who worked so hard to produce such a spectacle

Westpoint
So emotional

Fantastic show..beautiful horses.. and so emotional to see the bond between horses and people x

Mary Davey
I loved it!

I loved it! Well done to all concerned and bon voyage on your next journey.

Linda Terrett
Amazing

Was amazing loved every minute

Julia Lyons
Fantastic horsemanship

It was an amazing show, fantastic horsemanship with stunning horses!!

Di Moxey
Fantastic

Fantastic show xx

Hayley Boyce

Reviews From 2022