York horse spectacle at Carlton Towers on 15 August
A family-friendly equine show combining horsemanship, theatrical storytelling, fire stunts and music is coming to Carlton Towers Estate on Saturday 15 August.
Spectacle of Equitation at Carlton Towers – Celebrating the Year of the Horse runs from 10am to 4pm at Carlton Towers, Carlton, Goole DN14 9LZ. Tickets are listed at £17.50 for adults aged 12 and over, £5 for children aged 3 to 12, free entry for under-3s, and £45 for a family ticket covering two adults and three children.
The event is run by Steelehorse – Understanding Horsemanship and is aimed at families, children, adults, horse lovers and visitors looking for a countryside day out with live performance at its centre. Tickets are available via the Visit York website, according to the event listing.
Carlton Towers hosts a theatrical horse show
The day is billed as more than a standard equestrian display. Spectacle of Equitation uses a live legend inspired by the Olympic flame, with a narrator guiding the action and inviting the crowd to cheer heroes and boo villains as the performance unfolds.
The source listing describes the show as a blend of heroic storytelling, horsemanship, fire stunts, music and theatrical spectacle. The production has previously appeared at major UK events including The Game Fair and Blenheim Palace.
At Carlton Towers Estate, the format gives families a structured day around two equine shows, each lasting around 30 minutes. Each performance features four to six horses, with international riders and performers involved.
What families will see during the day
The programme centres on the relationship between horse and rider, with traditional Iberian horsemanship placed alongside modern theatre. The listing includes advanced high-school movements performed under saddle and in-hand, as well as bridleless and bareback riding.
Audiences can also expect horses and dancers moving together, military-style formations, traditional garrocha work and classical movements including bowing, kneeling and laying down.
Fire performers and daring stunts are part of the spectacle, adding a more theatrical edge to the equine display. For younger visitors, the Have a Go Hobby Horse Arena with Hobby Horse Adventures offers a separate interactive space where children can gallop, jump and play in an imaginative horse-themed setting.
Date, tickets and visitor details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Spectacle of Equitation at Carlton Towers – Celebrating the Year of the Horse |
| Date | Saturday 15 August 2026 |
| Time | 10am to 4pm |
| Venue | Carlton Towers Estate |
| Address | Carlton Towers, Carlton, Goole DN14 9LZ |
| Adult tickets | £17.50 for ages 12+ |
| Child tickets | £5 for ages 3 to 12 |
| Under-3s | Free |
| Family ticket | £45 for two adults and three children |
| Organiser | Steelehorse – Understanding Horsemanship |
Dogs are welcome at the event but must be kept on a lead at all times. External food vendors and stallholders are expected to be present, according to the Visit York listing.
Who this York-area event is aimed at
The event is pitched at families looking for a full day out rather than a short arena display. The 10am to 4pm running time gives visitors room to watch the main shows, use the children’s hobby horse area and explore food and stallholder options on site.
It may also appeal to people interested in equestrian performance, classical riding, countryside events and live outdoor entertainment. Steelehorse – Understanding Horsemanship says its work focuses on the connection between horse and human through ethical training, trust and communication.
Visitors planning around the main performances should note that the listing states there will be two shows on the day, with each running for approximately 30 minutes. Booking is listed through the Visit York website.
Source: Visit York Events
Context & actions About this article
Source check Source check
This preview uses the published Visit York event details for date, venue, ticket prices, organiser and programme information.
- Confirmed the event date as Saturday 15 August 2026.
- Matched the running time to the listed 10am to 4pm schedule.
- Used the published Carlton Towers Estate venue and address.
- Checked ticket categories and prices against the event listing.
- Source
- Visit York Events
- Scope
- York
- Updated
- 2026-06-11 18:10
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Comments