Leading international equestrian sports network Horse & Country (H&C) has announced the return of its top-rated reality show, All Star Academy for a sixth series. In an exciting new development, filming will take place at Hartpury University and Hartpury College this summer. Blackfort Equestrian have also been announced as title sponsors.
Blackfort Equestrian All Star Academy will feature eight hopeful riders competing for the crown of All Star Champion. This year, for the first time ever, applications will be open to contestants from the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe, reflecting H&C’s large and growing audience. Auditions run through to 16 June.
Megan Elphick will host the Blackfort Equestrian All Star Academy, along with co-presenter Charlie Hutton. They’ll be joined by a stellar line up of celebrity riding talent who will coach and cajole the contestants through a series of challenges designed to test their skill, courage and, most importantly, the strength of their relationship with their horse.
Making a welcome return from the last series, former contestant Tina Wallace (aka Life on the Left Rein), will cover events behind the scenes. International dressage trainer and H&C legend Pammy Hutton will also be on hand to keep everyone in check.
Jonathan Rippon, H&C’S Director of Content, said: “I’m delighted to bring back this iconic series in partnership with our friends at Blackfort Equestrian. Viewers can look forward to a whole raft of new, never-seen-before challenges for the contestants that will deliver the tense competition and entertainment the audience has come to expect.”
Phillip Cheetham, Equine Director at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: “Staff and students are very excited about Hartpury becoming the host venue for the All Star Academy. We’re very proud of our world-class facilities, educational programmes, and industry-shaping research, and can’t wait to share part of this with the contestants, their horses, and the wider H&C audience.
“The partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to lifelong learning, and the importance of always aiming to be better horsemen and women for the good of our horses - whether riding competitively or simply taking care of and spending time around these incredible animals.”
Molly Kaye, Founder of Blackfort Equestrian, said: “As we celebrate our fifth year in business, the team and I are incredibly excited to join the All Star Academy in 2025. For myself, as an amateur equestrian, taking part is what matters. We’re not world-beating equestrians here at Blackfort, we’re just about the everyday horse owner and most importantly, the love of the horse. We love that our ethos matches that of the All Star Academy.”
As with previous series’, Blackfort Equestrian All Star Academy will be produced for H&C by Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes’ company Harkaway Media.
To watch, make sure you are signed up to H&C+ here.
