Piggy French pictured here at last years test event will now be taking part in the 'real thing' after a run round Barbury this weekened
Barbury Castle Horse Trials is a popular fixture on the British eventing calendar but this year’s event is particularly significant as it will act as the final run for a majority of Olympic bound horses and team riders. Organisers are anticipating a bumper crowd as people flock to the Barbury Estate for an exciting preview of international competitors before they head to Greenwich Park just four weeks later.
Nigel Bunter, owner of Barbury Castle Estate commented, “This year’s horse trials is a significant pre-cursor to the Eventing discipline at the London Olympics and we will ensure the venue is in top condition for competitors and visitors to enjoy.
“We want to encourage as many people to come and join us particularly if they have had no luck in securing Olympic tickets as this is an excellent opportunity to see some of the world’s best horses and riders compete before London 2012”.
The competition culminates with the world-class CIC 3* cross country phase on the Sunday afternoon. The course, designed by Mark Phillips, includes new fences and some changes to the course this year which will aim to make it more horse friendly and provide a flowing run. The event is set on the stunning Marlborough Downs and is regarded as one of the best spectator events in the country with the majority of the cross country fences being visible from the main arena, giving spectators a great view of the riders on the course
There will certainly be plenty of top riders to watch. No doubt all eyes will be on the Olympic hopefuls, particularly the members of the Team GB squad who will be competing on their Olympic mounts; William Fox-Pitt on Lionheart, Kristina Cook on Miners Frolic, Piggy French on DHI Topper W, Mary King on Imperial Cavalier and Zara Phillips on High Kingdom. To add to the Olympic fervour there will also be an Olympic send off/parade for Team GB around the main arena on both the Saturday and the Sunday.
William seen here on one of his up and coming horses at Bramham
From New Zealand, 2012 squad members Andrew Nicholson (Quimbo and Avebury), Clarke Johnstone (Orient Express), Jonathan Paget (Clifton Lush) and Mark Todd (NZB Campino) will be competing; their last event before the New Zealand team announcement on July 3rd. The USA riders have decamped to the UK and have 12 riders competing including Boyd Martin (Remington XXV, Otis Barbotiere and Neville Bardos) and Phillip Dutton (Mystery Whisper and Mighty Nice). The US team will be announced on July 2nd after this mandatory outing for the squad members
Although the Australian team nominations are announced they are still not finalised due to an appeal but Australian riders will also be out in force with Andrew Hoy (Cheeky Calimbo, fresh from a win at Salperton last weekend), Bill Levett (One Two Many NJ), Clayton Fredericks (Waltersdown Don), Chris Burton (Underdiscussion and Kinnordy Rivaldo), Sammi Mcleod (Kintara) and Paul Tapner (Caicos) all listed as starters in the CIC 3*.
Will Andrew Hoy be wearing his distinctive blue hat at Barbury?
As well as CIC 3* there will be a CIC 2* class and Novice class plus an unaffiliated FEI 4* combined training competition, comprising the Olympic 4* dressage test on Friday and 4* showjumping on Friday. This is obviously designed to give Olympic riders the opportunity to ride through the test to be ridden at Greenwich but just how this will work with their horses’ CIC 3* program remains to be seen.
Follow all the action at Barbury here on An Eventful Life where we’ll be bringing you news, updates and Libby Law’s great photo galleries each day. The next best thing to being there ...................
Barbury enlisted the help of rider young top Bristish rider Laura Collett and her horse Natter 'Union'Jack to create a very patriotic promo for the event (not sure what the Aussie horses would think of this!)
Photos: Thanks to Libby Law and Irene Kerr-Muir
