Chris Burton is one of the big names heading to Gatcombe
It is ‘business as usual’ for The Festival of British Eventing, presented by The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) taking place at Gatcombe Park from 2-4 August 2013.
In the park itself, the stage is well and truly set for a bumper weekend of competition, which will include The British Eventing Open Championship with its first prize of £5,000, the Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship and the British Novice Championship as well an Advanced Class. After the cancellation in 2012, combinations that had qualified for the finals last year have also had the opportunity to ‘roll over’ their qualification to this year, meaning competition for the three championship titles will be particularly fierce.
Like all the other courses, the British Eventing Open track, designed by Captain Mark Phillips, stayed under wraps last year due to the weather, will contain some familiar fences but also a raft of new questions. Commenting on the course Captain Phillips said: “The upshot of having to cancel the event in 2012 is that we now have a park that’s looking more pristine than ever. The re-seeding that took place for last year’s event has resulted in a great covering of thick grass. Hopefully riders will enjoy the slightly different feel to this year’s courses.”
As always there are a number of influential fences on the British Eventing Open track which this year has CIC*** status and with the undulating parkland at Gatcombe Park which tests the fitness and stamina of both horse and rider, the winner of the prestigious British Eventing Open Championship will be a worthy champion and one to watch for the future.
Impressive marquees, installed by the Accio Group, will provide perfect ringside seats overlooking the main arena to enjoy the show jumping action and watch the myriad of displays, including Ye Olde Red Tail Falconry display team, the Kennel Club Dog Agility and the Shetland Pony Grand National. Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifying classes and the BETA Pony Club Inter-Branch Show Jumping will also feature on Friday 2 August. National Hunt legend Kauto Star will be taking part in a Retraining of Racehorses display on Sunday, and there will also be the very elegant ‘Dressage to Music’.
Excellent entries have been received for the three Championship classes The British Eventing Open Championship, the Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship and the British Novice Championship. The Advanced Class also has an impressive entry list and everyone will be hoping to go home with some of the many prizes on offer over the weekend.
290 entries have been received to date with 65 entered for the British Open, 94 in the Intermediate Championship, 76 in the British Novice Championship and 55 entered for the Advanced Class.
Names to watch out for over the three days of competition include – all of our British Senior European Championship team members - Kristina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell -reigning 2011 British National Champion, young rider Tom McEwen, Izzy Taylor, and Lucy Wiegersma.
Additional challengers include 2011 British Eventing Open Champion and current World number one ranked rider Andrew Nicholson and Nereo with a variety of other horses including his 2012 Land Rover Burghley and recent Barbury winner Avebury. The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials winner Jock Paget (NZL) and Clifton Promise as well as Clifton Lush.
Reigning 2011 Novice Champion, Oliver Townend (GBR) brings Armada and Neo Du Breuil and a number of other challengers. Bill Levett (AUS) has entered his recent Saumur winner Shannondale Titan. Nicola Wilson (GBR) brings one of the nation’s favorite – Opposition Buzz.
Other top names include Aoife Clark (IRL), Kitty King (GBR), Christopher Burton (AUS), reigning 2011 Intermediate Champion Angus Smales (GBR), local rider Beanie Sturgis (GBR), Mark Todd (NZL) as well as mother and daughter team – Mary and Emily King (GBR).
One of the special prizes on offer includes the Horse Trials Support Group Training Bursary of £1,000 for the highest placed British rider under 25 years of age in the British Eventing Open Championship.
Captain Mark Phillips commented: “The calibre of entries this year are outstanding and it will be a very competitive weekend. The Festival gives the riders the opportunity to demonstrate the talents of not only their very best horses but also the stars of the future which makes this weekend extra special”.
With a magnificent field of riders taking part The Festival promises to be a spectacle of equestrian competition as well as offering the whole family opportunities to enjoy a relaxing weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Gatcombe Park.
Tickets bought in advance are available at a discounted rate and can be purchased by visiting www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk. Tickets are also available for the Hamptons International Garden Club, a members only arena-side enclosure.
AEL will be at Gatcombe Park from 2-4 August for this year's Festival of British Eventing providing full coverage for our 4* members
