ZARA Phillips and William Fox-Pitt are among the stellar names taking part in The Land Rover Gatcombe Park Novice and Intermediate Horse Trials on Saturday, March 25-26.
The event is held at the Home of HRH The Princess Royal at her Gatcombe Park Estate, which is situated near Minchinhampton.
New Zealand Olympians Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson; Sam Griffiths and Christopher Burton from Australia along with Swiss rider Christian Landolt, and Austin O’Conner from Ireland are set to enter.
This year there will be 16 nations represented with riders from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA within the 500 strong entries.
The raft of riders also feature Harry Meade, Daisy Berkley, Nick Gauntlett, Julie Tew, Panda Christie, Kitty King and Frenchman Leonard Goerens who is based in nearby Crudwell.
The event is well known for being a key fixture for these International riders who are actively building up their spring campaign as they seek qualification for entries to the major International events that take place later in the season.
Now in its 24th year of running, with continuous support from Land Rover, the event takes place on a course designed by HRH The Princess Royal, utilising a different area of the Gatcombe Park Estate to that used by the Festival of British Eventing in August.
The event starts at 8am on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday with Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country phases running throughout the weekend.
The event attracts many interesting shops, which will include the Gatcombe Collection. At various times during both days, HRH The Princess Royal will present prizes.
Gatcombe Park is situated at Hampton Fields, mid-way between Minchinhampton and Avening; the event will be signposted from both directions. Spectator admission is £6 for a car and all occupants and £4 for a programme.
For full information about directions, accommodation, course maps, timetable and all entries visit our web site www.gatcombehorsetrials.co.uk
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