FRESH from competing Burghley Horse Trials, Zara Tindall returns to home soil at the The Whatley Manor & Spa International three-day Gatcombe Park Horse Trials, writes John Foden.

Tindall was riding Class Affair when she took a tumble, but quickly brushed off any discomfort sustained.

A raft of top riders will feature, including Gatcombe-based Tom McEwen and Harry Meade, Tim and Jonelle Price, Andrew Nicholson, Dan Jocelyn and Bruce Haskell.

Now in its 24rd year of running, the event takes place on a course which utilises a different area of the Gatcombe Park Estate to that used by the Festival of British Eventing which was held in early August.

This year a completely new CIC-S3* International Cross Country Course has been designed by Mark Phillips whilst the other three courses have, as usual, been designed by HRH The Princess Royal.

The event will start on Friday - Sunday. On the first two days, dressage, show jumping and cross-country phases will run throughout with show jumping and cross country on Sunday.

The event attracts many interesting shops, which will include the Gatcombe Collection. At various times during all three days HRH The Princess Royal will present prizes to successful riders in the various classes.

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