Captain Phillips Adds Two New Fences to Cross Country Test

ENTRIES close this week for the Festival of British Eventing, which is to be held at Gatcombe Park on August 7-9.

This year is particularly exciting for spectators who will be able to watch the HSBC FEI World Cup qualifier that had to be abandoned due to heavy rain at Chatsworth back in May, as well as the British Eventing Open Championship.

“Hosting the World Cup qualifier will be a challenge for us, but one that we are looking forward to,” said Gatcombe course designer Captain Mark Phillips.

“We have incorporated two new fences to make the cross country course long enough for the World Cup qualifier, but we have had to ‘batten down the hatches’ on the design front.

“It’s not just about new build any more; portable fences with a longer life expectancy are increasingly being utilised.”

Phillips was also keen to point out the move away from ‘endurance’ eventing towards a more achievable time on the course.

“More riders than ever should be able to get round without time faults,” said the world-renowned course designer. “I don’t think anybody would want the cross-country not to be influential, but the cream will rise to the top.”

Riders at Gatcombe will also have the chance to win the Open Championship, with the highest- placed British rider being crowned National Champion, a title currently held by Ruth Edge. The Dobson and Horrell Novice Championship and the Smith and Williamson Intermediate Championship will also see the stars of the future on centre stage.

Competition starts on Friday with the Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse qualifier, which marks the start of a whole weekend of family entertainment – not forgetting more than 100 trade stands. For more details, go to www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk.

SPECTATORS can also expect a feast of entertainment at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage, Maisemore, near Gloucester, between July 15 and 19.

More than 200 well known and up-and-coming riders and horses head for Hartpury College to compete in a wide range of competitions in the majestic Indoor and Outdoor Arenas.

Newent-based Carl Hester, just back from British team bronze medal success in Aachen, heads the list, and Paralympic gold medallists Lee Pearson, Simon Laurens (from Birdlip) and Sophie Christiansen will be on their mettle as they build up to the European Para-Equestrian Championships in Norway.

The action starts with the FEI CPED13* International Para Dressage Competition Team tests on Wednesday, July 15. The Individual Championship tests come on Thursday, and the FEI Para Freestyle tests on Friday, all sponsored by The Markey Group in the Indoor Arena.

The Premier League runs all day Wednesday and Thursday, with the FEI Prix St George’s and FEI Grand Prix on Friday. Saturday sees the four, five and six-year-old Shearwater Young Horse Championships in action and the very special gala evening with the FEI CDI Grand Prix Freestyle and the unusual Circomedia Trapeze display. Sunday includes the Pony, Junior and Young Rider Team tests, and from 12.45 the Pegasus FEI CDI Intermediate I Freestyle and the Devoucoux FEI CDI Grand Prix Special.

Cost to get in is £5 per person per day for all five days. On Saturday there is also a £20 day ticket to include the Gala Evening Performance. The VIP four-course dinner including wine and Champagne reception is £65 per person, obtainable through dressage.tickets@hartpury.ac.uk SUNDAY saw the final of the Ladbrokes.com Queen Mother Trophy at Cirencester Park.

This is one of the two 12-goal HPA tournaments the club hosts and, as usual, attracted some of the best teams in the country.

This year local team Apes Hill gained a narrow 6-5 victory over visitors Dubai Falcons on the world famous Ivy Lodge ground.

Apes Hill took an early lead with a fantastic goal by captain Tom Morley, however the fighting spirit of the talented Argentines Iriate and Deverent kept the game alive.

Young Ollie Cudmore once again played well above his handicap. Tom Hunt, of Apes Hill, was named most valuable player and presented with the Gourlay Bowl.

The Corinium Bowl, also played on Sunday was won by a strong Englefield/Prestige team, who snatched victory from Coppid Owls/Ridgebacks.

The day saw sponsors Ladbrokes.com present a donation to The Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract to support their invaluable work.

There is polo throughout the summer and visitors are very welcome on a Sunday afternoon (car entry is only £15).

This Saturday is the School and Universities Polo Championships and Sunday, July 12 sees a charity day in aid of St Richard’s Hospice.