A weekend of exciting top class international competition looks set for this year’s Festival of British Eventing – presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) at Gatcombe Park. A record number of entries have been received for this year’s British Eventing Open Championship incorporating the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing qualifier. Over 100 horses representing nine nations will line up for this major championship, and the only British World Cup qualifier - which is also the last chance for a place in the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final at Strzegom in Poland (August 21-23).

Former British Open Champions; Mary King, Lucy Wiegersma, William Fox-Pitt, Mark Todd (NZ), Andrew Nicholson (NZ) and Clayton Fredericks (AUS) all return for another attempt at the title. Australian Olympic rider Clayton Fredericks is however the only rider in the field to have won both the British Open and the Eventing World Cup. Reigning Open Champion Ruth Edge also returns with three rides entered in the Open including last year’s champion Mayhem III.

A squad of six riders will head across the channel from France - headed by Olympic veteran and team gold medallist Jean Teulere. In addition a large contingent of Irish riders are hoping to make their mark on the class.

The Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship is well supported with 78 entries and among those starting as favourites for the title will be Barbury’s recent two-star winner Flying Machine, one of three entries in this class for the Leicestershire based Piggy French. Racehorse to Riding Horse Champion Corofin Flyer one of two rides for William Fox-Pitt will be another to watch. A record 115 entries will guarantee hot competition for the Dodson & Horrell Novice Championship and two advanced sections will ensure a full timetable of cross-country action starting earlier than normal at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend starts on Friday with dressage for novice and advanced classes, inter-branch Pony Club show jumping, and the final chance for aspiring four and five-year old event horses to qualify for the Burghley Young Event Horse finals.

“Never in the 27 years of competition at Gatcombe Park have we had such a good competition in prospect – I am really looking forward to the weekend,” said Gatcombe Course Designer Captain Mark Phillips. “All of the classes should be very competitive and those riders that go home with a title will be deserving champions.”

Alongside the sporting action a supporting programme of entertainment takes place in the main arena each afternoon with Jemima Parry-Jones MBE of the Gloucestershire based International Centre for Birds of Prey presenting displays with her flying birds and Charlotte Dennis giving displays of her unique approach to natural horsemanship. The mini racing ponies return to contest the Shetland Pony Grand National qualifier and members and volunteers of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) will also be giving a display. This will be a special event at the home of their President, HRH The Princess Royal, for the association that is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Over 100 trade stands provide top quality catering and shopping.

The Gatcombe Festival of British Eventing runs 7th - 9th August 2009.