A world class field heads to The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park in August.

Tapner has championships in his sight

Australian rider Paul Tapner and Inonothing, the on-form combination of the season, now have the British Eventing British Open Championship in their sights. This year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials winners are one of the entries for the Championship class, the highlight of The Festival of British Eventing, presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), to be held at Gatcombe Park (August 6-8).

With three strong entries Paul Tapner will be one of the favourites for the title of British Open Champion. Barbury three-star winner Nicola Wilson, British number one Oliver Townend, British team member Mary King and New Zealander Caroline Powell also have multiple entries while last year’s third placed combination of Australian rider Bill Levett and Hippolyte will be looking to add this one to their CV.

Will Ruth have the Edge?

With a record 101 entries, competition will be hot in the Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship. Reigning British Open Champion Ruth Edge will be a formidable contender for this title, which she won on Two Thyme in 2002, with two entries Applejack II and Elite Opposition, while former three-times intermediate champion William Fox-Pitt has a strong hand of three including Oslo, runner up in the world six-year-old championships last year. European silver medallist Piggy French (Picasso), former Badminton and Burghley winner Lucinda Fredericks (Prada), Mary King (King Albert) and veteran New Zealander Andrew Nicholson (Qwanza) will all be vying for the title.

The Dodson & Horrell Novice Championship, now in its ninth year, is also a fiercely fought championship and over 70 combinations will come under starter’s orders in this class. Added to these three championships are two advanced sections ensuring a full timetable of cross-country action on both Saturday and Sunday.

The competition kicks off on Friday with dressage for novice and advanced classes, inter-branch Pony Club Show Jumping sponsored by BETA and the opportunity for four and five-year old potential event horses to qualify for the Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse finals.

“As always the aim at The Festival is to provide a full and enjoyable weekend that brings together top sporting action with family entertainment,” said Director Tim Henson. “World class riders and horses combined with Captain Phillips cross-country courses in the unique setting of Gatcombe Park always make for an exciting weekend of top class eventing for riders and spectators alike. Good entries for all the championships ensure that they will be keenly contested and those riders that go home with a title will be deserving British Champions.”