Barbury has received a record number of entries for its international horse trials, taking place in Marlborough, Wiltshire this weekend (28 June to 1 July).

Word class eventing

The three-star event will welcome the world’s top riders, who are using the trials as their last competitive run before the Olympics in Greenwich Park at the end of July.

Team GB will be out in full force, with William Fox-Pitt riding Lionheart; Kristina Cook on her bronze Olympic medal winning Miners Frolic; Piggy French riding DHI Trooper W; five times Olympian Mary King on Imperial Cavalier; and Zara Phillips on High Kingdom.  

International entrants include eventing legends Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson from New Zealand, and Elizabeth Power from Ireland. Waving the flag for Australia will be Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks and Chris Burton – who all have places on the Olympic squad – as well as Paul Tapner and Catherine Burrell. The American team has twelve riders entered, under their chef d'equipe Captain Mark Phillips, who has designed Barbury’s cross country course.

Olympic rehearsal

Along side the three star competition there will be novice and two star events running on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In addition, there is an unaffiliated FEI four star combined training competition. The dressage section will be held on Friday (29 July), and will give Olympic riders the opportunity to ride through the test that will feature in this summer's games.

Nigel Bunter, owner of the Barbury Estate commented: "We are delighted that this year's event has received such a strong entry. The final preparations are now being made to the venue and we want to ensure it provides an excellent competition for Olympic bound horses and riders. It is set to be a unique and fabulous spectacle for visitors." 

Celebrity chefs

As well as the equestrian events, Barbury is to host the Wiltshire County Show and the CGA Festival of Food. Highlights include cookery demonstrations from the likes of Brian Turner CBE, Masterchef finalists Annie Assheton and Andrew Kojima, and Lucknam Park's Michelin starred chef Hywel Jones.

Tickets are £15 on the gate on Saturday and Sunday, with under going 12s free. Entry is free on Thursday and Friday. Highlights and interviews from the event will be on a future episode of Rudall's Round-Up.