Andrew Nicholson will be defending his title on Avebury
Despite the warnings of hot weather by the organisers for the event at Marlborough in Wiltshire, the forecast temperatures of a sunny 28 degrees this weekend are not likely to bother the Aussie eventers. However, the fact that The Outside Chance, the regular watering hole at Barbury has trebled their order for Pimms and Pol Roger Champagne could have an impact on the Aussies’ chances. Not to mention the extra ice cream............
The event, which runs from Thursday to Sunday has plenty of Australian riders on the entry list. In the CCI 3* Section A, there are;
PAULANK BROCKAGH, Sam Griffiths
PRADA, Lucinda Fredericks
SILVIA, Warren Lamperd
KILRONAN, Paul Tapner
BONZA MOORABINDA, Matt Ryan
PARODIE, Alex Townsend
World number one Andrew Nicholson will be defending his title on last year’s winner Avebury plus he has Nereo and Viscount George entered in the three star classes. There will be also plenty of other Kiwis in attendance including Caroline Powell, Tim Price, Sir Mark Todd, Lizzie Brown and Jonelle Richards. Other leading riders include Mary King, Kristina Cook, Francis Whittington, Pippa Funnell, Laura Collett and Oliver Townend.
Alex Townsend, of the lovely Wallaby Hill Farm in NSW, is calling the UK home for a little while as she campaigns her three horses there for a season. She is also competing her other horses, Bendigo, purchased from Clayton Fredericks last year and Mumbo Jumbo, previously ridden by Sam Griffiths, in the CIC 2* classes. In the CIC 2* Sec D she will be going up against William Fox-Pitt who, amongst his many horses, will be stretching the legs of the great Parklane Hawk in this class.
As well as the eventing classes and the Burghley Young Event Horse, there is plenty happening at the Show with British Showjumping classes, the CGA Festival of Food, The Amazing Bike Show, Sheep and Gun Dog and Birds of Prey displays, a Hound parade and The Lamb National. Horse racing legend Kauto Star is also making a special guest appearance on the final day where he will be ridden by Laura Collett in a demonstration with Yogi Breisner.
Libby Law and Emily Penney will be at Barbury bringing us daily photo galleries and reports for our 4* members. Let’s just hope they don’t get waylaid by champagne and ice cream at The Outside Chance!
Schedule of events
Thursday 4 July
CIC 3* Dressage
CIC 2* Dressage
Novice Dressage
Burghley Young Event Horse
Friday 5 July
CIC 3* Dressage
CIC 2* Dressage
Novice Dressage, Show Jumping, Cross-country
ROR & Junior Trial Dressage
Saturday 6 July
CIC 3* Showjumping
CIC 2*Showjumping
CIC 2* Cross-country
BSJA Showjumping
Sunday 7 July
BSJA Showjumping
Pony Club Showjumping
Inter Hunt Team Relay
ROR Championship Jump off and Prize Giving
Racing Legends parade
CIC 3* Cross-country
