Andrew Nicholson will be back at Barbury in 2017
The St James’s Place Barbury International Horse Trials has confirmed that the event will run in 2017 with the dates set for Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th July 2017 and will be organised by the Event Rider Masters (ERM)
Following the sale of the Barbury Castle Estate earlier this month by its previous owner Nigel Bunter to Chris Woodhouse, the ERM team has been appointed to manage and run the horse trials in 2017, with Martyn Johnson of ERM as the event’s Director.
In 2016 the Wiltshire event hosted leg three of the inaugural ERM, and this year with the series embarking on its second year, Barbury is again confirmed as its third leg. Additionally, Eventing highlights currently confirmed across the four-day equine spectacular include the CIC three and two-star competition and British Eventing novice classes.
Over 1000 horse and rider combinations, featuring some of the best riders in the world are expected to compete across the four days, with Barbury’s natural amphitheatre providing a spectacular backdrop for this iconic Wiltshire sporting event. Away from the eventing action there will also be plenty of family entertainment as well as fantastic shopping for visitors to enjoy.
Furthermore, with ERM both managing Barbury as well as it featuring as the third leg in the series, the ERM team will also look to trial various innovations at this year’s renewal at Barbury focusing on enhancement of the spectator and ERM TV viewing experience.
Leading international rider Andrew Nicholson, made history at the horse trials last year and was crowned the ‘King of Barbury’ for the fifth time when winning the third leg of the ERM riding Nereo. Nicholson had already reached an extraordinary achievement in 2015 by winning the three-star competition four consecutive times on board the popular grey - Avebury.
Commenting on the news that the Barbury International Horse Trials is confirmed for 2017, Nicholson said that “Barbury is an important event not only for our horses and as competitors, but also for equestrian fans and the surrounding Wiltshire area. You only have to look at the huge entry the event receives to see how popular it is with riders. I love competing at Barbury and I’m delighted to hear its immediate future is secure. I can’t wait to ride there in July and hope a big crowd will be out in force to cheer us on as I aim for a Barbury six-timer!”
Chris Stone, CEO of the Event Rider Masters said that “We are proud and excited to be running Barbury this year and we are very grateful to Chris Woodhouse for asking us to organise the horse trials”
“It was important to continue the event despite the change of estate ownership. It has an amazing history in producing human and equine heroes and heroines and is a significant fixture in the eventing calendar as well as a sporting highlight in Wiltshire and surrounding areas”.
