Posted: 5th August 2015 | Back to news feed
The countdown is on with only days to go until world class eventing heads to Hartpury, and the thrilling cross-country courses are looking in fantastic shape!
The NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials will run from August 12th to 16th featuring the stars of eventing from all over the world, including Badminton winner William Fox-Pitt, who will ride three horses in the CIC 3*.
Now in its 12th year, the Hartpury Horse Trials will feature the hugely anticipated Optimum CCI1*, Magic CCI2* and Superflex CIC3*. There will also be more than 30 shopping stands overlooking the International Outdoor Arena.
The real star of the show will, as always, be the stunning action on the cross-country course on Saturday, August 15th. A shuttle bus service will take spectators to the viewing sites of all three testing courses on Hartpury House Bank.
Pippa Funnell will ride in the CIC 3* and CCI2* and will be back in action on Sandman 7, who she topped the podium with in the 3* at Chatsworth, while other 3* entries include Andrew Nicholson, Kitty and Emily King, Kristina Cook, Sam Griffiths and Piggy French.
There will also be the chance to see the equine superstars of the future and some former Hartpury students in action, including French international event rider, Astier Nicolas, on Molaki in the CIC 3*. The BSc Equine Science graduate and Hartpury Equine Academy scholar has competed up to 4* level and won the Bramham Under-25s CCI 3* class.
Another former Hartpury student, Rob Barker, who is based in Upleadon, will compete on Loose Talk in the CCI 1*.
The cross-country courses, built by Andrew Hunter and designed by Eric Winter, have benefited from more than two million litres of watering in recent weeks with lots more to come to ensure they are in tip-top condition despite the recent dry spell.
The dressage and showjumping will take place in Hartpury’s international arenas, which offers tiered seating to provide the perfect vantage point to enjoy the whole competition.
Getting the action underway at the Horse Trials will be the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifiers on Wednesday, August 12th, giving eventing fans the chance to see the best up and coming horses.
While the dressage will run on August 13th and 14th, showjumping takes place on the Saturday and Sunday.
Hartpury’s Equine Director, Philip Cheetham, said: “Only weeks after the successful Festival of Dressage featuring five days of outstanding competition, excitement is building again as we prepare to welcome the world’s best eventers to Hartpury.
“The cross-country courses look stunning. We’ve been working hard to irrigate the track during the recent dry spell along with making improvements to each course to ensure competitors have the best possible experience.”
Admission is free from Wednesday, August 12th through to Friday, August 14th inclusive, and is only £10 per person on the Saturday and Sunday. Under-16s are free all week and parking is also free.
You can find all the latest news and book tickets online by visiting the new website at www.hartpuryhorsetrials.co.uk or call 01452 702126. To stay up to date with all the action and results, don’t forget to follow Hartpury Horse Trials on Facebook and Twitter.
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