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| Zara Phillips |
Riders, horses and even fences from the Olympics are expected to bring a touch of Olympic stardust to the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth Horse Trials in May.
Among the 500 entrants to the event running from Friday – Sunday, 10th to 12th May are three members from the Olympic GB silver medal winning Eventing team who delighted the 23,000 spectators at Greenwich Park last summer in a closely fought contest.
Now the spectators at Chatsworth can recapture some of the drama with competitors including GB medallist William Fox Pitt riding his Olympic horse Lionheart; Zara Phillips fresh from her Olympic medal winning debut and her team-mate Nicola Wilson.
Olympic silver medallist William Fox-Pitt said “I have always enjoyed riding at Chatsworth and it wil be exciting to see how the new courses ride”.
Two more Olympic medallists, Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson, part of the New Zealand eventing team who finished behind Team GB after a dramatic tussle to take bronze, will be hoping for a reversal of fortune at the Chatsworth Horse Trials.
Other notable names amongst the star studded list are the Australian Olympic competitor Andrew Hoy and previous Horse Trials winners Oliver Townend and Emily Baldwin.
The Duchess of Devonshire commented: “We are delighted that this year we will be welcoming over 400 competitors to the Horse Trials, including members of last year’s Olympic silver medal winning British Eventing team. The cross country will be particularly exciting this year as the course goes in the reverse direction for the first time and features two fences that have come direct from the Olympic course in Greenwich Park”.
The courses are being designed by Olympic medallist Ian Stark and David Evans and will run in the reverse direction. Two of the fences used at Greenwich for the Olympic Games will feature in the new courses at the Ice Pond. Inspired by the children’s book The Wind in the Willows, Ratty’s House and Toad’s Caravan blend with wild flowers, fallen trees and willow trees to evoke a scene of joy for the riverside friends. The house is built in reclaimed African Opepe timber rescued from Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight.
As well as the chance to see top class Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country equestrian sport up close, the event also offers entertainment for all the family in the beautiful surroundings of Chatsworth on the banks of the river Derwent.
On the Friday see the ‘stars’ of the future in the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers and on the Saturday and Sunday enjoy all the favourites including: Pony Club mounted games, ferret racing, dog agility, Dressage demonstrations and birds of prey displays. There will also be plenty to keep the children entertained – Punch & Judy, Maypole dancing, face painting and children’s rides.
There will be more than 100 quality trade stands and two Craft marquees selling a wide selection of country clothing, equestrian products, fashion accessories as well as delicious food to eat and take home.
Advanced tickets for the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials are available at www.chatsworth.org/horsetrials. On the day prices are Friday £10 adult, children free; Saturday and Sunday £15 adult; £5 under 14s: under 5s free.
Membership/Members enclosure
This year the Members’ package includes admission to the Horse Trials, car parking and exclusive access to the Members’ area. The Membership area offers an enhanced experience with exclusive ringside access, providing relaxed surroundings where light refreshments are available with licensed bar, garden and private toilets. Member’s badges must be pre-booked. Prices: Friday £20; Saturday £25; Sunday £30.
Provisional Timetable:
Gates open daily at 8am
Friday:
9.30 am Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse 4 year old qualifier
1.30 pm Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse 5 year old qualifier
Saturday:
8.30 am Dressage
9.30 am Show Jumping
10.30 am Cross Country
Sunday:
9am Dressage
9am Show Jumping
10.30 am Cross Country
Admission prices on the day:
Friday £10 per adult children free
Saturday £15 per adult and £5 per child
Sunday £15 per adult and £5 per child
Child prices are applicable for under 14s. Under 5s are free
One day car park pass £3
For further information please contact the Director of Event - Tissie Reason on
07721 551713 or email: tissiereason@gmail.com
