Gatcombe set to celebrate a 21st birthday (From Gazette Series)

Gatcombe set to celebrate a 21st birthday

12:30pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Gloucestershire Sport

THE Land Rover Gatcombe Novice & Intermediate Horse Trials come of age this weekend (March 23/24) with the 21st running of this popular Cotswolds fixture, held with continuous support from Land Rover, at Gatcombe Park, near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire.

The event, as usual, is a key fixture for international riders as they build up their spring campaigns.

Competitors from ten nations are represented among the 600-plus entries that include Gatcombe-based Zara Phillips who will be competing on both Saturday and Sunday, riding three horses from amongst her current string. Also making a return to Gatcombe, where they were once based, are German Bettina Hoy and Australian Andrew Hoy.

Other leading riders entered in the event are Britain, famous New Zealander Andrew Nicholson and Australians Sam Griffiths, Bill Levett and Paul Tapner. And local regulars include Chris King, Julie Tew and Harry Meade, plus Frenchman Leonard Goerens who is based in nearby Crudwell.

The event takes place on a course designed by HRH The Princess Royal and her event organiser Pattie Biden, utilising a different area of the Gatcombe Park estate to that used by the August Festival of British Eventing.

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Gatcombe regularly hosts international riders from all over the world for both the Spring Land Rover Novice and Intermediate classes and the Autumn Whatley Manor Hotel International CIC* & CIC** event.

Starting at 9am on both days, dressage, show jumping and cross-country phases run throughout. The event attracts many interesting shops, which will include the Gatcombe Collection. At various times during both days, HRH The Princess Royal will present the prizes.

Gatcombe Park is situated at Hampton Fields, mid-way between Minchinhamp-ton and Avening, the event will be signposted from both directions. Spectator admission is £6 for a car and occupants and £4 for a programme.

For full information about directions accommodation, timetable and all entries visit gatcombehorsetrials.co.uk

Rectory Farm show

Rectory Farm, just off the A417 near Cirencester, has been approved as a British Showjumping affiliated venue less than a year after opening as a training and competition arena.

And its first BS show is set to take place on April 1, the Bank Holiday Monday of Easter weekend. With classes from British Novice to 1.30m and generous prize money, the event is sure to attract plenty of competitive showjumpers from amateurs to top professionals.

Details of the show (and six further BS dates for 2013) can be found on the Rectory Farm website rectoryfarm.com