Staged at Southfield House near Frome, nearly 900 horses will be competing over the three days with some of the sport’s most famous names in action including William Fox-Pitt, Sir Mark Todd and Zara Tindall.
The event’s ambassador and committee member Sam Griffiths, a former winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and Australian Olympic team member, said:
“Nunney is a beautifully run event with a wonderful committee at the helm. The ground is always very well prepared and the courses ride well. The event is still only five years old but the organisers constantly innovate and listen to competitors so that year on year improvements are made. The addition of another field to the intermediate and CIC2* courses will be great this year and it means the courses will flow really well. I am delighted to be involved with the event and its so pleasing that riders enjoy coming to Nunney.”
Zara Tindall’s entries include her top horse High Kingdom in the open intermediate. His result at Badminton in May earned him consideration for Britain’s team at the Rio Olympics this summer having been a former team silver medallist for Britain at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Jonathon Paget has entered one of his two named Rio rides, Clifton Signature, in the same section.
Other top riders in action include Astier Nicolas, who was victorious in the first leg of the Event Rider Masters Series at Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth, Australia’s Christopher Burton, Gemma Tattersall, Kitty King, Laura Collett and Padraig McCarthy.
Organiser Bridget Parker said:
“We are delighted with the number of entries which have increased again from last year. There are several big names riding and it’s a wonderful opportunity for spectators to come along and watch them in action. We are so grateful to all our sponsors and to the volunteers who make running this event possible.”
Several tradestands will be positioned around the main showjumping arena, which is situated in front of Southfield House, and there are various local food outlets too in a specially designated eating corner which provides a great hub for meeting friends.
Entry to the event is free on Friday and £12 per car on Saturday and Sunday.
The cross country for the CIC2* and intermediate classes is scheduled for Sunday starting at 10am, but there is action over the fixed fences on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with showjumping in the main arena in front of the house over all three days too. Visit www.nunneyhorsetrials.co.uk for more details.
Course Walk
International event rider Sam Griffiths will be hosting a course walk at Nunney International Horse Trials on Friday, June 17, starting at the first fence at 6pm.
Everyone is invited to attend. Sam will be looking at the BE100 and novice courses and is happy to answer questions about any of the cross country fences at NIHT2016.
In order to gauge attendance we’d be grateful if you would email nunneyhorsetrials@gmail.com.
