Gatcombe Horse Trials

Each summer Gatcombe Horse Trials is home to the Festival of British Eventing, which incorporates the British open, intermediate and novice championships, as well as the Corinthian Cup amateur championship and the RoR/NTF retrained racehorse event championship.

Mary King and William Fox-Pitt share the honours for most wins in the British open championship, with four apiece, although Mary has an extra win in the British national championship as she took that title in 1997 when the open went to Australia’s Andrew Hoy.

William has an unsurpassed record in the intermediate championship with six titles, while Oliver Townend is out ahead in the novice championship with four wins. These classes are good places to spot future stars of the sport, with a number of the winners going on to win and be placed at five-star level.

As well as the prestigious eventing championships, Gatcombe Horse Trials typically hosts a Burghley young event horse qualifier, an arena eventing competition and Pony Club showjumping, enabling riders of all ages to experience the special atmosphere of the Festival of British Eventing.

Gatcombe Park is the home of the Princess Royal and spectators can enjoy the beautiful parkland bowl during this weekend of top class eventing. There is also extensive shopping village, with a wide range of food outlets, plus arena attractions providing entertainment for all the family.

In 2018 Peter Phillips, son of the Princess Royal and Mark Phillips, took over the reins as event director at the Festival of British Eventing when Tim Henson stepped down from the role. Mark is the cross-country course-designer.