There’s a large contingent of Kiwi eventers heading to the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials this weekend.

All eyes will be on the King of Barbury, Andrew Nicholson, who has won the CCI4*-S five times before and while has just a single entry in Swallow Springs in the top class will surely start as one of the favourites. The 11-year-old grey gelding was fifth at Badminton this year and in 2018 placed third at Burghley in his two tilts at the top level.

The world number eight is joined by Jonelle Price aboard Grovine de Reve and Jesse Campbell on I Spye in the 96-strong CCI4*-S. Grovine de Reve placed ninth in their last start in the CCI4*-S Event Rider Masters at Wiesbaden, which was also Jonelle’s first international with the 11-year-old gelding.

There are more than 200 entered in the CCI3*-S including a large crew of Kiwis and the very in-form Prices. World no.1 Tim is aboard 13-year-old Bango while Jonelle has both Cloud Dancer and Cooley Showtime entered.

It will be a busy weekend for Andrew who has eight horses at the event including Andrea BT4, Argentino BK and As Is in the CCI3*-S. Sir Mark Todd is in aboard Cool Tide while Dan Jocelyn has a brace in Duke of Champions, Florencina R and Lissyegan Rory. Nick Brooks and For Fame are in the mix as is Hollie Swain aboard her two Drumnaconnel Nico and Solo, and Tayla Mason on Centennial.

Around 1000 combinations from 19 nations will compete over four days at Barbury, including more than 24 who have ridden for their country at world, Olympic or European championships. There are some top names on the cards, including newly-crowned Badminton champ Piggy French (GBR) as well as Zara Tindall (GBR), William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Tina Cook (GBR) and Pippa Funnell (GBR).

The competition kicks off with the dressage for both the CC4*-S and CCI*-S on Thursday and Friday.

The horse details:
I Spye – owned by Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell
Swallow Springs – owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon
Grovine de Reve – owned by Therese Miller, Philip Hunt and Jo Preston-Hunt
For Fame – owned by Nick Brooks
Duke of Champions – owned by Philip Hunt, Jo Preston-Hunt and Joyce Snook
Florencina R – owned by Philip Hunt, Jo Preston-Hunt and Dan Jocelyn
Lissyegan Rory – owned by Debbie Cunningham and Dan Jocelyn
Centennial – owned by Sonya Mason, Sue Rutter and Tayla Mason
Andrea BT4 – owned by Andrew Nicholson
Argentino BK – owned by Andrew Nicholson
As Is – owned by Deborah Sellar and Anna Weir
Cloud Dancer – owned by The Marley and Me Syndicate
Cooley Showtime – owned by Suzanne Houchin, Lucy and Ben Sangster and Sir Peter Vela
Bango – owned by the Numero Uno Syndicate
Drumnaconnell Nico – owned by Hollie Swain
Solo – owned by John Bodenham
Cool Tide – owned by Di Brunsden and Peter Cattell

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WHAT:
Barbury International Horse Trails
WHEN: July 4-7, 2019
WHERE: Wiltshire, UK
MORE INFO: www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison