Stage is set for Chatsworth International Horse Trials
The stage is set for three days world-class competition combining elegant dressage, nail-biting show jumping and dramatic cross-country at the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s beautiful parkland at Chatsworth near Bakewell, Derbyshire (Friday - Sunday May 16-18).
The 3-star international classes provide a showcase for some of the world’s best riders and horses and will be used as a selection trial by many nations for this summer’s World Equestrian Games in France.
Previous winners include William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Pippa Funnell; last year’s victor, world number one Andrew Nicholson, comments: “Chatsworth is always a great event with a wonderfulatmosphere and provides a ‘stepping stone’ for horses aiming for 4-star level. I come every year and, as ever, I’m looking forward to it very much.”
Five-time Olympian Ian Stark won the first international class, in 1999 on the Duchess of Devonshire’s Stanwick Ghost, and he continues in his role of course-designer of the 3-star tracks, assisted by Olympic course-builder David Evans who creates the 1-star course.
Ian has produced some new fences, including a rail-ditch-rail fence with a downhill approach where riders will need to have their horses in control and balance. He has also made changes to the Ice Pond, the water complex in the middle of the course which provides a great spectator vantage point.
“There’s a lot of jumping and galloping and riders will need to use their heads and exercise judgement,” promises Ian. “The long routes at combination fences will be time-consuming, so there will be no prizes for the faint-hearted!”
Chatsworth also marks the 75th anniversary of title sponsors Dodson & Horrell, Europe’s leading animal feed specialist. The family-run Northamptonshire based company has nourished equine Olympians, fed Grand National winners and fuelled Epsom Derby victors and isat the forefront of major advances in performance-linked animal nutrition.
The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes plus dressage, take place on Friday and there is cross-country action on both Saturday (novice) and Sunday (advanced).
An exciting programme of arena events includes falconry, have-a-go Dog Agility, Pony Club mounted games and the gundog display team, plus, for the first time, the high-speed excitement of the British Scurry and Driving Trials when ponies and their drivers go against the clock on a course full of cones, barriers arches and ramps.
Away from the arena, there is a children’s entertainment area with mini Land Rovers plus a great range trade stands as well as two craft marquees, selling country clothing, equestrian products, fashion accessories, crafts and top-quality food.
Tickets to the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials are available at www.chatsworth.org at the special advanced rate of: Friday - Adult £10; Saturday - Adult £14; Sunday - Adult £14; children under 14 £4.50 (under 5s go free). Three-day pass: Adult £30, Child £10.
