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Going, going…! Marvel at the thrills and spills from the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe


  • The Festival of British Eventing (5-7 August), held virtually in the back garden of the Princess Royal at Gatcombe, was full of action, surprises and for some, disappointment.

    Oliver Townend claimed his first British Open Championship title aboard Cillnabradden Evo. Spectators held their breaths as the tiring horse approached the final cross-country fence where he fell with Andrew Nicholson last year, but Oliver nursed the 10-year-old home.

    Oliver also won the fourth leg of the Event Rider Masters competition which was held in conjunction with the British Open, taking home a cheque for a healthy £16,000 as a result.

    The intermediate championship was won by Alexander Whewall riding Chakris Star, who has only finished outside the top 10 once this season.

    Francis Whittington won the novice championship aboard Evento by the narrowest of margins thanks to a speedy clear across country.

    The Corinthian Cup, a national restricted novice championship was won by crane hire manager Andrea Clark and Murphy’s Bonanza.

    But the weekend wasn’t just about eventing; there was plenty of other exciting action unfolding bathed in glorious sunshine. Here’s some thrills and spills you can’t afford to miss…

    Don’t miss the full Festival of British Eventing report in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale Friday 12 March. H&H is on sale Friday next week to allow for a full report on the Olympic eventing to be included.