Get ready for Gatcombe
Gatcombe’s unique atmosphere ensures it remains as popular with riders and spectators now as it has always been, with its undulating terrain providing great viewing for visitors while challenging riders of all levels.
The Doubleprint Festival of British Eventing will see horses at all stages in their eventing careers competing over Captain Mark Phillips’s cross-country tracks in the three British National Championships.
The British Novice and Intermediate Championships feature the best young horses in the country, while the Advanced (Open) Championships, with its thrilling cross-country phase in reverse order of merit, is a truly high-class international competition.
This year’s Open class includes entries from three former British champions. Last year’s champion Pippa Funnell has Primmore’s Pride, William Fox-Pitt is aiming to impress on Moon Man, while Mary King is going for a record fifth win with King Solomon III.
The 1989 British champion, Rodney Powell, has two entered, including the talented 14-year-old Flintstone IV, who will bid to make a comeback after his third place at Badminton in 2000.
As well as top class eventing at every level, the weekend promises a feast of family entertainment with displays in the main ring including falconry, the Royal Signals White Helmets motorcycle display team, dressage to music, a gun dog display, polo with the Beaufort Polo Club and a parade of the Royal Agricultural College Beagles.
Tickets are available on the gate from £6 on Friday and £10 on Saturday/Sunday. For more information (tel: 01937 541811) or visit: www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Getting to Gatcombe
M4: J15, take A419 to Stroud. From J17, take A429 to Malmesbury, B4014 through Tetbury. From J18, take A46 to Stroud, follow signs to Minchinhampton.
M5: J13, take A419 to Stroud, then follow signs to the event.
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads at all times.
| Doubleprint Festival of British Eventing timetableFriday, 1 AugustDressage arena: novice championship and advanced 9am Young event horse arena: young event horse classes 8am Main arena: Pony Club team jumping 8.50am; young event horse final 11.30amSaturday, 2 AugustDressage arena: all sections 8am Main arena: show jumping — novice championship 7.45am; advanced 9.45am; displays 1.25pm; prize-giving 5.30pm Cross-country: novice championship 11am; advanced 1pmSunday, 3 AugustDressage arena: intermediate & open championships 8am Main arena: show jumping — intermediate & open championships 8am; displays 2.05pm; prize-giving 5.20pm Cross-country: intermediate championship 11am; open championship 1.45pm |
Gatcombe’s all time greats
| 2002 | Mallard’s Treat | A Nicholson NZL |
| British champion | Primmore’s Pride | P Funnell |
| 2001 | CANCELLED (FMD) | |
| 2000 | Moon Man | W Fox-Pitt |
| 1999 | Word For Word | M Todd NZL |
| British champion | Westlord | P Clark |
| 1998 | Ready Teddy | B Tait NZL |
| British champion | Too Smart | K Dixon |
| 1997 | Darien Powers | A Hoy AUS |
| British champion | King Solomon III | M King |
| 1996 | King William | M King |
| 1995 | Chaka | W Fox-Pitt |
| 1994 | Too Smart | K Dixon |
| 1993 | Lighter Than Air | D O’Connor USA |
| British champion | Welton Houdini | G Leng |
| 1992 | Sir Barnaby | P Nolan |
| 1991 | King William | M Thomson |
| 1990 | King Boris | M Thomson |
| 1989 | Bahlua | M Todd NZL |
| British champion | The Irishman II | R Powell |
| 1988 | Charisma | M Todd NZL |
| British champion | The Gamesmaster | R Lemieux |
| 1987 | Night Cap II | V Leng |
| 1986 | JJ Babu | B Davidson USA |
| British champion | Night Cap II | V Leng |
| 1985 | Charisma | M Todd NZL |
| 1984 | Village Gossip | L Green |
| 1983 | Mairangi Bay | D Green AUS |
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.