Gatcombe Horse Trials used to host the Festival of British Eventing, which incorporated the British open, intermediate and novice championships. In later years, the Festival also included the Corinthian Cup amateur championship and the RoR/NTF retrained racehorse event championship.
In 2023, the event was abandoned owing to the weather and in 2024, it was announced it would not run that year and possibly never again.
As well as the prestigious eventing championships, Gatcombe Horse Trials typically hosted 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 enjoyed the beautiful parkland bowl during this weekend of top class eventing. There was also an extensive shopping village, with a wide range of food outlets, plus arena attractions providing entertainment for all the family.
Peter Phillips, son of the Princess Royal and Mark Phillips, was the event director, taking over the reins in 2018 when Tim Henson stepped down from the role. Mark was the cross-country course-designer.
Little Gatcombe Horse Trials, a smaller event on a different part of the estate, is currently on the British Eventing calendar as a September fixture.
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