HORSE & RIDER: Barbury making a splash (From This Is Wiltshire)

HORSE & RIDER: Barbury making a splash

8:21am Thursday 5th July 2007

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Rain may be disrupting play at Wimbledon but there is no chance that it will stop the record number of entries which the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials has attracted this weekend, writes Janet Perrins There are over 150 entries for the St James' Place-sponsored CIC*** international event, including its two former champions, William Fox-Pitt and his 2005 winner Ballincoola and Polly Stockton with Tom Quigley, who won last year.

They lead a high class field which contains some top entries from Swindon and Wiltshire.

Competition director David Green said the rain has not affected the going, describing the turf at Barbury Castle as some of the best in the country.

"We are very excited about the event. We have made some changes - some a little softer, some a little harder.

"We have got rid of the eye hole coming out of the water but put in quite a severe angled fence on the way out instead.

"The fence coming out of the quarry is a little tougher. We have had some international riders look at the course and they cannot believe the going is so good," said Green.

In-form Marlborough-based New Zealander Andrew Nicholson has a strong team of three entries, with horses Lord Killinghurst and Henry Tankerville, fresh from their fifth and eighth places respectively at Badminton, and Silbury Hill, who won the three-star at Puncheston last month.

"All three horses have a good chance," said Nicholson.

"It is a big course and a good event - all we need is some dry weather. I also have a bunch of young ones in the novice classes."

Swindon has put forward a strong contingent of riders with Paul Tapner competing in the three star for the first time with Inonothing, who made a successful Badminton debut in May, finishing 13th.

However, with his second horse Tiger Flynne, he has the dubious honour of running in first position.

"It is a totally different competition to Badminton but in theory this type of competition should suit both my horses.

"It is a class competition and a class field, I just hope I put on a good show," said Tapner, who is based at Wickstead Farm.

Claire Horner has recently returned to Swindon at Foxhill and is back for a second crack at Barbury on the nine-year-old mare, Whoopsadasiy II, who is owned by Michael Bradley of Idstone and was bred by his daughter Katie Price.

"I have been riding her since she was five and brought her up through the grades," said Horner.

"Last year it was quite a test for her but we are back this year for a real shot.

"She is pretty reliable in all three phases but we have been working very hard on the flat and having lessons with Rodney Powell, who is only two minutes down the road now."

Powell himself has two strong contenders in the competition, Zinzan II and Langarth Darcy.

Zinzan went very well in his debut last year and has been placed in his three outings in 2007 including a win at Aldon.

Darcy has also gone very well, with a second at Saumur.

"I am very lucky to have these two rides. If they carry on going the way they have been I will be delighted," said Powell.

Another Powell pupil is Jamaican-born Sam Albert, who is based at Corton Manor near Wootton Bassett.

Sebago-sponsored Albert said: "On the Monday after Barbury she is off to the Pan Am Games in Brazil with her mare Before I Do It but will be at Barbury with Blarney Banker, a horse owned by Bristolian Martin Granville.

"He did his first three star at Ede in Holland a couple of weeks ago and I was very pleased with him. He was clear cross country but had a couple of poles down in what was quite a spooky show jumping course.

"I think Barbury will suit him better as he is quite a strong horse and Barbury is quite an open, galloping course.

"He can do very good dressage test but getting him settled can be difficult but we have been working on that.

"The show jumping in front of the crowds will be a bit of an eye opener for a young horse like him but he will have to get used to that," she added.

Many top British riders will be looking to impress the British team selectors ahead of the European Championships in Italy in September, including Mary King and Daisy Dick.

The British will face hot competition from 12 other nations who will be represented, including Australian Andrew Hoy, Malmesbury-based Frenchman Leonard Goerens and Eddie Stibbe.

A place on the British team will also be at stake for 12 junior (18 and under) shortlisted riders who will be competing against each other in the final trial run before their international championships this year in Switzerland in August.

Barbury Castle Estate's strong links with the world of horseracing will also be to the fore with over 30 trainers expected to join Barbury's resident trainer, Alan King, to watch young jockeys of the future compete in Barbury's pony racing - and some of the country's thoroughbreds put through their eventing paces in the new Racehorse Trainers Event Series.

"We are delighted with the level of interest from world class riders and look forward to a really exciting competition," said Nigel Bunter, chairman of Barbury Castle Horse Trials.

"Spectators will be able to enjoy the sport at close quarters while being treated to a new and bigger choice of attractions designed to offer entertainment for all the family."

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