Bumper international field heading for Brightling

The 2015 Reverdy Brightling Park International Horse Trials will take place this weekend. Picture courtesy www.brightlinghorsetrials.co.uk

Riders from France, Italy, Norway, and even Australia and New Zealand are among a huge entry of around 600 for the 29th staging of the popular annual event, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

The field includes Pippa Funnell, who was a member of the British teams which won silver at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, plus individual bronze at the latter event.

Also in the line-up is New Zealand rider Jock Paget, who won a bronze medal in team eventing at the 2012 Olympics. Oliver Townend, a dominant figure at Brightling last year, will not be returning this time.

Event organisers were grateful for the rain of yesterday after one of the driest ever build-ups to the trials. In fact, work has been done on the ground to make it more rideable, but the dry weather hasn’t adversely affected preparations.

Off the course, there will be around 30 trade stands - more than ever before - and there will also be terrier racing.

Around 2,000 spectators are expected to descend on the 18th century Brightling Park estate from far and wide across the two days. The dressage is due to start at 8am on both days, with the cross-country following at 10am.

Admission is £10 per car. For more details, visit www.brightlinghorsetrials.co.uk

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