Posted: 27th July 2017 | Back to news feed

Good going the key at Bicton Arena International

A raft of eventing legends are heading to Bicton Arena International Horse Trials on August 18 – 20 headed by the doyenne of the sport Lucinda Green who has won a raft of individual and team medals and a record six Badminton Horse Trials. Lucinda will ride the 10-year-old gelding  Riddick VEH in the Equine H and Empire Coach Builders intermediate class.

Mary King, who has represented Great Britain at six Olympic Games from 1992 to 2012, winning team silver in 2004 and 2012, and team bronze in 2008 has three rides in the Rathbone Investment Management CIC2* where she will compete against her daughter Emily.

The class has received generous support from Exeter Racecourse and online equine sales website Horse Pursuit whose founder Megan Wilkinson said: “I’m over the moon to be supporting Bicton Arena at its August horse trials. It’s a hugely important venue for the Westcountry where I have competed often and I’m looking forward to attending.”

Also among the entries are William Fox-Pitt, Australian Paul Tapner and Tim Cheffings whose family business, Cheffings Equine, will sponsor the prize for the groom of the best turned out horses in the one and two star classes. Pictured is Coral Keen riding Total Belief who is entered in the intermediate.

Bicton

European team silver medalist Phoebe Locke will ride Cooley Challenger in the Chipmunk and Zebra-sponsored intermediate under 21, while novice entries have been received from Coral Keen, Holly Woodhead and Beanie Sturgis.

With the going vital to the success of the event, the full time ground work team having been working round the clock using a Terra Spike Verti-Drain and topping the grass when necessary which has resulted in exceptional grass growth and dense sward producing a cushion-like effect.

Arena manager Helen West said: “It’s so important that we get the ground absolutely right. Having ridden at international level, I know the ground is the determining factor over whether riders choose to compete here or not, and that’s why we’ve made a considerable investment to ensure it is safe throughout all the levels, with minimum risk to the horses competing here.”

Entry is £10 per car and catering is available all day. There will also be a selection of tradestands on site too.

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