SOME of the world’s top eventers are lined up for Aske International Horse Trials at Aske Hall, near Richmond, next weekend.

The event, which features a CIC* class, a regional final for the Badminton Grassroots championships and sevenfurther classes, has attracted Olympic 2012 medallists alongside up-and-coming young local riders.

Some of the well-known names competing in the CIC* include local stars Nicola Wilson, of Morton-on Swale, near Northallerton, Karen Dixon, of Wycliffe, near Barnard Castle, and Sheriff Hutton’s Yorkbased Heidi Woodhead, along with the ever-popular Ian Stark, who is now combining his riding career with television commentary and course designing.

Olympic team GB silver medallist Wilson, who secured 11th place at Burghley earlier this month on her seasoned campaigner Opposition Buzz, will be competing some of her young horses at Aske, a course she feels provides an important stage in their development.

Her ride in the CIC* will be Night Porter, who is stepping up after competing successfully at Intermediate level.

The dressage for the CIC* will take place in front of the stunning backdrop of Aske Hall on the first afternoon of the competition, on Friday, with the CIC* showjumping and cross country taking place on the Saturday morning.

The event ends on Sunday.

Wilson also has two entries in the BE100 class with the five-year-old Dartans Greenlough Tom and Spot On Jeeves, a six-year-old new ride for her this year.

New Zealand team 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Caroline Powell has three horses entered in the British Eventing classes and Ellen Svennerstal, who is currently at the Young Rider Europeans at Blenheim representing Sweden, has two horses entered.

Aske’s steeply undulating course is recognised as a testing track for the horses and the beautiful parkland setting also provides great viewing for spectators.