SOME of the best event riders in the land will compete in the Richmond Horse Trials next Friday, with competitors travelling from all over the region and further afield to take part in the ultimate test of a horse and rider partnership.
Top riders, including Nicola Wilson, Piggy French and Oliver Townend, will use the event at Richmond Equestrian Centre as a warm-up for the Landrover Burghley Horse Trials, which take place the following week at Burghley House, Lincolnshire.
Paul Hodgson, co-organiser of the Richmond Horse Trials, said: "We are delighted to have another bumper entry for our August horse trials, with eight Burghley hopefuls entered for Friday, August 28. Our intermediate classes are now a well- established feature of the British eventing calendar and, this year, all four cross-country courses have been refreshed and updated. We will also be building a second water complex this winter for use in our 2016 events."
The event will also feature innovative technology. Following its successful introduction at the May event, scores will be available to view online as they develop.
This represents a major breakthrough for the sport, according to Mr Hodgson, who said: "Previously, scores were hand-written on large scoreboards at the event, meaning that riders, owners and the public at large had little or no idea how they were placed in the competition, with final placings not available for up to an hour after the competition finished.
"With real time scoring, anyone can follow a rider's progress at the event via TV screens, online, or even on a tablet or smart phone. This creates a real buzz at the event, and it's fascinating to watch a rider progress around the cross-country course on your phone."
The event will feature trade stands and catering on site, as well as plenty of action in the dressage, show jumping and all-important cross-country phases of the competition.
Entry is free for spectators at the event at Richmond Equestrian Centre, Breckenborough Farm, Tunstall, Catterick, near Richmond. Follow the brown tourist signs to the equestrian centre.
Those unable to attend the event can follow the competition as it develops at eventscore.co.uk.
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