10:05am Thursday 3rd July 2008
By Joe Ware
Equestrian: Barbury International has shattered the record books by receiving more entries than any other ICI Three Star Horse Trials class tournament in the world, according to its organiser David Green.
The competition, which runs from tomorrow until Sunday at Barbury Castle near Marlborough, has received a record 184 entries for the Three Star class, with riders competing in the dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Also a world record is the 188 entries for the Two Star event in its debut year, says competition director Green, who is excited about the high level of interest.
He said: "It's the largest entry for a Three Star and a Two Star competition in the history of the sport worldwide.
"There have been so many entries we've not been able to fit them all in."
Barbury communications officer Becky Berry says the course's unique design and facilities are why it is so popular.
She said: "Barbury is unique because viewers can see the whole event, even while having a picnic in their car.
"It also has some of the best facilities for the owners which is why so many of them want to enter their horses. The site owner Nigel Bunter had a goal of creating a top level event so the course was built with elite competition in mind."
This year's Barbury International will be even more hotly contested with at least three countries about to finalise their Olympic squads.
New Great Britain Olympians Tina Cook and Daisy Dick will be competing at the event along with Oliver Townend and Zara Phillips.
David Green said: "It will be like a mini Olympics.
"We have competitors from 13 different countries taking part. The Australians, Americans and the Irish will be naming their squads either during or shortly after the event."
With a packed weekend of sport on the horizon event organisers are keen to stress there will be something for everyone at Barbury.
Sandy Thwaites from the press and promotions office said: "We will be showing the British Grand Prix and Wimbledon and there is also going to be 60 trade stands, a children's entertainment area, a climbing wall, quad bikes and bungee jumping.
Other Olympic riders taking part in the event include Australians Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks, Andrew Hoy, Bill Levett, Matt Ryan, Paul Tapner, Stuart Tinney and Sam Griffiths.
From New Zealand will be Andrew Nicholson, Dan Jocelyn, Joe Meyer and five-times Olympiad, Mark Todd who has come out or retirement in a bid to represent his country once again in Hong Kong.
For more information log onto barburyhorsetrials.co.
uk.
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