This year’s Eridge Horse Trials and Country Market, which has SsangYong Motors UK as title sponsor, was declared a great success with attendance numbers being significantly up on last year.
Thousands walked through the entrance over the weekend to watch Olympic medallists and local riders compete on the stunning grounds of Eridge Park, near Tunbridge Wells, in cross country, show-jumping and dressage.
Rider Francis Whittington, won SsangYong Motors Open Intermediate section, riding Hasty Imp and was also placed third on Easy Target. Harry Dzenis from Haslemere, riding Star Striker was the winner of the SsangYong Intermediate section.
Other local riders including Lisa Pilbeam from Stonegate and Georgie Strang from Mayfield were winners of the Novice Sections.
Wadhurst born, triple Olympic medallist Pippa Funnell MBE was at the event, but having competed in the dressage and show-jumping, she decided not to run the cross country due to her recent selection for the GB eventing team at this year’s Olympics in Rio.
Alongside the horses was a country market. Now in its fourth year, stalls catered for all interests and tastes selling crafts, equestrian goods, food, drink, clothes, gifts and farmer’s produce.
Sunday saw the ever popular ‘Dogs in the Park’, with a schedule that included ‘Waggiest Tail’, ‘Best Fancy Dress’, ‘Prettiest Bitch’ and ‘Best Biscuit Catcher’. Jevington Terrier Racing organised the terrier racing that took place Sunday afternoon and ‘The Hawking Centre’ put on two falconry displays which included flying from a Barn Owl, Hawk, a Vulture and an Eagle.
Joint event organiser Jenny Nolan, commented: “We are thrilled with how the event went, helped by the weather which was glorious all weekend too. The country market is proving a real success, making the event appeal just as much to the non-horsey crowd as those that follow the sport. We have had great feedback over the variety of stall holders and what a wonderful day out it is for all generations and hope that it becomes a date for the diary for many more years to come. Thanks also to Marquess of Abergavenny who owns the estate for hosting the event and allowing us to grow it year-on-year.”
EVENT SPONSORS:
- SsangYong Motors UK (title sponsor)
- Allen & Page
- Voltaire Design
- Batcheller Monkhouse
- Wadhurst Supplies
- The Billy Stud
- Mid-Sussex Timber
- G Collins & Sons
- Sofas & Stuff
- Day Equestrian
- NFF
For more information, please visit www.eridge-horsetrials.co.uk
