Festival of British Eventing

ALICE LUKEY-SMITH

In the heart of one of the most picturesque regions of England, the Cotswolds, lies Gatcombe Park, home to HRH The Princess Royal. For the past 35 years in August, the middle of the British summer, Gatcombe Park has been host to the Festival of British Eventing.

The Festival attracts competitors from all over the world and incorporates the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships, as well as the Amateur Championship, The Corinthian Cup and for the first time in 2018, the RoR/NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship.

As a sport, Eventing is often considered one of the toughest equestrian disciplines, with a single horse and rider combination competing across the three disciplines of dressage, cross country and show jumping.

You’re probably wondering how any of this has any relevance to the forthcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and I can’t blame you, however, for the first time in 2018 the Festival of British Eventing was sponsored by Magic Millions.

Stu Boman & Alice Lukey-Smith

Clint Donovan, Johnny & Susie McKeever, John Ferguson, Lucinda Hall & Katie Page-Harvey

Zara Phillips MBE, Captain Mark Phillips & Peter Phillips

When we received the invitation to be guests of Magic Millions at this event earlier in the year, I was intrigued that an Australian sales company was sponsoring a quintessential British sporting event but didn’t think too much further about it. Guests were invited down on the Friday afternoon and I don’t think anyone quite expected what a truly fantastic weekend they were to be a part of.

After welcome drinks we were all taken to Aston Farm, the home of Mike and Zara Tindall, where we enjoyed their hospitality along with Captain Mark Phillips and Peter and Autumn Phillips.

The following morning we arrived early at Gatcombe Park. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the weekend had to be a tour of the cross country course, with Captain Mark Phillips talking us through how he designs and builds the course each year and Zara explaining just how challenging the course is to ride. A gold medal winning Olympian and multiple Badminton Horse Trials-winning Champion, Captain Phillips offered an insight into just how physically demanding the sport of Eventing is and how a horse and rider rise to such a challenge during the ‘six’ minutes it takes to complete his course.

“Gatcombe Park is the most beautiful setting and it was amazing to be shown the course by Mark Phillips and his daughter Zara,” said fellow guest Johnny McKeever.

“He has spent many years perfecting a really demanding cross country course that has brilliant viewing for the public who can see close up the skill and bravery of the competitors. Zara related to us how frightening it is to ride it!”

I must admit that until I went to the weekend I had thought it was different for an Australian-based auction house to be sponsoring a very British sporting event. However, in reality, the equestrian world is a small one, with Australian Christopher Burton winning the CIC3* while Mark Todd flew the flag for New Zealand.

Between the show jumping in the main arena were a number of competitions and displays including the Shetland Grand National. Among the young jockeys were a number of familiar names with Ryan Moore’s son Toby and the daughter of Shadwell’s retained rider Jim Crowley competing in this very popular spectacle.

“At the end of the day all equine sports are the same - it’s about the amazing empathy between horse and human - their competitive spirit and their trust in each other.

Aston Farm

Mike Tindall & Peter Phillips

“Racing and Eventing are very different disciplines but essentially it’s all about that same fundamental. There’s an understated relationship between both disciplines too.”

The British weather stood up and complemented the weekend which sadly had to come to an end. I think every guest will have come away with an insight of what goes into producing such an event from the volunteers who stand at each jump to the Philipps family.

“It was such a fun weekend,” said fellow guest Hannah Wall. “It was really great to see Magic Millions throw their support behind the event and it was so well organised by Katie, Barry and their team. Zara and Mike have such a strong and important relationship with Magics and it was fantastic to see that on show in this part of the world.”

I think it’s fair to say that I wasn’t the only person who questioned why an Australian-based thoroughbred auction company would sponsor an event that has no direct link to the business. But on reflection, it does. The people attending and participating in the event share a common bond with the racing world - a love of the horse, from the groom right through to the owner.

A surprising number of people from the racing world follow other equestrian disciplines and it was fantastic to see former racehorses now competing at this level.

But now with the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale only a matter of weeks away, the focus turns to the Gold Coast.

“I don’t want to sound like a massive suck up, but in my 30 odd years in the bloodstock game Susie and I have never been so amazingly looked after by any sales house as Magics,” added McKeever.

“The whole ethos of a massive welcome by Katie and Gerry and their team is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. They're outstanding. It’s why everyone wants to travel to the Gold Coast after Christmas!”

I hope that they are rewarded with their sponsorship of a truly fantastic event.

110 / MM FESTIVAL OF BRITISH EVENTING