Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing

The Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing, 4-6 August 2023, marks a very special milestone in 2023 with the marking of its 40th anniversary. Started by HRH The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips in 1983 ‘to give something back’ to the sport they loved, the competition which takes place in the beautiful parkland at Gatcombe House is now one of the most popular events in the equestrian calendar.

Family has always been at the heart of The Festival and that relaxed and informal atmosphere continues to this day with Peter Phillips, now Event Director, and his father Captain Mark Phillips in place as Chairman and Course Designer. In fact, Peter and his sister Zara grew up with the event taking place in the Park Bowl below Gatcombe House every summer. “When we were younger, Zara and I were part of the Menial Task Division (MTD). Made up of the children of organisers and volunteers at the event, menial jobs for the MTD ranged from errand running and roping the course to cutting grass and setting up furniture.

Today the tradition continues with a whole new generation of youngsters helping out including my own children. As I grew up, I got more involved in the organisation of the event, until officially taking the reins as Event Director in 2018,” he remembers. Things have changed enormously since that first event, which was known as the Croft Original Championship back in 1983. Legends like Lucinda Green, Mark Todd and Bruce Davidson have been succeeded by the top global riders including Tim Price, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend battling it out for the Magic Millions British Open title, a much sought after trophy. That’s not all though, the first weekend in August now sees competitors of the highest calibre contesting no less than five National Eventing Championship titles. In addition to The Magic Millions British Open, there is also the Evelyn Partners British Intermediate Championship, the Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship, the TopSpec Challenge for The Corinthian Cup and the RoR/NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship. With so many Championship titles on offer, The Festival is a true showcase for all levels of eventing from amateur to elite.

Five Championships

The Magic Millions British Open is one of the most prestigious titles in the sport of eventing attracting the most well-established horses and riders on the world stage. Having completed the dressage and showjumping phases of the event earlier, Sunday afternoon sees competitors run cross country with the top ten jumping in reverse order, keeping the tension and excitement running right until the last horse comes through the finish line.

The Evelyn Partners British Intermediate Championship and the Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship attract horses on their way up the ranks with the likes of Badminton winner Tamarillo having won the Intermediate title with William Fox-Pitt at The Festival in the past.

The TopSpec Challenge for The Corinthian Cup launched in 2015 and is a restricted amateur Novice championship. It is a true Novice test and, in keeping with the grassroots nature, riders must not have completed an Intermediate class in the current or preceding five years making sure that the competition is as fair as possible for amateur riders.

The Festival also hosts the RoR/ NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship sponsored by the National Trainers Federation which is exclusively open to horses that are finding a new career in eventing after previously racing.

Main Arena Attractions

The next best thing about The Festival after the amazing sport out on the parkland is a fantastic opportunity for spectators to see an array of other competitions such as Pony Club Showjumping, Arena Eventing and dog agility - so there is plenty to do. There will also be the ultimate crowd pleaser, the Shetland Pony Grand National. The ponies may only be 40 inches high and the jockeys no more than 13 years old, but the competition is just as fierce as at Aintree! The eventual winner also goes on to qualify for the final at London International in December so you may well be watching a star of the future!

Visitors to the event in August can also enjoy extensive shopping and dining opportunities, with over 100 trade stands ranging from homeware and country clothing to art and jewellery alongside food options offering many local treats, providing something for all of the family.

THE FESTIVAL THROUGH THE YEARS world – in our opinion - head on down to the Park Bowl. This has got to be close to the most perfect place for a picnic anywhere. Settle down and enjoy the action as a whole host of top international riders and their horses navigate down through the water complex and on to the end of this very exciting cross country course. The Box Office is open, so make sure you book your tickets now at www. festivalofbritisheventing.com

Previous winners of the British Open Championship over the past forty years include names such as Lucinda Green, Mark Todd, Mary King, Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend and Jonelle Price among many more big names.

41% of those winners are female and 59% are male which really highlights that equestrianism is the only sport left where men and women compete on a level playing field; and you get to be a part of it.

Since the first competition in 1983, there have been 38 Open Championship winning horses and 23 Open Championship winning riders.

Mary King, William Fox-Pitt and Mark Todd have the most wins with 4 a piece!

Where it all began - At the very first event in 1983 where the legendary commentator Mike Tucker is interviewing Lucinda and David Green.

David (AUS) won the very first event at Gatcombe Park on Mairangi Bay, back then it was called the Croft Original Championship.

Croft Managing Director Mr Manuel Zarraluqui presents Mark Todd with the Croft Original Trophy in 1985. Mark won the Championship with Charisma who also went on to win

Proving once again that The Festival is a family occasion –here is Captain Mark Phillips taking part in one of the main arena attractions with the Kangaroo Kid in 2015.

Alan Davies and Zara Tindall with Valegro

Come and meet us at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on 14-17 September 2023