Nunney International Horse Trials, which will take place near Frome on June 16th to 18th has appointed a new course designer.
Helen West, who is the current manager at Bicton Arena, will take over this year.
Organiser Bridget Parker said, “We are delighted to be working with Helen. She has become a good friend of the Nunney organising committee and we are looking forward to implementing some changes to the course this year, under her guidance.”
Nunney International Horse Trials is in its fifth year having moved from Longleat in 2013. Classes at the event range from BE100 to CIC2* and attract many top international riders.
Helen comes well qualified for the task having been awarded a course designing scholarship by British Eventing in 2015. She has also evented as a professional and won team gold at the Young Rider European Championships in 2001.
Helen said, “I am thrilled to have been asked to design the tracks at Nunney and am relishing the opportunity to put my mark on them.
“Nunney is a prestigious event and one that I have enjoyed competing at regularly. I would like to think that having previously ridden around the tracks it will give me a good insight into how the courses ride and what feel it gives. I am looking at making changes to the tracks for 2017 and possibly reversing the courses, which will certainly give them a different feel.”
Helen designs the courses at Bicton Arena’s three BE competitions and is passionate about creating designs that encourage and build confidence, offering a positive experience for both horse and rider.
She added, “My aim is to educate horses and riders, ask clear questions without tricking horses and promote good jumping, which in turn produces a good picture.
“Nunney is particularly special for me as I rode horses for the late Lt Col John Colson and his wife Jessica, who is still on the organising committee of this event. I know John will be looking down on me and willing me to produce good tracks. ‘Big and bold’ he will be saying!”
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