Nunney gets ready for International Horse Trials event

THE village of Nunney is preparing to host its first Nunney International Horse Trials event. It will be a busy summer for the builder of the course, Adrian Ditchum, who is also working on the cross country course for this year’s London Olympics. The horse trials, which will take place from the 15th-17th June, are moving to Nunney this year after being held in Longleat for the past 25 years. A new venue was sought following the change in commercial direction at the Longleat estate. The trials are being run by kind permission of Angela Yeoman and her family. There will be an opportunity to savour the top level riding competition during the three-day event. There will also be plenty of tradestands and catering outlets. Helping to promote the event as the event’s official ambassador is event rider and photographer Lucy Criffiths, who is married to international evening star Sam Griffiths. The couple live close to the event and Sam is already heavily involved as a member of the organising committee. Lucy’s role will involve promoting the event locally, in the Somerset and Dorset area, as well as among fellow event riders. They will also be including up-to-date news on the event on their own blog atwww.samgriffithseventing.co.uk and an insight into preparing for an international event atwww.nunneyhorsetrials.co.uk. Lucy said, “We know it was a big blow to John Colson and his team when they lost Longleat after 25 years and we are only too pleased to offer our support to Nunney. It’s a huge task laying on a completely new event but with the same team, and the same classes, we are sure it will be a huge success. “The new site at Whatley looks perfect for an event and will offer a good galloping track and we’ll help as much as we can.” More information about the Nunney International Horse Trials can be found at www.nunneyhorsetrials.co.uk. Wiltshire company, Willis Brothers, will also be building the fences for the Nunney event.