Highclere to host pre-novice for first time Highclere Castle, Sunday 25 August & Bank Holiday Monday 26 August 2002

Highclere Castle’s Festival of the Horse 2002 and The International Horse Trials (near Newbury, Berks) is to host a pre-novice event for the first time on Sunday 25 August 2002; providing a unique opportunity for the grassroots end of the sport to compete alongside our top international riders who will be taking part in the Intermediate and Advanced Intermediate sections (25/26 August 2002); as well as providing two whole days of cross country for spectators.

Commented Winnie Murphy, Marketing Manager at British Eventing,

“We are delighted that Highclere is to host a pre-Novice class. Demand is always high at this level of competition and mixing the international and grass roots of the sport will give the pre-novice competitors a real sense of achievement at such a prestigious venue.”

This year’s Highclere event benefits from the increased support from Mitsubishi Motors Reading - the cross country course will include a Badminton-style Mitsubishi pick-ups fence for the first time, and Mitsubishi will host a charity luncheon for The Spinal Injuries Association in a new mobile executive hospitality suite from Golden Corporate.

Further improvements planned this year include a more spectator-friendly layout with the Cross Country Start being routed near the Main Arena for the first time (and The Finish to be located close-by); with the Cross Country commentary being broadcast to Main Arena spectators and across the whole venue.

Further information at www.highclerecastle.co.uk or www.britisheventing.com

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