WILTON park was the venue for the Horse Trials sponsored by Whitehead Vizard, writes Tim Crisp.

The two day event consisted of the three disciplines that make up the trials, Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country. Eventing is unique because riders from around the world attend all kinds of eventing events and Wilton was no exception, with Olympic medallists competing alongside grassroots riders in different groups.

This year’s Cross Country course was set in the beautiful, natural undulating parkland with a maximum of 19 fences on the intermediate test.

On Saturday, the tests were affected by the rain which made for difficult conditions, however there were first place finishes for some of the top riders.

Dani Evans (Great Britain) won Novice Section A and BE 100 Section G, Jonty Evans from Ireland won Section B and BE100 and Section E was won by Salisbury based Vicky Brake, on Penhills President, a horse of which she is the owner. Andrew Nicholson (New Zealand), who won this years Badminton Horse Trials, won BE 100 Section F.

The weather was kinder on Sunday and Sir Mark Todd (New Zealand), who is based at Badgerstown near Swindon, took the Intermediate Section J spoils.

Section K was won by another southern hemisphere rider, Christopher Burton (Australia). Former European junior champion Vittoria Panizzon ITA won the Open Intermediate Section L class.

Section M open intermediate U21 saw Emily King (Great Britain) from Devon in first, second and third position, on three different horses. Section N was won by another crowd favourite, William Fox-Pitt. Section Q saw Chippenham based Beanie Sturgis come home in first place, and the final Section was won by Lewis Drew.

For many of the riders their next stop will be at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire for the Festival of British Eventing.