Leading the charge for the horse trial tradition

Horse trials were originally developed as military events to test an Officer's skills and to check if he had the fitness required to carry on with his duties the following day.

These days the sport - known as three-day eventing - has evolved from those original military requirements to the following disciplines: dressage, cross-country and show- jumping.

As well as being a skills challenge, three-day eventing is a comprehensive test of the all-round ability between horse and rider and examines the partnership between the two.

Known as the Concours Complet International, or CCI, the modern three-day international event is overseen by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

Internationally, there are four levels of competition, ranked by stars according to the ability rating. To succeed, riders and their horses must be highly skilled in all three disciplines of the competition.

Princess Anne is perhaps the most famous exponent of the sport, and in August next year she is hosting the spectacular Festival of British Eventing at her home in Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. This competition will incorporate the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships.

The Princess was a member of Great Britain's 1976 Equestrian Team at the Olympic Games in Montreal and she won a gold medal at the European Championships in 1971. Her first husband, Mark Philips, won gold in the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich.

There is a close-knit, professional equestrian community throughout the United Kingdom, which ensures that the tradition of Horse trials will be part of British life for many years to come.

horse trials - http://www.atholl-estates.co.uk/events_horse_trials.cfm

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