There’s plenty of excitement in the pipeline as preparations for the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, Notts., continue on apace.
Entries for the popular Spring fixture are set to open at 1pm Wednesday 22nd February, using BEDE’s new approach to entries. Entries will be accepted in the order in which they’re entered, with class entry quotas being based on the previous year’s entry levels, with an additional contingency.
The event, set to take place from 31 March – 2 April 2023, has firmly established itself as one of the country’s foremost eventing fixtures, with an entry list that reliably features Olympic medallists, five-star winners, and stars-in-the-making, too. Its early season position makes it an ideal preparatory run for the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* a month later, and fans of the sport hoping to get a glimpse of the frontrunners – and enjoy proximity to their favourite riders – can enjoy doing both in this spectacular parkland setting.
For the second year, Captain Mark Phillips will be course advisor for the advanced cross-country course alongside BEDE Events’ Stuart Buntine, ensuring that competitors benefit from a wealth of experience for this pivotal early run. All international show jumping will be held on the expansive lawn in front of Thoresby Hall, too, lending a heritage feel to this popular new fixture. The battle for the highly coveted Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI4*-S will come to a head with the cross-country finale on Sunday. Friday and Saturday’s action packed schedule are sponsored by Warner Leisure and Investec respectively and promise to delight competitors and visitors alike.
New for 2023 is the Allstar B enclosure: it’s the place to be for this year’s event, with complimentary breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea available in a prime viewing spot overlooking the main arena and the cross-country course. Throughout the competition, top riders and eventing professionals – including European Champion Nicola Wilson, leading coach Caroline Moore, and former World Champion Ros Canter – will visit the enclosure to lead educational and entertaining talks in a format that takes inspiration from Formula One’s Paddock Club, and live-streaming will be available throughout the competition, too, to allow members to sit and enjoy the event in comfort. Allstar B Enclosure passes are priced at £85 per person, per day for the duration of the Eventing Spring Carnival. Members’ and day passes are available from £9 per person, as ticket prices are frozen at the 2022 rate.
“This year’s Eventing Spring Carnival is guaranteed to be bigger and better than ever, with something to keep every member of the family entertained,” says Stuart Buntine of BEDE Events. “Whether it is our ‘Kids in the Courtyard’ activities, fairground attractions, local and artisan food avenue, the hospitality enclosures or the world-class sporting action.”
The Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park takes place from 31 March – 2 April, and with something on the agenda for all the family, it’s a can’t-miss entry for the diary. To book advanced tickets, and save on the gate price, visit www.bede-events.co.uk
