NUNNEY International Horse Trials, which take place on June 17, 18 and 19, has announced Adrian Ditcham is returning as course designer.

He will replace Helen West whose commitments as CEO of British Eventing mean she is unable to continue with course designing.

Adrian designed at Nunney’s inaugural event held at Southfield House in 2012 and remained in situ until 2017.

He said: “Nunney is a fantastic venue, both from the competitors point of view, and for spectators. It’s always had such a good following and is a very popular event with a lovely feel. For spectators you can see so much of the course too, which is quite unusual.”

This year, Nunney will be hosting one of three Intermediate Masters classes, a new competition to the BE calendar with other classes being held at Rockingham International and Belsay International.

 Adrian said: “I’ve been involved with the working group that has instigated the class and I think it will be very popular, as it gives riders who are not at the top of the tree something to aim for. It should be very well supported.”

While the majority of the courses at Nunney will remain the same, there will be a few changes. “The main course plan will follow Helen’s designs, with some tweaks at the far end, as we have lost a field, and we’ll also change a few fences, and include a special new Platinum Jubilee Fence to celebrate The Queen’s jubilee,” explained Adrian.

The course will be built, as usual, by the Willis Brothers and classes include a CCI-S3* and a CCI-2*. Entries open on May 9, with the ballot date May 24.

Organiser Bridget Parker said: “We’re very pleased to have Adrian back on the team as it is always useful to have fresh eyes on a course. He designed for us at Nunney from 2012 to 2017 and so is very familiar with the track. With Helen stepping down due to her BE commitments it was a great opportunity to invite Adrian back as we’ve had such a good association with him over the years.”