Tickets are still on sale for one of the country’s foremost eventing fixtures, The Eventing Spring Carnival, that is set to take place from 31 March – 2 April 2023, in the grounds of Thoresby Park. The 2023 edition promised to be bigger and better than ever, and with a record-breaking entry for the feature class – The Lycetts Grantham Cup (CCI4*S), the entry list reads as the who’s who of eventing.
Sixty-six of the eighty-eight Badminton bound horse and rider combinations are slated to start at the Thoresby Park event. Favoured by many as the go-to preparatory run for the spring 5* events, the CCI4* will offer fans of the sport an opportunity to see the frontrunners – and enjoy close proximity to their favourite riders – all whilst enjoying the carnival atmosphere and spectacular parkland setting.
With the world’s elite heading to Nottinghamshire, who should you be keeping a look out for?
World number 1, Tim Price (NZL) brings forward his Maryland, USA, CCI5* winning ride, Coup De Coeur Dudevin for the Grantham Cup, along with Vitali for the Advanced. World number 2 and other half of the Price ‘power couple’, Jonelle Price (NZL) has 4 rides entered across the weekend including Mcclaren, with whom she picked up Team Bronze at the Pratoni World Championship last year.
It will be World Champions galore at Thoresby, with the 2022 World Champion, Yasmin Ingham (GBR) set to compete with her championship partner, Banzai Du Loir. Former World Champion, and world number 3, Ros Canter (GBR) will have all eyes on Lordships Graffalo who utilised the Thoresby CCI4* in 2022 to prepare for Badminton, where they finished 2nd on their CCI5* debut. Former World and European Champion, Zara Tindall MBE, competes established 4* campaigner Class Affair and first timer Classicals Euro Star in the CCI4*S.
Oliver Townend MBE (GBR), currently ranked 4th in the world, is no stranger to international success, with no less than seventy-five international victories under his belt. The Olympic Team Gold medallist from Tokyo 2020 brings forward 2 of his nominated Badminton entrants – As Is and Tregilder, for the Grantham Cup.
Follow Olympic Team Gold winners, Laura Collett MBE and Tom McEwen MBE also feature. Laura Collett finished 3rd at Thoresby Park last year before going on to lift the coveted Badminton trophy with London 52. Meanwhile Tom McEwen, who also won an individual silver medal at Tokyo 2020, brings forward JL Dublin in their key preparatory run before the Spring CCI5* in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as fan favourite Toledo De Kerser, and CHF Cooliser who both head to Badminton.
Tom McEwen MBE commented on his appearance at The Eventing Spring Carnival: “The Eventing Spring Carnival, at Thoresby, is still a relatively new addition to our calendar, taking over from Belton which has always been used as great prep run for Badminton, or Kentucky. It’s a great show with plenty of atmosphere, and it’s a real mecca of the best horses preparing for their halfway season goal.
It’s a place to go and put yourself against the best of the best that are going out for Burghley and Badminton titles and see where you are. Not every horse will be running fast but you get a feel of where you are in the field.”
Eventing enthusiasts who’d like the chance to meet their heroes will relish the addition of the Equitex Rider Zone, which will play host to several meet-and-greets with riders and brand ambassadors within the expansive trade and food village. The most notable meet and greet opportunity being Sunday 2nd April, with Instagram and YouTube sensation Harlow Luna White.
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
