Zara Phillips at Highclere Castle

The Highclere International Horse Trials are set to attract more than 1,000 riders over the Bank Holiday weekend

ZARA Phillips is one of the top event riders lined up for this year's Highclere International Horse Trials, which start today at Highclere Castle.

The three-day trials are set to be bigger than ever, according to sponsors, Peasemore-based KBIS British Equestrian Insurance.

More than 1,000 riders will compete, including Zara Phillips, winner of last year's headline Mitsubishi Motors Stately Homes Challenge.

Other international riders challenging for the £2,000 first prize include Andrew Nicholson, William Fox Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend.

“The trials is a firm favourite for riders due to the wonderful setting and the challenging cross country course which winds around the beautiful parkland, including passing through the aptly named ‘bowl' area, which, with the water complex at the heart of it, provides great spectator viewing,” said KBIS spokeswoman, Sarah Tye.

Many of the fences comprising the trials course, designed by Eric Winter and built by Adrian Ditcham, are of Olympic standard, used at the July 4 to 6 Olympic test event at Greenwich Park in London.

Other equestrian competitions include dressage and show jumping, with main arena displays including falconry displays by Ben Long, the South Downs Gundogs to music, dog agility, chase the bunny and fun dog show, to be judged by former Bond girl and Magpie children's television

presenter, Jenny Hanley.

The trials again support the ABF Soldiers Charity which aids serving and retired soldiers and their families.

For further information click on the link below.