STURMINSTER Newton’s William Fox-Pitt is set to ride at the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing over the course of the weekend, at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire.

Fox-Pitt will be riding in the Smith & Williamson British Intermediate Championship, Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship and the Advanced Class while Sam Griffiths, from Gillingham, will be riding four horses over the weekend, two of which will be competing in the Magic Millions British Open CIC3* Championship.

This year, the event will host five British Championships; the Magic Millions British Open Championship CIC3*, the Smith & Williamson British Intermediate Championship, the Dodson & Horrell British Novice Championship, the TopSpec Challenge for The Corinthian Cup and the RoR/NTF Retrained Racehorse Event Championship. Riders in these classes will all be vying for the chance to lift the coveted trophies.

Fox-Pitt has a long list of achievements to his name at the festival, having won the British Open Championship four times and he first won it back in 1995 aboard Moon Man.

This year he will be riding Atlantic Vital Spark in the Championship, along with Yes I Can in the Intermediate Championship and Oratorio II in the Advanced Class.

Event director Peter Phillips said: “We are delighted that Sam Griffiths and William Fox-Pitt are competing at this year’s Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing. I am excited to welcome back many familiar faces as well as some new ones and would like to wish all competitors good luck.”

Arena attractions will also feature with the Devil’s Horsemen set to thrill the crowds, while the Shetland Pony Grand National returns to the main arena for another year with the young jockeys competing for a ticket to the prestigious final which takes place at Olympia, The London International Horse Show in December. The majestic Dressage to Music display always enchants the crowds and the Hound Parade is very popular with families and for the shoppers in the family there are over 100 selected trade stands offering an eclectic mix of fashionable country attire, jewellery and equestrian brands. If attendees are looking for something a little different there are unique gifts and an amazing array of sweet and savoury treats on offer in the Rural Crafts marquee and for the foodies, there is the Festival Food Walk where you can pick up the finest produce that the area has to offer.