Andrew Nicholson's Avebury - a three time victor at Barbury - is honoured with a video tribute
Avebury at the Avebury fence - from the videoThere are thirteen chalk white horses of Wiltshire. You can top off that unlucky number by adding eventing's Wiltshire wonder horse: Avebury - a grey who now matches the chalk horses for whiteness.
The organisers of the St James's Place Wealth Management Barbury International Horse Trials (July 9-12) are marking Avebury's outstanding successes with a video about him - which you can watch here. This video explains what makes him such a special horse.
In addition, the horse trials, which take place on the Barbury Castle Estate on Marlborough Downs, are renaming their signature fence on the cross country course after Avebury.
Avebury is ridden by Andrew Nicholson, whose stables are at Lockeridge, and owned by Rosemary Barlow. Last year Avebury and Andrew achieved a historic hat trick - winning the prestigious Barbury International three star competition for a third consecutive year.
Avebury was bred by Andrew, raised in Wiltshire and named after the Avebury World Heritage Site - just a few miles from Barbury. And Avebury is a regular visitor to the Barbury Estate where he works on its famous gallops.
Andrew Nicholson explains that Avebury is a straightforward horse who likes the crowds: "Avebury loves Barbury and he also loves the camera so filming this video was good fun. We are all proud of what he has achieved here and look forward to being back at Barbury in a few weeks time.”
Nigel Bunter, Chairman of Barbury International Horse Trials, sees the renaming of their most iconic cross-country fence as a fitting tribute to a wonderful horses: "We hope Avebury fans will enjoy our film on him. We want to encourage as many as possible to visit Barbury in July to see a living legend and maybe history repeating itself with a four timer!"
Another frame from the video
Tickets for the Barbury Horse Trials start from £12 per person per day booked in advance. Children under 12 years go free. For information and tickets visit the Barbury website or call 01672 516125