July 22, 2002

The inaugural qualifier of the newly created CIC World Cup will be held at Gatcombe Park (GBR) over the weekend of 2 - 4 August 2002. It will take place in the framework of the British Horse Trials Championships, a three star One Day Event. Apart from the CIC World Cup competition, the event will also include the National Novice Championship as well as the Intermediate and Open Championship.

The number of competitors has significantly increased since the event was fist held in 1983. This year, more than 300 entries have been registered including such eminent riders as William Fox-Pitt, Blyth Tait and Pippa Funnell.

As announced in FEI Press News 17 of 19 June 2002, the CIC World Cup is organised on a three-star level and consists of qualifying competitions, held for a full calendar year starting on 1 August 2002 and ending on 31 August 2003, and a final. Apart from the Gatcombe CIC***, the following three qualifiers will be held in 2002

16 - 18 August: Ribersborg, Malmö (SWE)
23 - 25 August: Martinvast, Cherbourg (FRA)
8 - 10 November: Nichelino, Torino (ITA).

The qualifiers for the period 1 January - 1 August 2003 will be decided at a meeting of the CIC World Cup Sub-Committee in October 2002. The final will take place from 23 through 26 October 2003 in Pau (FRA).

For further information, media representatives can contact the press office by phone on +44.20.7467 9845 or email bridget@h-up.co.uk or kim@h-up.co.uk or check the event's official website www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk.