THE action is already underway at Osborne House for the biggest horse trials ever to be hosted on the Island.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Sarah Holmes about to enter the dressage arena on her horse, Greenvale Coriado.  Photo: Kate Young

Island horse enthusiasts are in for a special treat with the London Capital and Finance-sponsored event, which will continue through into tomorrow.

Eventing will be squeezed into a compact format, with two days of fast-paced competition, featuring Olympic gold medallists and Island event rider Sarah Holmes, who will ride three of her horses.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Island event rider Sarah Holmes.  Photo: BEDE Events

Each day will finish with a cross-country finale to decide the winners.

The dressage is expected to run through to 11am daily, showjumping will be held between 11.30am and 1pm and cross-country 2pm to 4pm.

Sarah began this morning with the dressage event on Greenvale Coriado at 9.53am and, if you wish to cheer her on, her start time in the showjumping on the same horse is at 12.19pm.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Oliver Townend on Elm Rainbow in the dressage this morning.  Photo: Kate Young

In the Albert Bowl event, Sarah will also be riding Dunganstown Fleur in the dressage at 10.40am and the showjumping at 1.05pm.

The trials will star Australian three-time Olympic gold champion Andrew Hoy, plus British stars William Fox Pitt and Mary King.

Also confirmed are Oliver Townend, who has 155 top three placings at international FEI events and will be one to watch, plus Izzy Taylor, who finished second in the UK rankings in 2017.

Other riders to look out for are Ireland's Austin O'Connor, whose riding career has included Olympic performances at Sydney in 2000 and Bejiing in 2008.

American rider, Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp is bringing two horses to the event, Fernhill By Night and Cooley Quicksilver.

Fernhill By Night is particularly experienced at this level, with notable results including a fifth placing in the hotly-contested Event Rider Masters at Barbury recently. 

Younger riders include Emily King, 22, who is the daughter of Mary King. 

Emily has an impressive equestrian CV, which includes a gold and silver medal at Junior and Young Rider Europeans. She is also the reigning under 25's National Champion.

Organisers BEDE Events offerered 6,500 Island schoolchildren tickets to see the event, which falls in the school summer holidays.

For more details, visit: www.bede-events.co.uk