Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing Cancelled at Gatcombe Park

Princess Anne's long-cherished dream, a magical vision she once shared with her former husband Captain Mark Phillips, has been shattered due to overwhelming financial challenges.

For over forty years, a captivating equestrian extravaganza has graced the tranquil countryside estate of Princess Anne.

However, the esteemed festival of British eventing, a beloved tradition that took root in the 1980s at Gatcombe Park, has been deemed unfeasible by its organizers.

The sprawling royal estate, spanning an impressive 700 acres in Gloucestershire, was a collaborative creation of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

Together, they breathed life into this extraordinary event.

In a solemn announcement posted on the festival's official website, the organizers expressed profound sadness as they disclosed the cancellation of the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park for the current year.

Despite the unwavering dedication of the organizing team, the prevailing economic circumstances have rendered the event financially unsustainable.

The organizers pointed to adverse weather conditions that plagued Gatcombe Park last year, ultimately leading to the premature demise of the event.

Moreover, the escalating expenses linked to operating on a pristine greenfield site have turned the festival into an unattainable aspiration.

Peter Phillips, the visionary behind the grand spectacle and Princess Anne's son, conveyed his heartfelt sentiments.

He announced with a heavy heart the regrettable absence of the festival, a cherished fixture in the British equestrian calendar since 1983.

Over the span of four decades, this event has become intricately woven into his family's narrative and the lives of numerous others, fostering a vibrant community that has reveled in the festival's splendor year after year.

Captain Mark Phillips, a revered figure in the equestrian world and the patriarch of Peter Phillips, disclosed that the horse trials at Gatcombe and, more recently, the Festival of British Eventing, have been integral to his life for over four decades.

Since the inception of the dream he shared with Princess Anne, the event has flourished into reality, crafting a treasure trove of cherished memories.

The riders, horses, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators have all played pivotal roles in shaping the rich history of the horse trials at Gatcombe Park.

Regrettably, they now witness the evolution of the original vision and the sport itself in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The costs, particularly insurance expenses, have soared to unprecedented levels, rendering the event unsustainable.

This development signifies the conclusion of an era, paving the way for a new chapter in the sport's history.