THE clock is ticking down to the 2017 Firle Place International Horse Trials and Country Fair which take place this weekend at Firle Place.

One of the five oldest horse trials in Britain, the event is an established fixture in the summer calendar for country lovers. It attracts more than 5,000 visitors, 500 riders and 1,000 dogs annually.

Riders representing ten nations from as far afield as Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa will be there.

Standing out from the crowd will be Jake Tarrant from Uckfield, who for the past five years has been raising awareness of the charity Against Breast Cancer.

He said: “It started as a tribute to my aunt who died from breast cancer.

“Firle is our local event and we’d always take a family picnic so it was the obvious place to start what has become a regular performance.

“Initially it was just about raising awareness but now I am raising money too.”

Saturday offers a mix of equestrianism and shopping.

Riders will perform a dressage test before tackling first show jumping and then the cross-country where horses gallop across the parkland at around 25mph over a diverse range of solid fences.

Meanwhile, numerous trade stands and more than 40 Weald craft exhibitors will be selling their wares.

On the Sunday there is plenty more equestrian action, the hugely popular farmers’ market and a variety of dog-related entertainment from a fun dog show to a rare breed area.

Visit www.firleplaceevent.co.uk to find out more.

Firle Place is the family home of Nicholas Gage, 8th Viscount Gage, whose family has owned the land at Firle since acquiring it from the Levett family in the 15th century.