International Showjumpers confirmed to compete at Horse of the Year Show

International Showjumpers confirmed to compete at Horse of the Year Show

Book your tickets now to witness the greatest names of British Showjumping compete at this year’s Horse of the Year Show. HOYS is delighted to announce the International Showjumpers who will be competing at the “World’s Most Famous Horse Show”, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 5th – 9th October 2016. There are a total of 32 spaces for riders competing in the CSI3* classes here at HOYS. Of the 16 places available to GB competitors, the following 15 British riders have been confirmed including two of the Team GB Olympic Showjumping riders and the British Showjumping National Champion 2016. They are:

· John Whitaker
· Michael Whitaker
· Robert Smith
· William Funnell
· Helen Tredwell
· Joe Clayton
· Phillip Miller
· Kerry Brennan
· Anna Power
· Guy Williams
· Louise Saywell
· James Smith
· Tim Stockdale
· Joe Whitaker
· Nicole Pavitt

From the 16 spaces available to Foreign International riders, the following 16 competitors have confirmed that they will be competing at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show. They are:

· Francois Jr Mathy (BELGIUM)
· Jos Verlooy (BELGIUM)
· Karel Cox (BELGIUM)
· Julien Epaillard (FRANCE)
· Cian O’Connor (IRELAND)
· Denis Lynch (IRELAND)
· Anthony Condon (IRELAND)
· Billy Twomey (IRELAND)
· Shane Breen (IRELAND)
· Gert Jan Bruggink (NETHERLAND)
· Harrie Smolders (NETHERLAND)
· Gier Gulliksen (NORWAY)
· Victoria Gulliksen (NORWAY)
· Mario Wilson Fernandes (PORTUGAL)
· Angelie Von Essen (SWEDEN)
· Lauren Hough (USA)

There are 11 International classes held at HOYS throughout the week, commencing on Thursday 6th October and finishing with the prestigious Leading Show Jumper of the Year Grand Prix on Sunday 9th October. This class, in addition to three other classes, carries Longines Ranking points and has the biggest prize fund of Horse of the Year Show at £40,000. Taking place during the Sunday evening’s gala performance, it will provide exhilarating competition ahead of yet another equestrian great entering the arena to celebrate his success; Nick Skelton will parade Big Star as part of the HOYS Finale.

The 2016 Horse of the Year Show will host the finals of the most highly regarded national showing and show jumping championships, alongside international show jumping and an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment. They include the exclusive display from Gilles Fortier ‘Vulcanium – Dreams of Fire’ Performance, Dressage Master Class sponsored by Arbonne with Olympian Carl Hester MBE, the Virbac 3D Worming Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship, as well as the world famous HOYS Puissance. Making a nostalgic return to the Show is the Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses under the command of HOYS official Mr John Peacock. The teams of heavy horses will be entertaining the audience every day with two performances on Saturday and on Sunday. Also on Sunday will be the inaugural British Ridden Heavy Horse Championship.

The popular Parelli Interactive Area will make a welcome return, and of course the famous HOYS Retail Village featuring hundreds of trade stands. An extra special finale on Sunday night will include a guest appearance from gold medal winning show jumper Nick Skelton and his horse Big Star as well as a performance by none other than the London Company of the West End Hit Musical ‘MAMMA MIA!’ performing some fun-loving numbers sure to have everyone singing, dancing and celebrating our 2016 winners.

For show information, including the show timetable, and to book tickets, visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.