 Crowds in their thousands will this Summer descend on the East of England Showground in Peterborough for the annual Lycetts Festival of Hunting, taking place on Wednesday 17th July 2019 with tickets now on sale. The prestigious and historic occasion is to be one of the most anticipated days of the summer social calendar with the countryside community out in force. The event offers a glorious annual showcase for the world of hunting boasting the greatest gathering of hounds in the country.
East of England Agricultural Society CEO and Secretary of The Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, Jeremy Staples said: “The date is set for Lycetts Festival of Hunting with plans firmly underway to ensure 2019 is a year not to be forgotten. We are delighted with the standing the event has achieved in recent years as it continues to grow year-on-year, attracting not only those with an active interest in the hunting world, but the wider lifestyle visitor too. This year’s event will seamlessly blend tradition and modernity as it plays host to both the 131st Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show together with marking the launch of a new Young Vice Presidents Membership and Young Handlers Class. These newly introduced initiatives seek to champion the opportunities in rural pursuits available to the next generation by offering unique access to the standout event in the hunting calendar. We are very much looking forward to welcoming fresh faces together with longstanding supporters when we open the gates to the East of England Showground on Wednesday 17th July.” The Young Vice Presidents Membership is available to those aged 25 and under and seeks to engage tomorrow’s rural community with the world of hunting. Together with a Young Vice Presidents named badge and discounted membership priced at £25, Young Vice Presidents will receive a reserved seat in the Foxhound Enclosure and be eligible to purchase guest badges for the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show, Lycetts Festival of Hunting and Vice Presidents Luncheon. Registration is now open on the Lycetts Festival of Hunting website. As a recognition of those who give their time freely in support of the sport, this year also sees the introduction of a new class for young handlers of hunts exhibiting at Lycetts Festival of Hunting. The class will be eligible for those aged 12 to 16 who regularly help with hounds of hunts exhibiting at the event. Competitors will be required to show a single hound with the aim of demonstrating their knowledge, experience and control of the animal. The wonderful spectacle of hounds competing in the outdoor rings will be as colourful as ever, with the attendance of Harriers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Draghounds and Bloodhounds. The Blencathra Fellhounds will return following a debut parade in the Foxhound Ring last year. The Sealey Terriers, Coursing Dogs and The Fitzwilliam Eagle are also set to provide a wonderful sight for visitors. A full video from last year’s event is available to view at: www.festivalofhunting.com
0 Comments
 The Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show is taking place from June 12 to 16, 2019 and offers luxury hospitality experiences in the stunning grounds of Bolesworth Castle near Tattenhall, Chester.
For 2019, the stage is set for an unforgettable year of equestrian action featuring the best riders from around the world. Cheshire’s premier sporting and social event promises to be better than ever offering a unique VIP experiences. The VIP Hospitality will take centre stage as guests can experience Bolesworth in style in the arena side Marquee overlooking the International Arena. The range of world class equestrian prestige spans across five days, featuring a Dressage Demonstration, Prix St. George, Puissance and the Equerry CSI 4* Grand Prix. There is plenty of entertainment for everyone with a dedicated Ladies Day, Elite Yearling Auction, Business Lunch and the full throttle Ride & Drive all featured in the packed line up. There will be a chance to shop a great range of equestrian & lifestyle brands, relax with a glass of something chilled and enjoy locally sourced food throughout the show. As night falls, the Equerry Bolesworth International transforms and Club Boles hosts evening sessions starting from 6.30pm until late, every night there will be a special themed evening with a DJ. As well as an international live band on the Saturday night! VIP Hospitality prices start at £95 per person include admission & VIP parking; lunch & afternoon tea or evening dinner, champagne reception and access to Club Boles for those looking at evening packages. To book your hospitality places for the event please visit www.bolesworthinternational.comor contact Melanie Simm on 01829 307676.  The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting has been a showjumping institution for nearly six decades.
On Sunday 23 June the 59th Al Shira’aa Derby will take place, where top riders will face the iconic course that includes the Devil’s Dyke, the double of ditches, one of the widest open water jumps in the world and the fearsome 10ft 6in slope of the Derby Bank. This year, reigning champion William Funnell will bid to become the first five-time winner of this famous class Spectators will get their first impression of Derby form in Thursday’s Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard, and then they must qualify for the main event during Friday’s Bunn Leisure Derby Trial. The focus of Saturday afternoon is the British Speed Derby, where riders tackle some of Hickstead’s permanent fences at top speed. Showing highlights include the final of the Tattersalls/RoR Thoroughbred Show Horse Championship, plus there’s scurry driving, carriage driving and more. On Saturday evening, the Celebrity Derby Challenge sees leading showjumpers give a new sport a try. Tickets start at £20 for general admission with advance discounts and concessions available. Admission is free on Thursday. Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk.  23-28th July
At 112 years old, the Longines Royal International Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the world, with top class showjumping, showing, driving and arena eventing all forming part of this five-star event. Hickstead plays host to the Longines FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain, held on the Friday afternoon, which gives spectators their only chance to see the British riders compete as a team on home turf. Britain will be aiming for their first home win in the series since 2010, while Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the USA will also be competing for honours in this historic team competition. Wednesday features a host of prestigious British Showjumping Winter Finals, with the international classes getting underway from Thursday onwards, with the focus of this day being the Amlin Plus Eventers’ Challenge. Saturday’s highlight is the BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup, while the show concludes with the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup, a Grand Prix boasting a €150,000 prize fund. All of the showing classes at this show are championships, which means horses and ponies have been campaigned all over the country in order to claim one of the qualifying tickets just to compete on Hickstead’s hallowed turf. Saturday is Ladies’ Day, where the best-dressed ladies have the chance to win some great prizes. This is the official show of The British Horse Society, and Her Majesty The Queen is the official show patron, giving the show its Royal prefix. Tickets start at £20 for general admission with advance discounts and concessions available. Tickets are on sale now from www.hickstead.co.uk.  THE ‘must watch’ programme of the year on Horse & Country TV – the Omega Equine All Star Academy – is set to have you crying, laughing and wanting more!
This five-part, hit equestrian reality TV show premieres on November 25 at 9pm and is the channel’s biggest and most anticipated event of the year. Starring eight wannabe academy students the hour long programmes provide warts and all action as they strive to impress the celebrity judges and instructors during their stay with Pammy Hutton at the legendary Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire. The contestants, six female and two male, will undertake a battle-royal as they do everything in their power to be the third winner of the prestigious title which includes the chance to co-present an episode of the channel’s Rudall’s Round-Up programme with well-known host, Jenny Rudall. Providing plenty of laughs, highs and lows along the way the Omega Equine All Star Academy is set to prove very entertaining and great viewing over the forthcoming weeks. The team include 30-year-old Guy Simmonds from West Wales. A falconer by profession he has been working hard to compete at BE90 level and his dream is to fly falcons from horseback. Debbie Day will partner her 16.3hh Clydesdale Farra, and after getting over a fractured pelvis a year ago is aiming at dressage and show jumping. Coloured mare, Remi belongs to Sophie Wratting and their four year partnership has come on in leaps and bounds thanks to being bold and not afraid to be different. Nikki Sinclair (35) is a geography teacher with two young boys who will partner her bay gelding Jake in the series. Student veterinary nurse Gabrielle Wheatley from Wiltshire and her seven-year-old mare, Fleur are currently focusing on show jumping, while Georgia Russell and Barney are now eventing after a set-back when she sustained a broken leg while out eventing. Tessa Halsall from Suffolk bought her horse Hal as a gangly yearling hoping he would make 17hh, she says with a smile, he became an overgrown pony but certainly wouldn’t swap him for another! Last, but not least, in the Omega Equine All Star Academy team is Jake Tarrant, an event rider who has big ambitions for his rides Troy and Waldo. The programme will see the students not only riding and training but also demonstrating their skills when it comes to turnout, natural horsemanship, equine anatomy and media expertise. Look out for leading names Charlie and Pippa Hutton, Harry Meade and many more as they guide the students over the series. Tune in to Horse&Country TV on November 25 at 9pm – SKY Channel 184 or Virgin Media channel 298, H&C web and mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Prime, Amazon Fire, Roku.  On Friday 21 December 2018, Olympia is set to host the highly anticipated Markel Champions Challenge, which this year will take the form of a ‘Battle of the Sexes’, as the Girls take on the Boys in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
The Markel Champions Challenge will see the jockeys switch disciplines for one night only, as they compete in a relay Show Jumping competition. This is the fourth year of the Markel Champions Challenge at Olympia and it has quickly become a highlight of the week, featuring as part of Olympia’s ‘Race Night’. Sir Anthony ‘AP’ McCoy, who is returning to Olympia this year, as captain of the Boys’ team, made up of a group of elite jockeys hoping to be crowned champions. Pitched against “McCoy’s Boys” will be the racing world’s “Girl Power” – a team of leading female jockeys captained by Bridget Andrews, who recorded her first Cheltenham Festival winner in 2018. With a long list of achievements under their belts, both captains have the credentials to lead their teams and claim the Markel Champions Challenge title. An undisputed racing legend, McCoy has been enjoying his retirement but will retake the reins at Olympia once again. McCoy’s team – hand-selected in a bid to continue his Olympia winning streak – comprises some of racing’s top names, including current Champion Jump Jockey, Richard ‘Dickie’ Johnson, who has partnered at least 100 winners in each of his campaigns since 1997. Johnson will be joined by fellow jump jockey, Harry Skelton, son of Show Jumping Olympic gold medallist, Nick Skelton. No doubt Skelton will be learning a thing or two from his father ahead of Olympia. Adding further scope to “McCoy’s Boys” will be Jim Crowley, who rode over 100 winners on the National Hunt circuit before turning his hand to flat racing, brilliantly winning the Flat Jockeys’ Championship in 2016. Crowley, whose daughter, Alice, has followed in his footsteps to ride in the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia, will bring his combination of jump and flat racing experience to the Grand Hall. Together with three-time Champion Jockey, Ryan Moore, the formidable “McCoy’s Boys” will no doubt give Bridget and her girls a real run for their money. McCoy, who is competing at Olympia for the third year, said: “The Markel Champions Challenge is such a crowd pleaser and we all love it. I thought I would ‘retire’ after last year’s win but my kids had other ideas so I’ll be back to beat the Girls and claim another win.” Juliet Redfern, Managing Director of Markel’s Equine and Livestock division, commented: “Markel is delighted to be continuing its support of this fabulous event, which gets more competitive every year. Having a “Girls v Boys” theme this year puts a new twist on things, and I’ll of course be rooting for the girls! Combining such a popular event in support of a thoroughly worthwhile charity in the Injured Jockey’s Fund – it doesn’t get any better.” Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “Olympia is becoming one of the highlights of the jockeys’ year, as they have so much fun. We can’t thank Markel enough for its continued support of the work we do, and we’re looking forward to being part of ‘Race Night’ again.” ‘Race Night’ at Olympia, the UK’s largest indoor Show, will involve an evening of race-themed entertainment. With a full line-up still to be announced, spectators can expect appearances from the legendary Bob Champion, whose charity, The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, is supported by the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National, in which crowds can cheer on the young jockeys and their Shetlands over a mini Grand National course. More information about Olympia, The London International Horse Show, and details on how to secure your place at one of the equestrian performances of the year can be found online at www.olympiahorseshow.com  Olympia, The London International Horse Show will welcome Team GBR’s medallists from the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon 2018 to the annual event to take part in a celebratory parade on the evening of Thursday 20 December 2018. The parade marks the success of British athletes, who won eight medals this summer, giving spectators the opportunity to show their appreciation for these top riders, owners and Chefs d'Équipe, after their successful campaign at the WEG. Reigning Olympic champion, Charlotte Dujardin CBE, will be a central figure in the parade after she and her nine-year-old mare won individual bronze in the Dressage Grand Prix Special competition, with a personal best score of 81.48%. Dujardin, who also clinched team bronze in the Dressage Grand Prix on the first day of the dressage competition, will be joined by fellow bronze medallists and teammates, Carl Hester MBE, Spencer Wilton and Emile Faurie. Olympia will also celebrate the achievements of Gemma Tattersall, Piggy French, Tom McEwen and Ros Canter who, after a commendable year, took prime podium position in the Eventing at the WEG. Not only helping the team to post the lowest score in world championship history, Ros Canter held her own to take individual gold, making it a double sweep for the record-breaking Brits. Adding to the line-up will be Natasha Baker MBE, who stormed the Dressage arena to take a silver medal in the Grade III Para-Dressage Individual Championship. Baker’s win came aboard Mount St. John Diva, adding to Mount St. John Equestrian’s medal haul, the breeder of Dujardin’s ride, Mount St. John Freestyle. Baker will be joined by Nottinghamshire’s Sophie Wells MBE, whose world championship got off to a golden start by taking top honours in the Grade V Individual test. She topped off a successful Games by winning her second gold medal, this time in the Grade V Individual Freestyle. Baker and Wells will be accompanied by Sir Lee Pearson and WEG debutant, Erin Orford, who, together, won silver in the Para Dressage team competition. Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “It is an honour to be welcoming the leading British equestrian teams to this year’s Olympia. The parade hails the fantastic achievements of Team GBR and the exceptional group of riders.” The WEG athletes will be accompanied by the successful British Youth teams, as this next generation of riders join the Thursday evening parade to celebrate their own medal achievements of 2018. One athlete who will take part is Jack Whitaker, son of Show Jumping legend, Michael, who won individual Show Jumping silver at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina this September. Taking place from 17-23 December, Olympia will provide the platform for top international equestrian competition, with many of the World’s elite riders expected to compete at the Show. Highlights include three FEI World Cup™ competitions in Show Jumping, Dressage and Carriage Driving, not to mention international displays from La Garde Républicaine, and ‘Land of Fire’ Azerbaijan, bringing their traditional Karabakh horses to the Grand Hall.   “I was told I had to be in Liverpool by the 30th December by my daughter Eve. It just shows you how things change in your life when you start getting bossed around by your 11-year-old daughter” says 20 times Champion Jockey, AP McCoy.
Now retired from National Hunt racing, despite being one of the greatest figures in sporting history, he now finds himself “being dragged to shows and mucking out ponies!” Eve who is an avid young showjumper and clearly a chip off the old block, will be competing in the mini-major competition, together with a number of young riders taking part alongside celebrity showjumpers. The mini major will feature approximately 14 pairs of kids paired up with top professionals all in fancy dress. Previous pros that have competed in this class include the very fast Matt Sampson, John Whitaker and the UK’s leading lady rider Laura Renwick. The class will be the feature of the afternoon performance on Sunday 30th December. “Eve is mad excited about going to Liverpool and I was told I had to be there so I’m flying back from Leopardstown especially” says AP. “She really loves competing and she’s got plenty of bottle which you can’t teach a kid. I see certain traits in her as I have - she’s not a great loser and she gets upset with herself. Even when it goes wrong or I shout at her, she comes back for more. No matter how much a parent gives their kids they can’t give them nerve and desire, that has to come from within. You can feed it and nurture it but at the end of the day it has to come from the kid.” AP talks about the importance of having sporting idols and watching those riders in order to improve. For Eve, Nick Skelton is her hero. “I took her and a friend up there last year and Nick and Laura Kraut gave them a riding lesson. For her, it was the best thing ever, she was more interested in him than she was in me.” The whole McCoy family will go to the Liverpool International Horse Show, which consists of Eve and her younger brother Archie, plus AP and mum Chanelle. “We’ve planned the Christmas around it,” says an excited Chanelle. “We have no expectations, Eve does of course. But I think it’s a brilliant experience for kids to feel the pressure of the big day when they are young. It really prepares you for later in life and when you do go into the working world, it helps if you know those emotions already. “She’s very conscious of impressing her dad which is nice but we had to sack AP as an instructor because of that clash of personality,” she laughs. “AP and I were very relaxed as to whether she was into ponies or not, it had to be something that came from her but she really loves it and she wants to be the best. It’s lovely that she is so ambitious. It must be in her DNA that she is not satisfied taking part, she wants to win.” “Nick Skelton is her hero, she once asked me if Nick was too old for her to marry. She was so in awe of him when she went up for a lesson. She had lots of questions for him and I thought well isn’t it great that she’s got an icon like Nick rather than some social media influencer.” “AP and I were very relaxed as to whether she was into ponies or not, it had to be something that came from her but she is really loves it and she wants to be the best. It’s lovely that she is so ambitious and that must be in her DNA. She is not satisfied taking part, she wants to win.” Chanelle talks about the differing emotions she feels when watching her daughter show jump in comparison with watching AP race. “Watching Eve, I feel excited. With AP it was a different emotion because with being a jump jockey, injury was very much part of the course, so you’re always worried. Watching my daughter show jumping is so enjoyable and I get quite emotional when she does well.” “Even though I don’t miss AP riding because I’m so grateful that he has retired in one piece and he doesn’t have any severe injuries but I think we would miss the buzz if we had nothing. Whereas now, there is not a nicer weekend for me where we load up the lorry and head off to a show.” To book tickets and for further information visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com  FINE Dining, world class equestrian competition, the very best family entertainment and great fun all at the same time – it has to be this year’s Liverpool International Horse Show!
The show will see a host of leading names in action from December 28 to 31, at The Echo Arena on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront. As you sit back and enjoy watching the world’s leading show jumpers and dressage riders in action, make time to soak up the glamour of your surroundings. Enjoy the thrill of the equestrian competitions, top class music from Rick Parfitt Jnr and the RPJ Band and heart-stopping entertainment while you enjoy the very best food and drinks in hospitality over the festive and New Year period. Hospitality at The Liverpool International Horse Show is second to none and makes a fantastic present for great friends and family. Whether on the purpose-built platform at the head of the arena or in one of the VIP boxes – you won’t be disappointed. The ever popular Champagne bar will be located next to the Equitop Myoplast warm up arena allowing you to get right up close to the horses and riders as they prepare for the fantastic show jumping and dressage competitions that will take place over the three days. If it’s the New Year celebration you are looking forward to, of course there will be plenty of fizz to pop at midnight. Or if shopping is your pleasure, there will be lots to choose from in the extensive shopping village. There will be a wide range of shopping from boutique, designer stands, to homeware, luxury goods, artisan food, saddlers and equestrian retailers. The Liverpool International Horse Show is running December 28 to 31, 2018. To reserve VIP Hospitality tickets on the purpose-built stage at the head of the arena please contact Hospitality Manager, Melanie Simm on 01829 307676 or email melanie@bolesworth.com. The packages for the Liverpool International Horse Show on the Hospitality Platform are priced as follows:- All afternoon sessions - £162 & VAT per person Friday, Saturday and Sunday, evening sessions - £180 & VAT per person New Year’s Eve - £205 & VAT per person Tables accommodate parties of 6 or 8. VIP PLATFORM Hospitality Package
Party Package
PRIVATE BOXES Whether coming to the show with family or a group of friends, the private boxes offer something for all. Located on the top floor with excellent views of the Main Arena, each box accommodates 10 to 12 people with allocated arena seating within the box enclosure. Ideal for families with young children or small groups, offering an informal layout with flexible dining and beverage options. The Package
Adults - £140 / NYE - £170 Children U12 - £100 / NYE - £130 Children U5 – free * *Maximum of four under 5's per box, with six full paying adult  Whatever your ambition in eventing as a rider, coach or owner, these exciting new lecture demos with Caroline Moore, British Eventing National Coach to u18/Junior Squad, Ros Canter, Senior European Team Gold Medallist, double gold medallist and new World Champion 2018 and support rider Heidi Coy, Junior double Silver Medallist, will shed light on the the journey of a horse and rider in training as they strive to achieve their eventing goals.
In a series of 4 lecture demos this November, Caroline and Ros will reveal the secrets of success when taking a horse from the early stages of training, through competing at grassroots, 1*, Intermediate and right through to Advanced 4* events. Caroline explains, "We will explain the backbones of the system required to produce horses successfully through the levels. Ros and Heidi will ride horses that they have produced from 4 year olds to championship level and we will demonstrate simple but effective exercises that establish the basics and beyond required for the successful partnership in this demanding sport." Join them to experience the fun and the challenges of the eventing journey, so that you and your horse can benefit this winter as you prepare for the 2019 season. Whatever level you compete at, you will take away top tips that will make a difference to your's and your horse's performance. LINK: Book your tickets now at https://bit.ly/2Q2MUBd for the following dates: 8th November - Scottish National Equestrian Centre, Scotland 9th November - Alnwick Ford - Northumberland 13th November - Vale View - East Midlands 15th November - Hartpury College - Gloucestershire Doors open 6.30 for 7pm start and last for 2.5 hours with a short break for refreshments. Guests are invited to donate to Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the sponsor Jump 4 Joy's charity of the year and the events will also be supported by Stierna Equestrian Sportswear. All ticket holders will receive special offers on the evening and the opportunity to enter a prize draw - more details to follow! For more details, follow: Caroline Moore Event Coach on Facebook. |
Archives
March 2019
Categories |
RSS Feed