 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.
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 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.  London's New Year's Day Parade returns for 2019 celebrating Britain’s diverse multi-cultural capital with All The Queen's Horses showcasing plenty of variety amongst its equine participants this year.
"The Parade's theme is 'London Welcomes The World' and celebrates our vibrant, multi-cultural society and the visitors who flock to our capital from all over the world. On the 1st January 2019, London will see Norwegian, Spanish, German, Dutch, American horses stepping out with their equine friends from the United Kingdom in the party like no other." Explains ATQH Co-ordinator and Founder Caroline Marsh. "Every year our costumes take their cue from the theme and so be prepared to see wonderful traditional dress given a carnival make-over. With 60 horses and over 200 people involved in our section, we've already had months of preparation to ensure we too, are ready to welcome the world on New Year's Day." The LNYDP is a free family event and has taken place every year since 1987 with All The Queen's Horses participating since 2012. Around 500,000 spectators attend the event every year, and the route runs from Piccadilly near Green Park to Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall to Parliament Square. The parade starts at 12 noon, and you can catch All The Queen's Horses from 1 pm onwards. Enjoy one of London's highlights with its a unique equestrian angle. www.allthequeenshorses.co.uk Looking for amazing entertainment, brilliant equestrian sport and something for all the family - what better way to round off 2018 than a visit to the spectacular Liverpool International Horse Show.
Running December 28 to 31, this fantastic show will take place for the fourth year at the Echo Arena, on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront. New this year is the ‘Kids Zone’ that will cater for younger members of the family, providing a fun area packed with entertainment and laughter. For those little ones struggling to sit still the ‘Kids Zone’ is a great way to let them run off some steam and will allow everyone to enjoy the show. Girlguiding from the Sefton and Wirral districts is supporting this new initiative and will be running some fabulous activities as part of the ‘Kids Zone’. Group leader Beth Nugent-Hobbs said: “We are thrilled to be at the Liverpool International Horse Show. Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK, building girls’ confidence and raising their aspirations. We give them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good.” Added Show President, Nina Barbour: “We are delighted to have Girlguiding helping and organising some brilliant interactive and fun experiences in the ‘Kids Zone’ and look forward to welcoming them at the show.” Prices start at £13.85 per person per session (plus booking fee) for a family ticket, so they certainly won’t break the bank when it comes to present buying. As well as world class show jumping and dressage, there will also be plenty to keep the whole family enthralled with the popular Shetland Pony Grand National, supported by Jones Brothers Civil Engineering, which will see pint sized jockeys on their very feisty ponies battle it out for a place on the podium. A welcome return visit by the heart-stopping horse power that is Freestyle Motocross will have everyone sitting on the edge of their seat in awe of their bravery and skill. The FMX team always proves to be a hit with the crowds providing entertainment for all members of the family and of course the legendary Liverpool International musical entertainment. If you like a good tune, sing along or dance Rick Parfitt Jnr and the RPJ Band will be sure to have you on your feet with a range of well-known classic party anthems throughout each performance. The band is known for creating a spectacular atmosphere and getting everyone in the festive sprit. The Echo Arena will without doubt be the best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the whole family! The show will also be the stage for the world premiere of the Gilles Fortier equestrian acrobatic spectacle ‘PHOENIX’. The bespoke creation and choreography feature beautifully skilled horses, breath-taking stunt action and a pyrotechnic display of epic proportions. The event makes a great day and evening out for guests of all ages, so families can enjoy a rare opportunity to spend such an important occasion with their children including little ones, teenagers, grandparents and groups of friends. All tickets give access to the show's shopping village from 9am each day, with the shopping experience featuring a fantastic range of products from high-end equestrian outlets, exclusive fashion retailers, unusual giftware and beautiful things for the home. If you’re a horse fan excited to see some exhilarating 4* level competition, or simply wanting a great family trip to celebrate this New Year the Liverpool International Horse Show is the place to be. If you are going with friends and family and have 10 people or more in your group you will receive 10% off when booking your tickets in one transaction. Also, if you buy 10 tickets you get one free! To book tickets and for further information visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com All performances are suitable for young children, and accessible seating is available by contacting the Echo Arena. VIP Hospitality and Private Boxes are available for all sessions. All enquiries contact hospitality@bolesworth.com  Who is the most celebrated trainer in the world of equestrian sport at the moment? Almost certainly Chris Bartle, who has just coached Britain’s eventing squad to team and individual gold medals at the World Equestrian Games.
Stubbing Court Training Ltd (SCT) is delighted to be able to offer its equine apprentices the chance to train with Chris at an exclusive Masterclass at Vale View Equestrian in Leicestershire on 19 November. SCT Chief Executive Belinda Turner MBE said: “For many years we have provided our apprentices and their employers with incredible opportunities to learn from the very best British-based coaches and riders through our Masterclass Series. These act to inspire and encourage best practice, and have been very popular and successful. To gain access to Chris Bartle’s outstanding teaching and horsemanship for a second year running is fantastic and demonstrates his belief in great coaching from grassroots levels through to the elite.” There are limited places available at the Masterclass, and will be allocated as a reward to those apprentices who have met their targets for achievement. After a superb riding career that included winning Badminton and competing on championship teams for Britain in both dressage and eventing, Chris Bartle coached the German eventing team for a decade, winning multiple gold medals at World, Olympic and European Championship level. He became coach to the British eventing team after the 2016 Rio Olympics, and in the two years since Britain has won team gold at both the 2017 European Championships and the 2018 World Equestrian Games. SCT’s equine apprenticeships allow young people to earn a wage and gain valuable qualifications while learning from excellent professionals, giving them the best possible start to working life. It provides all-round support and advice to both apprentices and employers and, through its superb network of contacts within the horse world, is perfectly suited to fit the right person to the right set-up. Further information: Email: info@stubbingcourttraining.com |
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