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Hopes For Double Gold Dashed At The Last Minute

Great Britain just missed out on a Double Gold in a breath-taking and nerve-wrecking jump off at the Olympic Games where the world’s best Nick Skeltonriders fought out the medal winning positions in gladiatorial style.

Course Designer Bob Ellis and his team had built a course that was not only impressive for the 21,000 thousand spectators packing the grandstands but also for the horses and riders contesting it.   A time allowed of 84 seconds meant that riders had to seriously consider taking one of the options offered on the course for them to cut out a stride or two, if they weren’t to incur time penalties.

Team GB, as a result of their stellar performances throughout the Olympics culminating in their winning a Team Gold on Monday, were in the fortunate position of having three riders eligible to contest the Individual medals at stake. Jumping in reverse order based on penalties accrued previously, the score-card is then wiped clean, with the 37 riders qualifying for the Individual competition all starting on zero. The team must have been on tenterhooks watching some of those go before them as fences were falling, time penalties were being notched up and even some of the world’s most respected riders were coming out of the arena having notched up penalties running into double figures.

Scott Brash with Hello Sanctos, a 12 year-old bay gelding owned by Lady Kirkham and Lord & Lady Harris was the first of the British riders coming forward, and he proved to the world what a calm, collected and focused 26 year-old man he is.   Competing at his first Olympics, with a horse he has only partnered for six months and knowing that there had only been three clear rounds before him,  came into the arena and produced the most perfect clear and within the time allowed.  Walking Sanctos out of the arena on a long rein as if he had all the time in the world the grandstands went wild in their appreciation. CLICK TO  READ MORE HERE.
 Release courtesy of British Showjumping


See Katie Price at Horse of the Year Show 2011

Katie Price has confirmed that she will be attending this year’s Horse of the Year Show, Birmingham NEC, (4th – Horse of the Year Show9th October 2011).

Katie will be doing product signings to promote her new Autumn/Winter equestrian clothing range, KP Equestrian, on Friday 7th October 2011 at 1.30pm. Fans will get the chance to browse her latest collection of fun and fashionable equestrian wear and get their purchases signed by Katie herself. This season’s collection includes the addition of gorgeous patent leather riding boots in a range of colours with diamante trim, fleece rugs as well as bridles, headcollars, breeches and casual clothing.

KP Equestrian will have its own stand in Horse of the Year Show’s extensive Retail Village. Located at stand S2C, KP Equestrian is one of 250 plus exhibitors at the show.

Katie said: “I have been coming to Horse of the Year Show since I was a young horse-mad teenager and it is still one of my favourite shows. It has something for everyone to watch from dressage to show jumping, scrurry driving to showing. The Retail Village is packed full of great shops and I am very much looking forward to meeting my fans this year.”

 

HOYS to Host NPS Supreme Mountain & Moorland Pony of the Year Championship Class at 2011 Showlick

Grandstand Media Ltd announced today that a NPS Supreme Mountain & Moorland (M&M) of the Year class will be added to the 2011 Horse of the Year Show timetable. The class will consist of the champion and reserve combinations from the Ridden M&M Pony of the Year, the M&M Working Hunter Pony of the Year and the Mini M&M Pony of the Year classes.

Further to the conversations with the NPS an additional change to the Ridden M&M class will also be implemented for the 2011 season. This will see two breed qualifiers taking place at the various breed shows throughout the qualifying season. This will ensure at least two of each M&M breed is represented at Horse of the Year Show.

Grandstand Media Ltd has also made one further change to a section of the Ridden M&M class. At the 2011 show the Highland Pony will have its own section in the Ridden M&M classes, splitting away from the Fell and Dales Ponies whom it currently competes against in the qualifying rounds and Ridden M&M final at HOYS. This change has resulted from research into entries for the ridden M&M qualifiers which show the number of Highland Ponies that compete in the qualifiers against the number of Highland Ponies who actually make it through to the finals at HOYS is not a true representation of the popularity of the breed. As a trial for the 2011 season, 10 qualifiers will take place for the Highland Pony (details of the 2011 HOYS qualifiers will be announced soon).

A change to the M&M Working Hunter Pony of the Year class has arisen following an extensive review of qualifiers for the class. Grandstand Media Ltd will be imposing minimum and maximum fence heights as well as a minimum number of fences to be jumped in the qualifying classes. This move has been made after opinion echoed, at the focus groups held earlier this year, that there is no consistency between what a pony is expected to jump at the qualifying rounds and then at the final. This change is to ensure that the competition stays at its highest possible level and promotes consistency throughout the season.
The M&M classes have been a popular and important element of the HOYS timetable since 1999. These positive changes are being implemented to ensure that each M&M breed is truly represented so Britain’s finest native breeds can be celebrated at the world’s most famous horse show.

Horse of the Year Show 2011 will return to the NEC, Birmingham from Wednesday 5th – Sunday 9th October 2011. 2011 tickets are currently on sale at the 2010 prices (offer ends 31st December 2010). For tickets and more information click here
 

Ellen Whitaker Takes British Open Title 2010

The British Open Show Jumping Championships came to a dramatic finish today with the capacity crowd enjoying one of the most exciting finals to date. Reigning Champion and this morning’s top rider on the Championship leader board, Robert Whitaker entered today’s final with a jump in hand. Riding his new but extremely talented ride, USA Today, Robert jumped clear in the first round of the final, maintaining his zero penalties score. However, show jumping’s golden girl and Robert’s cousin, Ellen Whitaker had also jumped superbly over the four days of the show and has been hot on Robert’s heels at every step. Ellen followed Robert’s lead and also produced a faultless round to maintain the minimum difference between the top two riders going into the jump-off. Second to last to go in the jump-off, Ellen riding Equimax Ocolado jumped a foot perfect round to finish on four points in a fast time of 48.10 seconds. Robert had to jump clear or be faster with four faults to regain his title.

Entering the arena with a few last words of advice from father John, Robert looked set for the challenge. USA Today cleared the first few fences with plenty of space but his boisterous behaviour in between fences caused Robert to loose time. The atmosphere and tension in Birmingham’s LG Arena was electric with the last jump becoming the decider. At the final fence USA Today produced a characteristic buck just before take off and the combination rolled a pole at the final fence, finishing on four faults in a time of 51.65 seconds. With equal points but a faster time the Championship was Ellen’s. The crowd really appreciated this dramatic ending to four days of intense competition and Ellen and Equimax Ocolado’s fantastic consistency and skill earned them the prestigious title which has evaded them thus far. Ellen commented, “I am so happy! Equimax Ocolado jumped out of his skin and has been so careful every step of the way. This is one title I have been chasing for a while and one I really wanted to win so I am ecstatic with the result and the £25,000 first prize!”

Knights fo Middle England & A New Voice make to HOYS 2010
 

Grandstand Media Ltd, organiser of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), is delighted to announce that the winning H Factor presented by Equimax & Eraquell act, the Knights of Middle England, and commentary competition winner, Jo Thoenes, will entertain audiences at this year’s event. The World’s most famous Knights of Middle Englandhorse show will take place at the NEC’s LG Arena from 6th – 10th October this year and promises to be a spectacle not to be missed.


Fronted by Karl Ude-Martinez, The Knights of Middle England completed a long qualifying journey to be crowned H Factor presented by Equimax & Eraquell winners and win the illustrious place at HOYS, appearing everyday alongside the renowned Frederic Pignon. After two gruelling qualifying rounds Karl and his team of talented knights spent four days at the British Open Show Jumping Championships this month competing for audience votes against the remaining finalists, Saffron Waldon Musical Ride, gladiator girls Equestrienne and stunt show Rockin’ Horse. All of the H Factor presented by Equimax & Eraquell finalists put a tremendous amount of effort into their displays and provided fantastic entertainment for the British Open audience. More than 5,000 people voted for their favourite act and with over 46% of the votes the Knights were declared winners. Already a crowd favourite, the Knights were delighted with the result and cannot wait to entertain the audience at HOYS in October.. Click here for more British Open News.
 

 

 

 

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