Dressage riders announced for HOYS!

Grandstand Media Ltd, the organisers behind the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), are delighted to confirm the riders for the two dressage features at this years show. Audiences will be treated to a dressage master class with Richard Davison on Friday 8^th October and a Grand Prix Freestyle competition on Sunday 10^th October 2010.

On Friday afternoon Triple Olympian and the 2009 HOYS Equestrian of the Year, Richard Davison will be hosting a master class with riders from the World Class Development Squad, Nikki Crisp and Charlie Hutton. Nikki is fresh from her win at the recent Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships where she triumphed in the Horse Health Intermediate II class with lovely mare Pasoa. A professional rider and trainer, Nikki and Pasoa have been progressing through the ranks with great success but this was Nikkis first Championship win. National Dressage Champions one week, HOYS the next!

Charlie Hutton is making his own name in the sport, coming from the hugely successful Hutton family where mum, Pammy owns and runs Talland School of Equitation in Gloucestershire. A professional and highly regarded rider in his own right, Charlie is a member of the Young Rider team and was one of only three riders last year to be selected to represent Britain at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival where he won the team Gold and Individual Silver.

Both Nikki and Charlie will undergo a training session with Richard in the Andrews Bowen International Arena where they will demonstrate their training and skill for the audience. Richard will talk the audience through the techniques and movements and offer valuable guidance to the riders to help them perfect their performance.

Sunday is Grand Prix Freestyle day, and what a way to start the day! The freestyle competition is where riders perform specially choreographed patterns to music. The tests contain all the different Grand Prix movements and the judges award technical marks for the various movements, as well as artistic marks. The combination of music and these extravagant routines are absolute must-sees, especially crowd favourites, Steph Croxford and Mr. President. This years competitors are:

Steph Croxford (Derbyshire)

Rhett Bird (Warwickshire)

Jackie Bevan (Gloucestershire)

Kenneth Dyrby (Suffolk)

Richard Davison (Staffordshire)

There is still one rider to confirm so keep an eye on the HOYS website to find out the final six competitors.

If you would like to enjoy the Dressage from a very special vantage point, dont forget about our Hospitality facilities. The Hospitality area offers an unrivalled view of the arena and is a wonderful setting to enjoy the show in. For more information about Hospitality at HOYS or to book tickets, see the website or call 01582 711 411.

Visitors are advised to book their HOYS tickets early to avoid disappointment Please note bands on some days are limited and other performances have already sold out. For show information, including the full show timetable and timings, and to book general tickets visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.

 

Following the most successful show ever, Horse of the Year Show 2010 promises to be another exceptional event not to be missed! This years show will take place from 6^th 10^th October at Birminghams NEC and will host the finals of the most highly regarded showing and show jumping championships, alongside an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment. From spectacular displays to tense competition, Horse of the Year Show is not to be missed.

As well as featuring the finals of the most prestigious national showing & show jumping championships, HOYS also runs a full programme of international show jumping classes, five of which offer world ranking points. The crowd favourite Puissance class returns during Saturday evenings performance, with the audience on the edge of their seats as riders tackle the infamous red wall.

Alongside the competition, and exclusive to HOYS visitors, the headline entertainment act will be the much acclaimed Frederic Pignon! Brother of HOYS favourite Jean Francois Pignon, Fredric will perform his very own unique, awe-inspiring display for the first time EVER in the UK!

In addition, HOYS will also play host to the winning H Factor act The Knights of Middle England. Their exciting display features fast paced stunt riding and jousting by a team of regal and very handsome Knights.

The high speed Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing and the thrilling NFU Countryside Pony Club Mounted Games for the prestigious Prince Philip Cup also return to the Show alongside the HOYS Dressage Special (Fridays performance only) and the new Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle during Sundays Daytime performance.

With two arenas, 1,500 horses, 1,400 competitors and a huge variety of shopping at over 250 stands, The NEC is transformed into an equestrian extravaganza with something to excite every visitor.