Olympic showjumpers to compete at HOYS

Two members of Great Britain’s Olympic showjumping team will be in action at next week’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

John Whitaker and Michael Whitaker, who were both part of the Olympic team competing in Rio earlier this summer, are among the Brits competing at the popular show, held in Birmingham’s NEC (5-9 October).

They’re joined by other big names including Robert Smith, William Funnell, Phillip Miller, Guy Williams, Tim Stockdale and Nicole Pavitt.

The international line up includes riders from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the USA. A strong contingent of Irish riders will also be present, including Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch, Anthony Condon, Billy Twomey and Shane Breen.

There are 11 International showjumping classes held at HOYS throughout the week, commencing on Thursday and finishing with the prestigious Leading Show Jumper of the Year Grand Prix on Sunday. This class, and three others, carry World Ranking points.

Sunday night is the gala performance evening, and will feature a parade by Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton and Big Star, as well as a performance by the West End cast of Mamma Mia.

HOYS hosts the finals of many national showing and showjumping championships, while this year’s displays include the exclusive performance by Gilles Fortier – ‘Vulcanium – Dreams of Fire’ – a dressage masterclass with Olympian Carl Hester MBE, the Virbac 3D Worming Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, and the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship.

Making a nostalgic return to the Show is the Musical Drive of the Heavy Horses, while on Sunday the inaugural British Ridden Heavy Horse Championship will be held.

Outside of the arenas, visitors can check out the Parelli Interactive Area and the huge HOYS Retail Village.

For show information, including the show timetable, and to book tickets, visit www.hoys.co.uk

Find out how you can watch televised highlights from HOYS on Horse & Country TV.