THE ‘WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HORSE SHOW’ IS JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the ‘World’s Most Famous Horse Show’, is now just over a week away and the 2011 equestrian spectacle at Birmingham’s NEC looks set to be better than ever running for an incredible six days and packed with exciting new additions and old favourites.
 

As well as featuring the finals of the most prestigious national showing and show jumping championships, HOYS also runs a full programme of international show jumping classes in the run-up to the Leading Show Jumper of the Year Grand Prix held during Sunday night’s Gala Evening performance. Britain’s top ten riders, many of whom could be in the 2012 GB Olympic squad, are invited to take part alongside a host of elite foreign riders from the top of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) world ranking list. Watch these riders as they go head to head in a number of classes, including the world-famous Puissance, where a select few will tackle an imposing wall more than 7ft tall.

 

Prestigious competition is at the core of Horse of the Year Show, and juxtaposed with the cream of British equestrianism are a variety of family friendly entertainment and features. Visitors can get up close and personal to horses in the new Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area. On every day of the show, the alternative horsemanship team will be demonstrating their techniques in a tailor-made mini arena in the centre of the Retail Village. The two headlining displays, the Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, appearing by permission of the CO HMR, and the compelling French performer, Magali Delgado, will thrill visitors every day of the show. Back by popular demand, the spectacular military tradition of the Household Cavalry will leave a lump in your throat and a wave of ‘Rule, Britannia!’ washing over you. Magali Delgado, wife of renowned equestrian performer, Frédéric Pignon is a master of classical dressage and artistic horsemanship and will be presenting her beautiful Lusitano, Mandarin, in the UK for the first time. Back to thrill the crowd throughout the week will be the high-speed Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry and the exhilarating Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup.
 

With two arenas, 1,500 horses, 1,400 competitors, a huge variety of shopping at over 250 stands and 65,000 visitors, HOYS transforms the NEC into an equestrian extravaganza with something for everyone. No other sports event offers over 10 hours of entertainment per performance.
 

Saturday night has sold out and there is limited ticket availability in some price bands, so don’t delay in booking your experience at Horse of the Year Show. Getting there couldn’t be easier as the NEC has excellent road, rail and air links so is totally accessible from anywhere in the country.

For show information, including the full show timetable and timings, and to book visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.