FROM Olympic eventing legends to some of the country’s rising stars, the M&S Bank Arena at the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show is set to be turbo charged for the John Oates Horseboxes Eventing Grand Prix final.
The country’s leading event riders are set to travel to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront to contest Captain Mark Phillips’ course of show jumps and cross-country fences at the evening performance on Sunday, December 29.
Major names include Gemma Tattersall a winner at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show in June, Nicky Hill who galloped to success at the Equitop Bolesworth Young Horse Championship qualifier in August, and the in-form Laura Collett – a big winner at Boekelo in October.
Irishman Cathal Daniels took the honours at Stuttgart’s indoor eventing competition just beating fellow countryman, Padraig McCarthy – with both heading to Liverpool to take up the challenge.
Always one to watch, Emily King is known for both her show jumping and cross-country skills while Janette Brakewell, Polly Stockton and Paul Tapner will also be wasting no time as they will fight it out for a place on the winner’s podium.
Said TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show President, Nina Barbour: “We are excited to be welcoming a selection of the World’s best Event riders to compete at the M&S Bank Arena for the brand new John Oates Horseboxes Eventing Grand Prix Final.”
Captain Mark Phillips, one of the world’s leading cross-country course designers, will once again build the course, his tracks at both Bolesworth events meeting with universal approval from competitors and spectators alike.
This high calibre spectacle will include 20 of the country’s top event riders tackling a course of show jumps and feature cross-country fences, against the clock in the M&S Bank Arena.
The competition will see show jumps standing at a maximum of 1.25m, with three seconds added for each fence knocked down.
There will also be an optional joker fence at a maximum height of 1.35m providing greater thrill and excitement throughout the competition. The cross-country fences will be at British Eventing Intermediate level.
An ‘Audience With’ session at 4pm on the Sunday will feature leading event riders Mary King and Oliver Townend, and show jumper turned commentator Geoff Billington. The occasion will let fans enjoy, learn and interact with the equestrian stars in the Arena theatre and the upgrade cost is only £12.50 for adults and £7.50 per child, plus fees.
To reserve VIP Hospitality tickets on the purpose-built stage at the head of the arena please telephone 01829 307676 or email hospitality@liverpoolhorseshow.com
For further information and to book tickets visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
