THE three-star international show jumping at the world famous Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham has attracted some of the biggest names in show jumping, including the silver European medal winner and four Irish riders.

Billy Twomey, Shane Breen, David Simpson and Paul Kennedy – all based in Britain – will make up the Irish contingent at the show where the green jacket has dominated in the past. Last October, Cian O’Connor won the Leading Show Jumper of the Year Grand Prix with Super Sox, while Twomey and Breen both won classes.

Although O’Connor won’t return to the NEC this year, Breen has been in fantastic form this summer and, with a welcome injection to his already top string earlier in the year with the arrival of the Team Z7 horses, he is likely to threaten in the Grand Prix.

Sixteen British riders, including wild card recipients and the British Show Jumping Nation Champion, Annabelle Shields, who won the international Grand Prix at Balmoral this year, compete. There are three Whitakers in the line-up – John, Michael and Robert, while youngster Amy Inglis gets a slot after being the highest place individual medallist at the young rider European championships.

European silver medallist and winner of the 2017 Global Champions Tour, Harrie Smolders (world number six), heads the list of international riders to make the trip to England. France will be represented by Patrice Delaveau, while Lauren Hough, who is based in Britain for the summer months, will fly the American flag along with her student Paris Sellon.

Up and coming show jumper Emma Augier de Moussac represents the Czech Republic and the ladies, with Sweden’s Angelie Von Essen.

The first of the nine international classes will begin on Friday, October 6th with the Grandstand Welcome Stakes in the Andrew Bowen arena. The Naylors Equestrian Puissance takes place on Saturday evening when Anthony Condon (Cavalier Rusticana (ISH)), Sven Hadley (Rockstown Park (ISH)) and Padraic Judge (Citi Business) will represent Ireland.

Three competitions carry Longines world ranking points, including Sunday evenings Grand Prix with a prize fund of £40,000.

New for 2017 is the Leading Athlete Award with a prize of £2,000.

National show jumping champions in Britain will be crowned when the prestigious finals take place. The biggest of those – the Senior Foxhunter Championship – kicks off on Thursday evening, while the Talentseekers and the Connolly’s Red Mills Senior Newcomers Championships both take place on Wednesday in the main arena.