IRISH stars are once again set to head to this year’s Liverpool International Horse Show at the iconic Echo Arena from December 29th - 31st next.

Launched by Nina Barbour at the start of 2016, the show is already known for ‘the luck of the Irish’ with leading showjumper Billy Twomey claiming the spoils in the prestigious Liverpool International Grand Prix in 2016 and 2016/17 and the big question on everyone lips is, can the Cork rider make it three in a row in 2017?

This year’s Liverpool International Grand Prix will kick off the New Year’s Eve session, which will climax at midnight with spectacular indoor fireworks and live music from Rick Parfitt Jnr - the perfect way to see in 2018 in style with the whole family.

Saturday night will be Puissance night at Liverpool!

Last year’s Equitop Myoplast Puissance went to Northern Ireland’s Chris Megahey when jumping the big red wall at a soaring 2.10 metres on Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier to continue the Irish stars’ winning ways with Peter Smyth the winner in the show’s inaugural year.

Waterford rider Anthony Condon, who is based at Harthill Stud on the Bolesworth Estate, won this year’s Equerry Bolesworth International Grand Prix adding to the ‘Irish Whitewash’ of Barbour’s shows.

He will be at Liverpool looking to stop Twomey from achieving a treble, while Longford’s Aisling Byrne took the Amateur Championship in the first year and followed with the runner-up spot in 2016/2017, and will be aiming to go one better again this year.

Former National Hunt jockey and Grand National winner turned show jumper Paul Carberry, from Co Meath, is set to compete at the Liverpool International 2017 in the International Amateur classes and no doubt many of Ireland’s leading names will be joining him for a New Year to remember.

DRESSAGE

Friday night will see Dressage to Music for the first time at the Liverpool International, with up to 10 top combinations including Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato contesting an Inter 1 Freestyle (Dressage to Music) class.

Every session will feature heart-stopping Freestyle Motocross, live music from Rick Parfitt Jnr, the Shetland pony Grand National and a spectacular new horse stunt act ‘Luminoso’.

Without doubt this is one horse show you can bring all your family and friends to, with everything from Grand Prix showjumping, to magical dressage, Freestyle Motocross for the boys in your life – to the Shetland Pony Grand National – always a favourite with the kids!

MAGICAL FUN

This year’s Liverpool International Horse Show will see you watching top competitors in action, whilst soaking up the sheer glamour of the sport in the magical Echo Arena venue, decked out in festive and New Year celebratory style.

And don’t forget facilities around the Echo Arena include fantastic hotel accommodation, bars and top-class restaurants if you are looking to extend the party!

At each performance The Shetland Pony Grand National will see pint-sized jockeys on very feisty ponies racing their hearts out to be led into the winner’s enclosure. These Shetlands take their racing very seriously and travel all over the country performing at high profile shows…very high in ‘cute’ factor and a firm favourite with the children!

FMX, or Freestyle Motocross takes the sport of Motocross to another level with riders flying off a purpose built ramp with their bikes 40 feet in the air and will feature every sessions.

Due to the risky – some might even say downright crazy – nature of the sport, freestylers are highly paid sporting stars who compete in year-round competitions including the X Games, Red Bull X-fighters and the Arenacross World Tour.

Enjoy the thrill of the equestrian competitions, top class music and heart-stopping entertainment and why not enjoy the very best food and drinks by securing a place in the magnificent hospitality area over the festive and New Year period for you, your family and friends.

SHOPPING

Two floors of shopping village, open from Thursday to Sunday (and the fact that you can also buy tickets for shopping/warm up SJ on Thursday). We will have approx 80 shops with high end equestrian and lifestyle retail.

HOSPITALITY

Hospitality at The Liverpool International Horse Show is second to none and makes a fantastic present.

Whether on the purpose-built platform at the head of the arena or in one of the VIP boxes – enjoy the show from the best seats in the house, for all information and bookings, contact melanie@bolesworth.com (+44)1829307676.

For all show-goers the ever popular Champagne bar will be located next to the warm-up arena allowing you to get right up close to the horses and riders as they prepare for the fantastic show jumping and dressage competitions that will take place over the three days.

If it’s the New Year celebration you are looking forward to, of course there will be plenty of fizz to pop at midnight.

All the acts will be bringing spectators even more pyrotechnics and excitement with New Year’s Eve specials from Luminoso – the daredevil stunt display with horses and fire, the Freestyle Motocross riders and the Shetland Pony Grand National Final.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

If that’s not all, New Year’s Eve will be welcomed in with style thanks to Rick Parfitt Jnr and the RPJ band, not forgetting a spectacular indoor firework show as the clock strikes midnight with a few surprises along the way!

And if that’s not all the show is running an Early Bird offer with a great 20% off tickets bought before October 31st 2017.

TICKETS

Family tickets start from as little as £12.37pp plus booking fees. (Use code ‘JUMP20’ at checkout to claim earlybird discount).

Make sure you book in early while hotel rooms and flights are cheap!

For further information and to buy tickets with 20% off, visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com