A SIZEABLE Irish contingent will be in Liverpool this weekend for the inaugural four-star Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show (January 1st-3rd) which promises some top class show jumping and great entertainment over the new year.
Riders will be competing for a total prize fund of £160,000 over the three days.
Massive preparations have been ongoing at the Echo Arena ahead of the show which will feature a strong Irish challenge from Cork’s Billy Twomey and Tipperary brothers Shane and Trevor Breen as well as the hero of Mechelen, Tipperary’s Denis Lynch, Mayo’s Cameron Hanley and Co Down’s Dermott Lennon.
They will be joined by Anthony Condon, Peter Smyth and Paul Kennedy.
“My horses are all on form, and my aim next year is to get back into the top 30 in the FEI rankings. Liverpool has six world-ranking classes, so it’s important that I perform well,” said Twomey ahead of the show.
Meanwhile leading British show jumpers hoping to claim some of the top prizes include British Olympic medallists John and Michael Whitaker as well as Peter Charles, Laura Renwick, Guy Williams, William Funnell, Robert Whitaker, William Whitaker as well as 2015 Bolesworth International Grand Prix champion Yazmin Pinchen.
ENTERTAINMENT
Crowd entertainment will feature Liverpool Show’s own ‘Grand National’ of Shetland ponies and a spectacular display by six shire horses who will thunder across the arena. Musical connections with the city will be highlighted with a performance by the Bootleg Beatles.
The event is the brainchild of equestrian promoter Nina Barbour, from Bolesworth International who said: ‘We want to bring equestrian sport to the heart of the city. We see this as our Olympic legacy. I watched the equestrian events in the heart of London at the 2012 Olympics and I wanted to bring that kind of world class sport to the north west of England.”
Overseas entries include rising Italian force Emanuele Gaudiano, America’s Lucy Davies, exciting Belgian prospect Constant van Paesschen, Sweden’s Peder Fredricson, Norway’s Geir Gulliksen and Dutch rider Johnny Pals.
The show features two sessions per day culminating in the highlight feature, the Liverpool International Grand Prix, on the final day.
SHOW SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 2nd
Session 1: Doors Open 11.30am
Official Show Opening
International Show jumping: Amateur Grand Prix
Clemence Faivre - French Stunt Rider
Interval: Followed by International Show Jumping: Speed Stakes
The Horseman Team
Parade of Grand National Winner / Shetland Grand National
The Bootleg Beatles
Session 2: Saturday evening doors open 5.45pm
Official Show Opening
International Show Jumping: Mini Major Fancy Dress Relay
Clemence Faivre - French Stunt Rider
Parade of Grand National Winner / Shetland Grand National
Interval: Followed by: International Show Jumping: (1.50m Jump Off)
The Horseman Team
The Bootleg Beatles
Sunday, January 3rd
Session 1: Doors open 11.00am
Official Show Opening
National Show Jumping: Under 25 Championship
Clemence Faivre - French Stunt Rider
Interval: Followed by International Show Jumping: Abbey Road Speed Stakes
The Horseman Team
Parade of Grand National Winner/Shetland Grand National
The Bootleg Beatles
Session 2: Sunday evening 5pm
Official Show Opening
International Show Jumping: Knockout
Clemence Faivre: French Stunt Rider
Parade of Grand National Winner/Shetland Grand National
Interval
Liverpool International Grand Prix
The Horseman Team
The Bootleg Beatles
More information and weekend results on www.liverpoolhorseshow.com