Celebrate the joy of riding
10 June 2002
This year’s Jeep National Riding Festival aims to encourage even more people to take up the reins
This year’s Jeep National Riding Festival is set to be even bigger and better than ever with 14 “horsepower days” and 50 “primary school roadshows” taking place around the UK during the summer.
Now in its sixth year, the festival aims to introduce the pleasures of riding to non-horsey people of all ages by encouraging them to try the sport for themselves.
Trigger, the mechanical horse, will be on hand at all events, enabling school children and adults to experience riding first-hand with the assistance of a qualified riding instructor.
The primary school roadshows began earlier this week with visits to schools in Suffolk and Lincoln. The roadshow’s content has been designed to support English and Science within the National and Scottish Curriculum ensuring the days are educational as well as fun.
Head for a horsepower day
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The horsepower days begin this Sunday (16 June) at Bishop Burton College, East Yorks and will take place around the country before coming to a close in Northern Ireland on Sunday 22 September.
“We have doubled the amount of events this year and have an abundance of fun interactive activities at every one,” says Jane Holderness-Roddam, chairman of the festival.
Displays will include falconry on horseback, western riding, mounted games, dressage to music and chariot racing, while laser clay pigeon shooting, archery, bouncy castles and off road driving with Jeep will ensure the whole family is kept amused.
Many of the horsepower days are taking place as part of major competitions, including the Silcox Jeep Champions of Wales, Pembrokeshire on 22-23 June.
Believed to be the biggest equestrian event ever staged in West Wales, visitors to the event can see international show jumpers competing for a prize fund of £12,000. Top attractions will also include rugby legend Scott Quinnell, who will be displaying his riding skills on his 17hh Clydesdale gelding Clyde.
Horsepower days
| 16 June | Bishop Burton College, East Yorks |
| 22-23 June | Silcox Jeep Champions of Wales, Pembrokeshire |
| 30 June | Loseley Park, Surrey |
| 7 July | Lincolnshire Country Fair, Lincoln |
| 13 July | Stockland Lovell Horse Trials, Somerset |
| 21 July | Blue Barn Equestrian Centre, Kent |
| 27-28 July | Lulworth Horse Trials, Dorset |
| 4 August | Twinwood Show, Bedfordshire |
| 11 August | Bold Heath Horse Trials, Cheshire |
| 18 August | Gleneagles Equestrian Centre, Scotland |
| 25 August | Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre, Staffs |
| 8 September | Cleobury Mortimer Horse Trials, Worcestershire |
| 15 September | Camp Hill, North Yorkshire |
| 22 September | Burn Equestrian Centre, Northern Ireland |
For more information contact the festival hotline(tel: 0870 241 1481) or visit: www.jeep-riding-festival.co.uk
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.