Top veterans head for Olympia
Britain’s best veteran horses will do battle for the title of “Supreme National Veteran Champion”, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell, at the prestigious Olympia International Showjumping Championships in London in December.
More than 100 area qualifiers will be held around the country this summer with the highest placed Veteran Horse Society (VHS) members going forward to one of the 10 regional finals. The champions at each regional final will then face off at Olympia to take home the Minty Memorial Trophy.
Last year, more than 2,000 veterans took part in the qualifiers. The supreme champion was a 20-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred gelding named Preview II, who has competed at top level in dressage, eventing, and showing during his career, taking part in Badminton Horse Trials in 1994.
A spokesperson for VHS Championship sponsors, Dodson and Horrell, says: “Dodson & Horrell chose to become involved with the VHS championship qualifiers because the series offers owners of older horses the chance to demonstrate how fit and active veterans can be.”
To ensure that veteran horses of all ages have an equal chance, six classes are being held at this year’s area qualifiers.
- Pre-veteran horse or pony (aged 15-19 years) in-hand or ridden
- Veteran pony (aged 20-29 years) in-hand
- Veteran horse (aged 20-29 years) in-hand
- Veteran pony (aged 20-29 years) ridden
- Veteran horse (aged 20-29 years) ridden
- Golden veteran horse or pony (aged 30 years) in-hand or ridden
VHS founder Julianne Aston says: “Last year’s final was a remarkable event and a real tribute to veteran horses throughout the UK. Having the final at Olympia makes it very special and I’m sure we will see many more veterans taking part this year.”
If you would like more information on the 2003 qualifiers, please contact:
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Showing Department, Veteran Horse Society, Hendre Fawr Farm, St. Dogmaels, Cardigan, SA43 3LZ or visit www.veteran-horse-society.co.uk
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.