Brightwells adds a new series for event horses to its top dressage and show jumping events
A new £10,000 series to help promote Thoroughbreds as sports horses has been launched by Brightwells equestrian auctioneers.
The jumping series, which is being sponsored by stable matting company Equimat, is open to all three- and four-year-old horses sold at any of Brightwells’ Ascot or Malvern sport horse sales in 2002.
Qualifying classes will be take place around the country during 2003. There will be two £5,000 finals, one for four-year-olds and one for five-year-olds at the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain Championship Show, Three Counties Showground, Malvern,in September 2003.
“Large numbers of sports horse enthusiasts used to come to our sales looking for quality Thoroughbred horses, but numbers have dropped off significantly during recent years,” explains Richard Botteril of Brightwells Auctioneers.
“We have included Thoroughbreds in the series to encourage buyers to consider the potential these horses have. The series should help promote the breed, as well as helping British breeders who are producing quality young horses.”
Brightwells hope that the new series will encourage sports horse buyers to reconsider the benefits a Thoroughbred can offer.
“Racing has not tackled the welfare issues of horses which do not make the grade on the track. Thoroughbreds can be successful in many equestrian sports, other than racing and we hope the Equimat Young Event Horse Challenge will demonstrate that.”
For more information contact Brightwells (tel: 01432 355300) or visit www.brightwells.com