More than 600 hours of sport from the Paralympics is set to be livestreamed by Channel 4.

Viewers hoping to watch British riders in their bid for medals will be able to watch some tests live on the broadcaster’s All 4 microsite.

The terrestrial Channel 4 and More 4 channels will also be showing coverage from the games, which will include parts of the para dressage competition every day from 1pm-1am with a breakfast show from 6am.

There are 11 sets of medals to be won and Britain has a strong track record. In London 2012, the squad took home 10 individual medals and team gold.

The first horse inspection for the para dressage takes place on Saturday (10 September) with the team tests running from 11-13 September.

Individual medal tests will then be held on 13-15 September, with the individual freestyle medals to be decided on 16 September.

The competition begins at 2pm (BST) each day, with the exception of 15-16 September, where it will start at 1pm.

Horse & Hound’s Polly Bryan will be in Rio to cover the action, with the latest news, scores, stories and video available on the H&H website.

Don’t miss H&H’s Paralympic preview in today’s magazine (8 September) and a full report will feature in the 22 September issue of Horse & Hound.

Related articles:

• British Paralympic squad for Rio revealed
• Major #FillTheSeats campaign for Rio Paralympics
• Beginners’ guide to Paralympic dressage at Rio

Who are Team GBR?

All the British squad members are Paralympic veterans — Lee, Natasha and both Sophies were on the London 2012 squad and this will also be the fifth Paralympics for Anne, who made her debut 20 years ago at Atlanta 1996.

• Anne Dunham (grade Ia) with the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s Lucas Normark, a 15-year-old stallion by Ravaldi.
• Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia) with Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg, a nine-year-old mare by Gribaldi.
• Lee Pearson (grade Ib) with David and Lynda Pearson, Gillian Chinn and his own Zion, a 12-year-old gelding by Flemmingh.
• Natasha Baker (grade II) with Christian Landolt, Phil and Lorraine Baker and Dorothy Alder’s Cabral, a 15-year-old gelding by Bujak.
• Sophie Wells (grade IV) with her own Valerius, a 14-year-old gelding by Flemmingh.

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Racing is to be broadcast by ITV next year.

The channel will take over from Channel 4 airing the sport from 1 January 2017, after the broadcaster won the tender process for a new four-year term.

ITV will show nearly 100 days of racing annually, with the major events such as the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National meeting, Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, British Champions Day, Goodwood, York’s Ebor and the St Leger on the main channel.

Niall Sloane, ITV director of sport, said the broadcaster was “delighted” to be the home of British racing from 2017.

“We want our coverage to reach not only its loyal, core audience, but beyond, by capturing the full enjoyment of this most wonderful of sports,” he added.

ITV will show a minimum of 34 fixtures on ITV main channel and 60 on ITV4, as well as a magazine preview programme broadcast each Saturday morning on ITV4.

“ITV has made a strong and compelling four-year commitment to British horseracing. ITV places itself at the heart of popular culture and we look forward to working closely with the broadcaster in ensuring racing remains in this fantastic shop window,” said Richard FitzGerald, of Racecourse Media Group (RMG).

“This is a great opportunity for everyone in the industry to support ITV in jointly promoting the sport and telling the stories throughout the year to as wide an audience as possible. The unprecedented level of interest in the tender shows what an attractive proposition the sport is. This is reflected in the new deal, which will generate increased revenues for racing.

“We would like to thank Channel 4 for the huge support they have given horse racing over the years, and particularly their investment in coverage over the last three years. Channel 4 has been a fantastic partner for British racing and we look forward to continuing to work together in delivering a captivating and enthralling year ahead.”

For H&H columnist Richard Johnson’s thoughts on the change don’t miss the next issue of H&H, out Thursday 7 January.

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The 2016 Grand National will be run at the later time of 5.15pm, in order to increase the race’s TV audience.

The race has been put back by an hour to “provide an opportunity for more racing fans to watch and listen to the greatest chase in the world, live on Channel 4 and other global media outlets”.

The 2015 race — won by Many Clouds and Leighton Aspell — was watched by 8.9m people on Channel 4, with more than 600m viewers worldwide.

Research has shown that the later time may maximise an even bigger domestic and global TV audience, which will make the race more accessible to watch live. It has also demonstrated that most people don’t currently know the start time is at 4.15, which has also been shown by research on most UK sports events.

“The Grand National is one of the greatest sporting occasions in the world and one of the most-watched TV events of the year. This move will place the National as the fitting climax of the three-day festival, showcasing the race for the widest possible audience and in the most spectacular fashion,” said Ed Havard of Channel 4.

John Baker, regional director of the Jockey Club North West, added: “This is a very positive move for the Crabbie’s Grand National and we’re excited about the possibility of showcasing the greatest chase in the world to a wider national and global audience.

“We’re always keen to explore ways to grow and enhance this superb three-day Festival and we believe that in collaboration with our broadcast partner, Channel 4, and with the backing of the British Horseracing Authority, this is another extremely positive step forward for the ‘People’s Race’.”

A handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur jockeys will be run after the Grand National.

The 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National will be run at 5.15pm on Saturday 9 April.

For more information visit: www.thecrabbiesgrandnational.co.uk

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Frankel fans are in for a treat, as a new feature documentary on the unbeaten racing star is to be aired next year.

Channel 4 is working on a new programme that focuses on the story between Frankel and his trainer, Sir Henry Cecil.

The show — which has a working title of “Frankel and Henry Cecil: The story of the world’s greatest racehorse” — will be broadcast in the build up to Royal Ascot 2015.

Channel 4 says the documentary will “reflect the back-from-the-brink story of Sir Henry’s training career and Frankel — the world’s highest rated racehorse”.

The channel also promises “unrivalled access to Frankel, Warren Place and key members of the racing community.”

Frankel — who retired in 2012 after being unbeaten in 14 races — now stands at his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket. His first progeny are now being sold.

Throughout his racing career he delighted fans and drew in massive crowds.

“Frankel’s sublime racing career and his blossoming stud career will be the subject of an exciting insight. This will give his legion of fans something to savour,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, Khalid Abdulllah’s racing manager.

The documentary is to be produced by Oxford Scientific Films, creators of the programme How to win the Grand National.

“This is one of those projects that is just a joy to work on,” said David Glover, Channel 4’s head of specialist factual. “I loved working on with Oxford Scientific Films on How to Win the Grand National. This will be a similar passion project for all of us. The story is extraordinary — our aim is do it justice.”

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s commissioning editor for sport, added: “This documentary marks our sixth dedicated horseracing commission within a three year period and reinforces our tireless commitment to the sport. I would like to thank Juddmonte for their cooperation on this project. – the enviable accessibility will ensure that this documentary will be must-see-television.”

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Locals may have been surprised last week as horses raced through the streets of Liverpool, jumping cars, picnic benches and allotment fences.

And they would have been even more taken aback by the 300-man crew, with extras and 10 horses and jockeys.

The footage was filmed for a new campaign to launch Channel 4 Racing’s coverage of the Grand National (4-6 April).

Liverpool was the backdrop for the video, where 10 horses race through the streets around Everton Park in the city.

The horses and riders were organised by The Devil’s Horsemen, a company that specialises in equine stunts for films.

“We did a re-enactment of the great race,” said the group’s Camilla Naprous.

“It took two days to film with amateur Irish jockeys and stuntmen. The horses were a mixture of stunt horses and thoroughbreds, to make it look authentic. It was very exciting.”

More than 50hr of footage was captured — it will be cut down into a 90sec trailer, to be seen on Channel 4 at 9pm on 19 March.

Channel 4 declined to comment on how much the advert cost to make, but creative director Chris Bovill said: “We want to demonstrate the excitement, adrenalin and drama of racing to a wider audience by putting it into an everyday context.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (14 March 2013)

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For dressage fans frustrated at the coverage of the equestrian events at the Paralympics there will be some – albeit limited – airtime.

There will be some coverage of paradressage on Channel 4’s main channnel – according to the schedule.

Tomorrow (Saturday 1 September) on C4 1pm-6.30pm there will be equestrian, alongsidejudo, cycling and basketball.

Sunday (2 September) 1pm-5.30pm (with cycling, sitting volleyball)

Monday (3 September) from 1pm-3.30pm basketball, equestrian, sitting volleyball

Tuesday (4 September) from 1pm-3.30pm with basetball.

A spokesman told H&H last week there would be “comprehensive equestrian coverage”.

“We are likely to give the equestrian a big push because they are medal hopefuls,” he added.

“Dressage will be a major feature of our morning and afternoon live programming. We will have an outside broadcast team at Greenwich Park throughout the Games to capture all the must-see moments.”

There are three live broadcast streams online – C4 Paralympics Extra 1, 2 and 3 – as well as the main terrestrial channel. They will feature “live, uninterrupted coverage from early morning to late evening” on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media.

To see the full schedule of equestrian events click here.

Plus keep updated with @horseandhound on Twitter where dressage editor Alice Collins is tweeting live from Greenwich Park.

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Dressage is to feature in Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympic Games but how much may depend on how well our riders do.

A spokesman told H&H there will be “comprehensive equestrian coverage”, but were unable to confirm a schedule.

“We are likely to give the equestrian a big push because they are medal hopefuls,” he added.

“Dressage will be a major feature of our morning and afternoon live programming. We will have an outside broadcast team at Greenwich Park throughout the Games to capture all the must-see moments.”

There are three live broadcast streams online – C4 Paralympics Extra 1, 2 and 3 – as well as the main terrestrial channel. They will feature “live, uninterrupted coverage from early morning to late evening” on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media.

The Paralympics will be shown on Channel 4 from 9am-5pm from today (Thursday 30 August) to 4 September.

A spokesman for Radio 5 Live told H&H he imagined the para dressage would feature prominently in the station’s coverage – but could not be more specific.

Reader Lindsay Smith contacted H&H after struggling to find scheduling information.

“I was utterly blown away seeing the para riders at Hartpury this summer and am so excited about the Games, it’s just brilliant,” she said.

“I very much hope to see it in full on the television, but I can’t find information anywhere.

“Judy Harvey’s commentary on the BBC for the Olympic dressage was so good – can we expect similar? It would be disgraceful if coverage is only based on medals.”

H&H will make updates on our website as and when they are available.

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Top British paradressage rider Lee Pearson will be starring in a special Paralympic edition of Come Dine With Me this evening (Friday 24 August).

Lee, alongside shooting team member Ann Wild and retired swimmers Giles Long and Rachael Latham, will be cooking a meal in the competition to win £1,000 for charity.

The week begins with a “wear your worst tracksuit” evening hosted by Giles, followed by a sophisticated soiree at Ann’s on day two.

On Lee’s night he faces questions about how much of the cooking he has done himself, while for the final evening Rachael throws a lively Mexican-themed party.

It’s not Lee’s first appearance in a cookery show – in 2009 he took on Oliver Townend in Ready Steady Cook. When at the time he admitted: “I’m certainly not a natural – I’m more a ready-meal kind of guy!”

Watch Come Dine With Me tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.

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The chief executive of the Blue Cross goes undercover at the equine and animal charity in a new series of Channel 4’s Undercover Boss.

Kim Hamilton donned a disguise to see what it was like working on the frontline.

The Blue Cross is the first charity to appear in the fly-on-the-wall series, which is now in its third season.

The episode will be screened on Channel 4 at 9pm this evening.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 July, 2011)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now