Latest from Horse & Hound in Express-eventing

Express Eventing returns to Bolesworth

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 08:48:48 +0000

Express Eventing is to return to Cheshire later this month, in a competition at Bolesworth International.

Alongside the showjumping classes, the four-star show will be hosting the Ride-away Express Eventing Challenge on 19 June.

The competition — which combines all three disciplines of eventing in a shortened format within the arena — last ran at the show four years ago.

Thirteen riders are confirmed to take part in Express Eventing — including Italian Olympic rider Vittoria Panizzon and Chinese Olympian Alex Hua Tian. British riders Ginny Howe, Nick Gauntlett, Jodie Amos, Fiona Hobby, Jess Butler, Mary Anne Carpenter, Phoebe Powell, Julia Dungworth, Carol Pearson, Helen West and Victoria Baker make up the line up.

Freestyle dressage-to-music is the opening phase of the competition, with riders encouraged to express both their own personality and that of their horses through the music of their choice.

Joining the Bolesworth judges will be model and presenter Jodie Kidd, who will assess riders’ artistic performance.

The cross-country section follows, with riders tackling a course of up to 18 obstacles within an optimum time, before the showjumping finale that culminates with the “eraser fence,” when competitors have an option of removing four penalties from their scores by clearing the competition’s final — and biggest — jump.

The showjumping takes place from 18-21 June and confirmed showjumping entries include Edwina Tops-Alexander, Nick Skelton, John Whitaker, Holly Gillott and Michael Whitaker and defending Bolesworth grand prix champion William Whitaker.

Other highlights include a puissance and an elite sport horse auction, and a dressage-to-music class, in addition to a pop concert featuring Scouting For Girls and a Gladiators competition with figures from the TV series taking part.

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Safety of indoor eventing questioned

Ellie Hughes — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 08:55:30 +0000

Is indoor eventing unsafe? The condensed form of the sport has found itself back in the spotlight following several heavy falls at a recent indoor competition in Canada.

Selena O’Hanlon, who rode for Canada at this year’s World Equestrian Games, was competing in the indoor eventing challenge at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto (7-8 November), when her horse, A First Romance, misjudged a Normandy bank-style obstacle and flipped over the fence on top.

Selena broke her collarbone, while onlookers took to social media to express concerns about the course and the format of the competition, which was against the clock.

“Whatever that was at the Royal Winter Fair, it wasn’t a true depiction of the sport of eventing. They should scrap it or rename it the demolition derby,” said one poster.

This is not the first time indoor eventing has been the subject of negative press. The death of Mary King’s ride Call Again Cavalier at the inaugural Express Eventing competition at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2008 prompted a radical rethink on the shortened version of the sport.

This fresh debate has coincided with the FEI’s announcement that it has made some “strong recommendations” about the way indoor eventing classes are run — although it has denied this is in reaction to any particular event.

The FEI can only make recommendations, not rules, as these are not FEI competitions and are run under the jurisdiction of individual shows.

The most significant recommendation is that these classes should be designated as three-star competitions and horses and riders would need to be qualified to compete at this level. A three-star course designer should also be used.

Three competition formats have been “strongly recommended” — none of which involves the whole course being timed to find the winner.

Alice Dunsdon, who fell at a water obstacle while competing in an indoor event at the Stuttgart German Masters two years ago, welcomed the regulations, but also pointed out that riders need to be better prepared.

“My horse had never seen anything like the fence we fell at [a log into an elongated water tray] — he didn’t know whether to jump over it or in it,” she said. “When I went back the following year I made sure I had practised over a similar fence at home.”

Ref: Horse & Hound; 11 December 2014

Watch Headley Britannia win Express Eventing at CLA Game Fair

Sophia Heath — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:29:01 +0000

Headley Britannia proved that age is just a number when she trounced her much younger rivals in the Express Eventing showcase at the CLA Game Fair (21 July).

The diminutive 20-year-old mare led throughout all three phases of the competition to complete on 21.45pen for Lucinda Fredericks. Their nearest challenger, Sam Griffiths riding Real Dancer, scored 28.25.

A delighted Lucinda told H&H: “It was bliss. It was just like getting back onto your old comfy sofa.

“She was the ultimate professional and felt no different to how she was 5 years ago.”

“This competition is ideal for her because it is less physical,” Lucinda added. “She just loved all the attention and was immaculately behaved.”

Brit was officially retired at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials (6 May) having amassed 1479 British Eventing points. Among her greatest achievements were wins at Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky 4* events, plus team silver at the Beijing Olympics.

Although retired from top flight eventing, Brit is in regular work and is often ridden by Lucinda’s 9-year-old daughter Ellie.

William Fox-Pitt to compete in Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 13:05:05 +0000

Eventing legend William Fox-Pitt is to take part in the new series of Express Eventing.

The London 2012 team silver medallist will ride for Australian eventer Sam Griffiths’ team.

The competition, which has a revised format for the 2012-13 series, launches at the HorseWorld Live show at the ExCel Arena in east London on Saturday, 17 November.

Seven riders, including Oliver Townend will be “team principals” and select a second athlete to ride with them.

William will ride Real Dancer on Sam’s behalf in the first round — because the Australian has a long-standing commitment in his native country. Sam was a finalist on Real Dancer in the 2011 series of Express Eventing, which culminated at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

William said he was “delighted” to be taking part in the competition.

“It is taking the sport of eventing to a new and wider audience,” he said.

“In 2010 the competition was restricted to young riders and during the 2011 series I was rather focused on London 2012, but I am delighted to be taking part in the first round of the series, particularly on a horse that has competed so successfully before,” he added.

Points accumulated during the 2012-13 series will count towards an overall team and individual winner.

The other team principals are Mark Todd, Fiona Hobby, Harry Meade and Lucinda Fredericks.

Headley Britannia to miss Express Eventing opener

Charlotte White — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:25:40 +0000

Headley Britannia will miss the first round of the new Express Eventing series as she has thrown a splint, says owner and rider Lucinda Fredericks.

Express Eventing reported on Friday (19 October) that the popular chestnut mare, who retired from top-level eventing earlier this year — would take part in the first round of the 2012-13 series at HorseWorld Live! in London on 17 November.

But Brit’s fans will have to wait until later in the season of the revamped indoor eventing competition next year to see her in action, Lucinda told H&H.

“How she can get a splint at 19 I don’t know,” said Lucinda. “She is perfectly fine but it’s a bit warm.

“It appeared two weeks ago and we are icing it, but she is not one to miss two weeks’ work then go to an event — I wouldn’t do that to her.”

Lucinda hopes to ride Brit in later rounds of the contest.

Brit was the first mare to win Burghley in 33 years when she took the four-star event in 2006 and the first mare in 53 years to win Badminton, in 2007.

She remains the holder of the lowest event finishing score at 4-star level, on 32.3 penalties, which she achieved in Kentucky in 2009.

New Express Eventing format for 2012-2013 revealed

Horse & Hound — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:42:47 +0000

Organisers of Express Eventing have announced more details of the revised format of the competition.

After a year’s break, Express Evening relaunches at HorseWorld Live on Saturday, 17 November, at the ExCeL Arena in London.

Seven riders, including Oliver Townend will be “team principals” and select a second athlete to ride with them.

Points accumulated during the 2012-13 series will count towards an overall team and individual winner.

The other team principals are Mark Todd, Fiona Hobby, Sam Griffiths, Harry Meade and Lucinda Fredericks.

For more information visit www.expresseventing.co.uk.

Change of format for Express Eventing series

Flora Watkins — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:30:19 +0000

Express Eventing will not hold its final at this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) following a change to the format that will see the series run from 2012 to 2013.

HOYS hosted the 2011 Express Eventing final, but this season’s first qualifier will not take place until November.

The series – now in its fourth incarnation – will run as a team event for the first time and continue into late 2013.

Jill Gratton-Fisher, director of Express Eventing, told H&H that the decision was due to the London Olympics.

“Many of the athletes and officials will be involved with the Games,” she said. “We felt it was better to put the series back.

“HOYS was a great venue for us and we are looking at our options for the 2013 final.”

This season’s Express Eventing will start at the inaugural Horse World Live event, to be staged at the ExCel centre in London Docklands.

Subject to final agreement, venues will include the Dublin Show, as well as last year’s settings of the CLA Game Fair and Lincolnshire county show.

Ms Gratton-Fisher said the competition would have a new “Formula 1-style” format.

Teams will be made up of two riders who will compete for both the individual championship and the team prize, accumulating points at each event.

Helena Pettit, managing director of HOYS organiser Grandstand Media, said she was “delighted” the series was continuing and hoped the new format would “prove to be a great success”.

Last year’s winner Matthew Wright (pictured) told H&H he liked the new concept.

“It is definitely worth moving Express Eventing forward and if this is their way of doing it, then all well and good,” he said.

But H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome eventing editor felt it was a “huge shame” that Express Eventing had moved away from HOYS.

“The final worked really well there and it seemed to have finally ‘come of age’ , after two rather stuttering earlier attempts,” she said.

Mary King lost her Olympic partner, Call Again Cavalier at the first Express Eventing, in Cardiff in 2008.

It then evolved into a young rider competition at the Royal Festival of the Horse in 2010.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (1 March 2012)

Horse of the Year Show reverts to five-day format

Charlotte White — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:17:54 +0000

It is unclear where Express Eventing will hold its final next year following the news that Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) will revert to a five-day format.

But Helena Pettit, of show organisers Grandstand, said HOYS is trying to work out if it can fit the competition into the show.

“We will be holding meetings but it is not yet guaranteed,” she said.

HOYS added a sixth day this year to incorporate the Express Eventing final. It was won by eventer Matthew Wright, who said it would be a shame if the final was not at HOYS.

“It was a great competition this year,” he added. “I keep a horse especially for it and hope it will take place next year.”

The competition, which involves dressage to music, arena-based cross-country and showjumping has had a number of incarnations since its troubled inception in 2008.

This year’s new sixth day was not entirely a success for HOYS. Concerns were that it diluted, rather than increased, the show’s audience.

Ms Pettit said HOYS had decided not to run a sixth day in 2012 because of the expense involved in hiring the venue and staff for an extra day.

“People have already bought tickets for the Olympics – it will be an expensive year for our audience,” she pointed out.

Paul White, spokesman for Express Eventing, said: “We are finalising plans for 2012 and are in discussion with venues who held the 2011 series, as well as additional ones.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 December 2011)

HOYS six-day format – did it work?

Flora Watkins — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:36:18 +0000

HOYS organisers say they are “50-50” on whether to keep the new six-day format at next year’s event, writes Flora Watkins.

For the first time, HOYS started on a Tuesday this year (4 October) to accommodate the Express Eventing final.

But concerns have been raised that the addition of a sixth day diluted, rather than increased, the show’s audience.

One trader with a stand in the retail village told H&H that business was very quiet on the Tuesday.

“It was so dead, we might as well not have bothered,” she said.

But Helena Pettit, managing director of Grandstand Media – which runs HOYS – said the audience was up on last year.

“We don’t have the final figures yet,” she told H&H. “But we are ahead of last year.

“I would say that we have grown the audience from Wednesday to Sunday – and attracted a certain amount of new people on the Tuesday for the Express Eventing competition.”

Grandstand Media will now review this year’s show and seek feedback from competitors, members of the public and Express Eventing.

Ms Pettit said it would then make a decision on whether to keep the sixth day.

“It’s a great addition to the show. We need to look at the cost implications – but I wouldn’t rule it out,” she added.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (13 October, 2011)

Georgie Spence’s Express Eventing blog: the competition

Horse & Hound — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:30:35 +0000

This blog is brought to you in association with Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing

Well, the whole Express Eventing experience at Horse of the Year Show was great.

My ride “Woody” (Wii Limbo) found the warm-up quite scary. It was a bit small and because it was a tent, when the sides flapped, Woody got very worried. The speakers were up high and he tried to look up when they were making noise.

When he went into the arena for the dressage, the test started well, but then he made a few mistakes and got quite tense. He did cope well overall though, and I managed to keep him under wraps. The pirouettes and four-time changes went well, which is what I was worried about. So I was pleased with parts, but disappointed with other areas of it.

The cross-country was fantastic. Woody was a complete star. We had one scary moment, when the course-builders hadn’t put the flag up on a corner and we were a bit scrappy, but we got through it and were clear with just 1.5 time faults.

He was then a little tired by the showjumping. He did warm in well, but sadly had two fences down. I then went for the joker and he sadly had that too, very unlike him. We finished in 10th which was still a pleasing result as the cross-country had caused quite a few problems – even for four-star horse Shiver St George and 2009 final winner Flora Harris.

Woody is now going to have a holiday and then do some jumping and dressage over the winter. Next year I plan to establish him at advanced and CIC*** level, he will head to the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim again, and if everything has gone well he will go to Boekelo CCI*** in the Netherlands in the autumn.

Express Eventing is a great competition. The only change I would make is to have the cross-country and showjumping together, so a bit more like the indoor cross-country competitions – this would really make it an “express” competition.

I would love to take part in the Express Eventing next year – I assume it’ll be the same format in terms of qualifying so fingers crossed!

Georgie

Report of the final

Replay H&H’s live written coverage of the final

Full report from Express Eventing in H&H this week (13 October issue)

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Matthew Wright wins Express Eventing final at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:51:11 +0000

Favourite Matthew Wright (pictured) won the Express Eventing final at Horse of the Year Show today, taking home £12,500.

Riding Sir John Peace’s If You Want II – on whom he has won three of the four of the qualifiers this year – Matthew was poised in second after the dressage to music phase and he held that position with a fault-free cross-country round.

Matthew took a few flyers in the final showjumping phase and had the first part of the double at fence 9 down, but he cleared the eraser fence – an optional final set of white planks set higher than the other fences. If riders cleared this, they had four faults taken off their score, so Matthew effectively cancelled out his other fence down.

Sam Griffiths was the leader after both dressage and cross-country on Real Dancer – the Australian rider won the qualifier at Gatcombe, beating Matthew. But it was soon over here when he had the first two showjumps down, perhaps not a huge surprise as the 10-year-old Real Dancer has had some disappointing form over the coloured poles.

“It’s a shame the one at Gatcombe got away – it would have been nice to have won all five,” said Matthew. “But that probably kept us on our toes and gave us a kick up the arse for this show.

“It’s a great series and I hope it takes off for everyone concerned. It’s well organised and I hope next year it gets bigger and bigger.”

Alex Hua Tian finished second on the stallion Grafenstolz, with Harry Meade rising through the order for third on Tinka’s Time. Fiona Hobby was fourth on the diminutive grey mare Roma ML, Sam ended up fifth and Oliver Townend – winner of the first Express Eventing competition in 2008 – completed the top six on Brigadier.

Express Eventing – now on its third reincarnation after the ill-fated contest in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in 2008 and last year’s young rider competition at the Royal Festival of the Horse – seems to have come of age. Tweaks will perfect the format, but this was an exciting contest which riders enjoyed and which gave a great spectator experience.

Replay H&H’s live coverage of the Express Eventing final

Full report of the Express Eventing and all the other action from HOYS in H&H next week (13 October issue).

Georgie Spence’s Express Eventing blog: ready to rock

Horse & Hound — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:50:06 +0000

This blog is brought to you in association with Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing

The Express Eventing finals are just a few days away and I am really looking forward to it. My music for the dressage is finished and has been sent over to the show’s organisers. Wii Limbo (“Woody”) is going well and I’m feeling confident, so let’s hope he enjoys the atmosphere and is as excited about it as I am.

Sadly I’ve still been having a few problems with my back, but having had a few days away and a chance to rest, I’m hopefully now on the mend. I had a really good birthday and it was lovely to spend a few days relaxing in Devon, especially as the weather has been so good.

We will be driving to HOYS on Tuesday morning and coming home afterwards, as we aren’t too far away, which saves us the £70-a-night cost (!) of staying overnight. Hopefully we will get the chance to ride in the main arena before the action gets underway, although that may mean a very early start.

As well as competing, I’m looking forward to doing a bit of shopping! I love going around the shops at the big shows, and normally spend money that I don’t have. I’ll also try to catch up with some friends while I am there, and hopefully my boyfriend Tom will be able to come and watch after all the hard work he has put in doing the music for my dressage test.

Wish me luck!

Georgie

Express Eventing website

We will be running our popular H&H Live service — an up-to-the-minute interactive written commentary — from the Express Eventing final at HOYS, thanks to support from Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing. Register for a reminder at www.horseandhound.co.uk/expresseventing2011.

Georgie Spence’s Express Eventing blog: injured rider

Horse & Hound — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:54:54 +0000

This blog is brought to you in association with Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing

My Express Eventing ride Wii Limbo (“Woody”) has been doing some work again after a few days off after Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

The floorplan for my dressage is now finished and I rode through the test on Thursday and Friday and videoed it so my boyfriend Tom [Davison, son of dressage rider Richard] could start working on the music. Woody then had another two days off while I was at Gatcombe over the weekend.

The music is going well – we haven’t put it together yet, but we know what we are using. I want it to be surprise for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), so I’m not going to give anything away until the day!

Woody is on good form, but unfortunately I pulled a muscle in my back at Gatcombe so I haven’t been able to ride since, which has slightly hindered my Express Eventing preparations.

I think my back is just generally sore after a busy time – a week at Burghley, a week at Blenheim, Pontispool on the Monday after Blenheim and then two days at Gatcombe over the weekend. I am going to rest for a few days. Then it’s my birthday next Tuesday and I’m having two days away with Tom. I’m sure after taking it easy then I’ll be fine.

Looking ahead, I’m very excited about going to HOYS. I’ve competed there several times before. When I was younger, I focused on showjumping, so I competed in the 138cm championship in 2001 – at Wembley – with Dreamtime Outlaw and in 2002, when I finished eighth on Mars Kyfe Jake.

I have also competed in the indoor cross-country championships three times at HOYS, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I won once and came fourth twice on my long-term partner Song For Gull.

This time, I don’t have huge expectations for the Express Eventing competition. Of course, it would be fantastic to be well placed, but it’s a new competition and Woody is quite inexperienced with some of the dressage movements. Also, he can be quite a hot-headed horse, so I hope he copes with the atmosphere, as he won’t have seen anything like it before.

As long as he goes well and learns something I will be delighted.

I’ll be back next week to fill you in on my final preparations.

Georgie

Express Eventing website

Georgie Spence’s Express Eventing blog: Wii Limbo at Blenheim

Horse & Hound — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:46:39 +0000

This blog is brought to you in association with Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing

My Express Eventing ride Wii Limbo (‘Woody’) was fantastic at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials last week, where he contested the eight- and nine-year-old CIC***.

Generally his dressage test was good, he just made a couple of mistakes and was green in places. He showjumped well — it was unlike him he had a few fences down, but it was a huge track and caused a lot of problems, so I was pleased with how he coped with the atmosphere. He went on to jump a great clear cross-country. We took all the straight routes and I couldn’t have been more pleased with him.

I hope that Blenheim will have helped Woody grow up a little, as I think the atmosphere at Horse of the Year Show will be on a whole different level.

After Blenheim, Woody had three days off and I plan to video my Express Eventing dressage test today to start putting the music to it. He’ll then have a few more days off, and next week, I will work on perfecting it. The floorplan is finished, but I haven’t got anything concrete on the music yet.

Hopefully towards the end of next week I’ll have the music finished and I’ll also give Woody a jump, so I’ll let you know how we are getting on then.

Georgie

Express Eventing website

Georgie Spence’s Express Eventing blog: floorplans and flying changes

Horse & Hound — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:10:15 +0000

This blog is brought to you in association with Georgie’s sponsor Tottie clothing

I’m riding Wii Limbo at the Express Eventing final at Horse of the Year Show on Tuesday, 4 October. He’s an eight-year-old who belongs to Lucy Fleming, Benjamin Chittle and my father Russell, and I’ve been riding and eventing him since he was four.

We qualified for the final after finishing sixth in the Express Eventing contest at Gatcombe. I decided to have a go because I enjoyed taking part in Express Eventing last year at the Royal Festival of the Horse (RFoH). Gatcombe was quite different to that as each phase took place in a different arena, whereas at RFoH it was all in one school.

I thought Wii Limbo would be quite strong at Express Eventing as he’s a good jumper who looks for his fences, reliable and doesn’t get fazed by much. But I thought this would help him to grow up and it was educational for him to see a big crowd at Gatcombe. He coped with the tight arena too and picked up the lines well across country.

Looking forward to the final, I’ve made up a new floorplan for the dressage, including the optional three-time flying changes and pirouettes. My theory is that even if I perform these badly, I’ll score a two or three — that’s better than a 0 for not trying them, right?

But I haven’t wanted to try these yet as Wii Liimbo is competing in the eight- and nine-year-old CIC*** at the Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials this week and I don’t want him throwing in three-time changes all over the place! So he’ll be having a crash course in the next fortnight.

Once I’m back home, I need to run through the test and video it to sort out the music. I’ve got some ideas of what I’d like and I’m hoping to enlist the help of my boyfriend Tom, whose father just happens to be dressage rider Richard Davison.

Next week I’ll update you on how Wii Limbo gets on at Blenheim and how the dressage preparations are going…

Georgie

Replay H&H Live: Express Eventing at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:15:39 +0000

The Express Eventing series final is being held at Horse of the Year Show on Tuesday 4 October, but if you can’t make it to Birmingham then you can follow the action as it happens with our H&H Live service.

H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome will be providing written commentary on every rider in all three phases, with support from H&H editorial assistant and eventing fan Emma Sewell.

UPDATE: Apologies for the interrupted service from the dressage phase. This is due to technical issues outside of H&H’s control.

This service is brought to you thanks to the support of Tottie clothing. Tottie sponsors Express Eventing finalist Georgie Spence. Please support our sponsor by visiting their website to browse their latest collection, and to shop online, at www.tottie.co.uk

Express Eventing finalists confirmed for Horse of the Year Show

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:10:15 +0000

Oliver Townend, Matthew Wright and Alex Hua Tian will be among the line-up of 15 event riders competing at the Express Eventing 2011 Final at Horse of the Year Show on 4 October.

The riders secured their places through a series of qualifiers held around the country this summer. And last year’s winner Flora Harris automatically gets a slot in the final. The riders will be fighting for the first prize of £12,500.

The final will consist of freestyle dressage to music, cross-country and showjumping, all in Birmingham’s LG Arena

Stephen Renouard, from Express Eventing, said: “The qualifiers have been a tremendous success with an approximate total of 250,000 spectators at the various events.

“The 2011 final line-up shows the quality of riders. The senior athletes really enjoy this form of eventing and the younger riders relish the chance to compete on a level playing field with some of the best names in the sport.”

The final 15 are — Matthew Wright, Oliver Townend, Harry Meade, Fiona Hobby, Sam Griffiths, Fraser Duffy, Jo Chipperfield, Alex Hua Tian, Paul Sims, Will Murray, Sienna Myson-Davies, Flora Harris, Shari Butchart, Jess Butler and Georgie Spence.

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

Matthew Wright takes third Express Eventing qualifier

Horse & Hound — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:47:01 +0000

Matthew Wright continued his strong showing in the Express Eventing series with his third 2011 win out of three, at the CLA Game Fair (24 July).

He led from start to finish on Sir John Pearce’s horse, If You Want II, finishing on a score of 21.00 ahead of Alex Hua Tian in second, on Grafenstolz, and Harry Meade with Tinka’s Time.

However it was not all plain sailing for Matthew with a testing cross-country phase and excitement in the showjumping.

Going into the showjumping, Alex was sitting only four points behind Matthew and had the opportunity of jumping the final eraser fence, and knocking four points off his score, to draw level.

However the second fence fell, meaning Alex was still four penalties behind Matthew after jumping the eraser.

And when Matthew knocked a pole out of an oxer he also had to jump the eraser successfully to take the victory.

He kept his cool to clear it and take the £3,000 first prize.

Matthew Wright said: “I’m obviously thrilled to have won the qualifier, it’s a great competition and it’s always good for the crowd when a competition goes down to the wire.

“I’m very much looking forward to Gatcombe on 6-7 August. The prize money is second to none in the Express Eventing series, and fingers crossed that you’ll see me with that winner’s cheque again at the fourth qualifier.”

Both Alex, highest placed young rider, and Harry, highest placed over-25 not already qualified, have qualified for the Express Eventing finals at Horse of the Year Show in October.

David Eckersby, of the Country Land and Business Association, said: “I think that having the Express Eventing Qualifier at the CLA Game Fair has been a phenomenal success.

“It attracted large crowds and brought eventing to a new audience; we’ll certainly be talking about hosting the competition again next year.”

The last chance to qualify for the 2011 final will be held during the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on 6-7 August.

For more information about Express Eventing, including footage, visit www.expresseventing.co.uk .

Matthew Wright wins second Express Eventing qualifer

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:14:20 +0000

Matthew Wright claimed his second win of the Express Eventing Series at the Lincolnshire Show on Wednesday (22 June).

He won the top prize of £3,000 finishing on a score of just 4.5.

Wiltshire-based Fiona Hobby finished second on a score of 8.15. But as Matthew had already qualified for the final (which will be held at the Horse of the Year Show in October) Fiona also qualifies.

Matthew led from the dressage phase with an initial score of 8.5 followed by a clear cross-country round. Fiona jumped a clear showjumping round, meaning Matthew had to do the same to secure victory.

“It’s been a tight competition, I knew the pressure was on with Fiona just behind me, I’ve never seen her horse drop a pole so I knew we had to jump well — and the horse really did just that,” he said.

William Murray, who is based in Northumberland, also qualified for the final as the highest placed young rider, finishing fifth overall with the gelding Brightside.

There are two Express Eventing Series qualifiers remaining — at the CLA Game Fair on Sunday 24 July, and the Festival of British Eventing of Gatcombe Park on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August.

Matthew Wright wins first Express Eventing qualifier at Bolesworth

Horse & Hound — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:20:26 +0000

Matthew Wright won the opening Express Eventing series qualifier at the Bolesworth Showjumping Classic in Cheshire riding If You Want II.

Former Express Eventing winner Oliver Townend had led the competition until the showjumping phase, when Matthew drew ahead to claim the £3,000 first prize and his place in the series final at the Horse of the Year Show in October.

Matthew said: “This has been great for my horse because he’s 15 years old and didn’t really make the grade at three-day eventing. The great thing about Express Eventing is that it can prolong the career of a horse like mine.”

Matthew will be joined in the final by Paul Sims, 24, who qualified from fifth place as the highest-placed young rider riding Kim Belton’s Power of Dreams.

Paul added: “I’m thrilled. It’s great to be right up there with he top names, and I’ve had such good fun today.”

Stephen Renouard, equestrian director of Express Eventing said: “This first qualifier has set a very high standard going forwards. It was a truly thrill-a-minute competition, shown by the edge of the seat ending we had.”

There are three Express Eventing series qualifiers remaining: Lincolnshire Show on 22 June; The CLA Game Fair on 24 June; The Festival of British Eventing of Gatcombe Park on 6-7 August.

Results

1. If You Want II (Matthew Wright) 21.40pen

2. Neo Du Breuil (Oliver Townend) 23.30pen

3. Fernhill Vriend (Fraser Duffy) 24.30pen

4. Roma ML (Fiona Hobby) 24.65pen

5. Power Of Dreams (Paul Sims) 27.20pen

View full results

Bolesworth creates £1.7m for county economy

Charlotte White — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:02:24 +0000

Last year’s Bolesworth Showjumping Classic contributed more than £1.7 million to the Cheshire economy, a survey by Visit Chester and Cheshire has revealed.

More than £750,000 was spent on the Bolesworth show site itself by the 18,000 visitors to last year’s show.

The organisers of the show held at Bolesworth Castle, on the A41 between Chester and Whitchurch, says it is one fast becoming one of the UK’s most prestigious equestrian and country events.

Despite the tough economic climate, more than 60 traders will be at Bolesworth this year (9-12 June) — an increase of 40 per cent on last year.

Show organiser, Nina Barbour said: “At Bolesworth, we have always aimed to generate income for the local economy and we delighted that so many traders are heading for Bolesworth this year.”

The highlight of Bolesworth this year will be the Express Eventing qualifier (11 June), where 2011 Badminton champion, Mark Todd and former Badminton and Burghley winner, Oliver Townend will be in action.

On Sunday, (June 12) the Bolesworth Classic Grand Prix has prize money totalling £18,000. Past competitors include John Whitaker, Nick Skelton, Robert Smith, Michael Whitaker, Geoff Billington, Billy Twomey and Ellen Whitaker.

And The X Factor’s Ruth Lorenzo headlines the Bolesworth Big Night Out on Saturday night.

For more information, go to www.bolesworthclassic.com

Mark Todd bids for a place in Express Eventing final

Charlotte White — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:22:40 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials winner Mark Todd has announced he will compete in the Express Eventing Series opening qualifier at the Bolesworth Castle Showjumping Classic on Saturday 11 June.

Among others, Toddy will compete against winner of the inaugural Express Eventing Oliver Townend and three times winner of the Hickstead Eventing Grand Prix, Gary Parsonage, at the Cheshire event.

All will be hoping to qualify for a place in the final at the Horse of the Year Show at Birmingham’s LG Arena in October.

Stephen Renouard, equestrian director of Express Eventing, said: “The field of entrants further endorses the new format which worked so well in 2010, and shows that the riders trust and believe in this great sport. It will certain make for some great competition on the day.”

Nina Barbour who runs the Bolesworth Showjumping Classic said: “We’re very excited that some of the best event riders in the world have including Eventing legend Mark Todd have chosen Bolesworth as their preferred qualifier for the Express Eventing Series.

“We are thrilled to be presenting a truly world class spectacle.”

New qualifying class added for Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:04:50 +0000

There will be a new qualifying class for the Express Eventing series this year.

The qualifier will take place at the CLA Game Fair at Blenheim Palace (24 July) and will boast a prize pot of £10,000.

Unlike in previous years, the 2011 series is open to any qualifying combination. There will be 16 places in each qualifier, eight for senior riders and eight for junior riders, with the top placed in each group going through to the final at Horse of the Year Show (4 October).

The other three qualifiers will be held at the Bolesworth Classic, the Lincolnshire Show and Gatcombe’s Festival of Eventing.

Check out the qualification criteria and enter at www.expresseventing.co.uk

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (5 May, 2011)

Express Eventing to run as series with final at HOYS

Horse & Hound — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:01:52 +0000

Express Eventing will run this year as a national series with a final on the new sixth day (Tuesday 4 October) of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), organisers have revealed.

Last year’s event was for young riders only, but this year it is open to any combinations that qualify at four events over the summer.

Entrants must have completed the cross-country phase of two BE intermediate and/or FEI two-star events with a clear round and with no more than eight faults in the showjumping phase at the same events.

Entries will be ballotted to allow eight young riders and eight seniors to contest each qualifier, and the highest placed senior and young rider at each qualifier will go forward to the final at HOYS.

Each qualifying event has a pot of £10,000 and the final will have a prize-fund of £40,000, with £12,500 to the winner.

Extra day at HOYS

With the addition of Express Eventing, HOYS will run for six days for the first time — from Tuesday, 4 October to Sunday, 9 October.

A number of showing classes and championships have been reallocated to take place on the Tuesday, including the Cuddy working hunter of the year, the Comfort Zone small show hunter of the year, Guy Fawkes III intermediate show hunter of the year championship and the SEIB Search for a Star classes for cobs, hunters, riding club show horse and riding horses/hacks.

Visitors who have already bought tickets for HOYS will have the chance to exchange their tickets for the Tuesday. For more information and the complete timetable visit: www.hoys.co.uk

Mary King and Oliver Townend tell H&H what they think of the changes to Express Eventing and find out where the qualifying rounds are being held in today’s magazine (3 March, 2011)

Alex Hua Tian’s diary: success at Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:48:17 +0000

Finally! Express Eventing has come around again. After the misfortunes of Cardiff everyone — riders, other organisers and spectators — was interested to see how the competition would go at the Royal Festival of the Horse. I am happy to say that the organisers pulled off a great competition.

The course was very different to the one that was built for Cardiff. Everything was made of brush and in general, it was far softer with fences that the horses wouldn’t misread.

My first reaction was slight disappointment, but at a second glance, I realised that the designer had been very subtly clever. The arena at Stonleigh is all-weather but smaller than the Millennium Stadium’s grass arena so the course would ride very intensely with sharp turns and tight lines. So by making the course marginally easier, it dared us riders to gallop faster and make a mistake by compromising on the accuracy some of the questions demanded.

Golden children lift Maggie

First of all, however, we had to get through the dressage to music. Maggie (Magenta) felt surprisingly spritely in the familiarisation in the morning. Stabled next to the main arena and having a late draw meant I could watch and listen to the pumping tunes chosen by my fellow competitors! Having competed in the last Express Eventing I can definitely say that the under-25s chose far better music.

Maggie warmed up really well and we were feeling really confident five minutes before we had to enter the main arena. That is, until a troop of 20 ponies with children dressed in bright gold lycra suits started warming up next to us in the collecting ring. Thank God I wasn’t on Jeans who would have had me upside down in the fence in a matter of seconds.

Actually, the “little golden children” must have given Maggie that little lift she needed. She went in and performed to the best of her ability and pulled off a lovely test mistake free. Having been third after the dressage in 2008, we at Team China believe in consistency and once again I was third after Duarte Seabra and Flora Harris.

Fastest of the day

After a little break and another course walk just to make sure, the cross-country test started with Phoebe Buckley kicking things off on her amazing little mare Little Tiger. The organisers had told us that the course had been wheeled at 425mpm, a speed that none of us had ever competed at, it being faster than showjumping but slower than cross-country. So we were all crowded around the entrance to see how Phoebe fared with the time. Phoebe rode a perfectly judged round within the time without looking rushed or harassed.

I knew, however, that Maggie was not a nippy little 15hh pony so I decided not to go flat out but to ride all of the tight lines. Maggie was fantastic! Watching the video back, she made the course look like absolutely nothing. She unhesitatingly took all of the angles and tight lines jumped the double of angled hedges even when I cut the corner inside the flowers. In the end, we were the fastest of the day (something Maggie and I are unused to) but both Duarte and Flora also rode well judged rounds to leave the leader board unchanged going into the showjumping.

This time, unlike Cardiff where we had the pitstop, we had a separate showjumping round with a twist! At the end of the stiff track, we had the option of a horrible, very tall, gappy upright or a decent but jumpable oxer. The upright was called the eraser and if we jumped it clear we knocked four penalties off our total score. However, if we knocked it down, we would add the normal four penalties.

I knew to put the pressure on those ahead of me I had to jump the eraser clear. Maggie jumped a beautiful and careful showjumping round, but just tipped the eraser out at the end. Flora went on to jump a stunning clear including the eraser to put serious pressure on Duarte. Unfortunately, Duarte had three down leaving Flora as the deserving winner.

Even though it was disappointing not to have won myself, a great consolation is to see a very good friend deservingly winning in your place and really appreciate the result.

Rodney’s first intermediate

A quick turnaround saw us at a rainy Tweseldown the following day. It was Rodney’s (Willows Accent) first intermediate and a successful day it turned out to be. A 28-penalty dressage test followed by an unfortunate one down showjumping and a steady but clear cross-country left us into eighth place. I was in two minds whether to run across the country or not after the trouble the course seemed to be causing. Seeing a few horses bandaged up to their elbows doesn’t give you the most confidence in the world.

Most of the major issues appeared to be caused by the water jump which I felt might have a hole where all of the horses were landing. However, I knew that Rodney has always been over-bold jumping into water so that added to angling the fence to the right meant that we must have missed the black hole that others seemed to disappear into. Rodney’s campaign for the international seven-year-old championships at Le Lion is very much on track!

Alex

Full report of Express Eventing in H&H out now, 15 July issue. Report of Tweseldown in next week’s issue, 22 July.

Flora Harris wins Express Eventing at Royal Festival of the Horse

Horse & Hound — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:23:18 +0000

Flora Harris walked away £5,000 richer and with the keys to a Jeep for a year in her pocket after winning the much talked about Express Eventing competition at the Royal Festival of the Horse.

Flora, 22, secured first prize by jumping an immaculate showjumping round with Law Choice, which included clearing the 1.35m eraser fence.

“I came here thinking I had a chance of doing well, but I’m lost for words — I can’t believe I’ve actually won,” said Flora.

The competition, which has not been without controversy — the first prize was slashed by some £45,000 during the run-up to the event and several riders threatened to boycott it — was nevertheless hailed a success in terms of format.

The first phase, a freestyle dressage to music, was judged by Liz Day and Jeanette Watson, with Clare Balding awarding marks for artistic impression. This was followed by a simulated cross-country course with an optimum time, followed by a final showjumping test.

Portuguese rider Duarte Seabra led the dressage with Carol Gee’s Fernhill Gloster Rebel, ahead of Flora in second and H&H eventing blogger Alex Hua Tian (Magenta) in third.

David Evans’ 16-fence simulated cross-country course required accurate and positive riding. An optimum time of 100sec, which had a 5sec window either side where riders could remain penalty-free, resulted in five combinations adding nothing to their scoresheets, including Flora, Alex, Gemma Tattersall (Chamrock) and Phoebe Buckley (Little Tiger).

In the end, though, it all came down to the final showjumping. A brilliant clear from Flora and Law Choice, who were runners-up in the Under-25 National Championship at Bramham this year, ensured Duarte had to jump clear to win. When Fernhill Gloster Rebel knocked fence three, plus the last, the title was hers.

Results

1. Flora Harris 18pen

2. Alex Hua Tian 26.5

3. Duarte Seabra 28.25

4. Tamsyn Hutchins 30.5

5. Georgie Spence 37

6. Phoebe Buckley 38.5

Did you visit the Royal Festival of the Horse? Share your views in the H&H forum

Alex Hua Tian’s diary: final preparations for Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:56:27 +0000

It has been a week for quiet preparation for Team China. With Express Eventing looming, I have taken advantage of some free time to jump in the lorry to travel down to Jane Gregory’s to go through my dressage to music.

When I did Express Eventing two years ago I competed Chico. This year will be Maggie’s turn. Maggie (Magenta, pictured) and Chico, however, have very different advantages and disadvantages in their ways of going so Jane made the executive decision to tweak the floorplan to suit.

The Chinese film music from the movie Hero worked very well for Chico. With a couple of trips up to London to a friend who understands computers better than I, we have adjusted and fine-tuned the timing of the music to a masterpiece worthy of Maggie!

So with no stone unturned we will be making our way up to Stoneleigh tomorrow afternoon to give us a chance to settle in and get our bearings. I have no doubt that it will be an exciting competition and I hope Maggie rises to the occasion!

Alex

Alex’s website

Alex Hua Tian’s diary: looking forward to Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:46:21 +0000

A weekend off to work with some of the new arrivals has gone a little way to patching up the sinking feeling of Jeans’ injury. Preparation for Express Eventing is underway and Maggie is feeling surprisingly spritely after her little après-Badminton rest!

Express Eventing is the exciting new concept of condensing the three phases into one day and one venue — including freestyle dressage to music which adds a more viewer friendly element, to appeal to new comers to the sport. It had a torrid launch in 2008 at the Millennium Stadium (Alex is pictured right riding Chico at this event), but is back again this year as an under-25 competition headlining at the Royal Festival of the Horse on 11 July. It looks like being an exciting competition.

Having said that, I can’t help but say that I am somewhat disappointed with the sentiments of some of my fellow riders. A lot of grumbling and complaining happens behind the scene that there isn’t enough money in the sport and that eventing needs to do something to draw in new sponsorship. However, as soon as someone tries to actively do something about it, no one can bring themselves to support it.

The simple fact is that an under 25-year-old class would never normally have the opportunity to win £5,000 plus other prizes in kind. To put things into perspective, the winner of Bramham under 25-year-old class won £3,600 pounds and I can guarantee you that more money and effort would have gone into getting the horses prepared and fit for that than would have been invested into their dressage to music for Express Eventing.

In terms of organisation, there have been some U-turns on some decisions; for example the withdrawal of flying changes in the test. However, especially in this specific case, the organisers listened to both the experts and the riders and made the right decision to keep them in. It is important that we as competitors are challenged and also that the spectators are treated to the best level of dressage we can produce.

The new format means that we don’t have the organisational safety and security of decades of experience and the many chances to learn from past mistakes that traditional eventing organisers have had. This is the second year for Express Eventing and yes, there are an infinite number of tweaks and changes needed to make this year’s more of a success. The exciting thing is that, because it is new, we can all have our say and input on how it might work in the future.

All I’m saying is don’t give up on Express Eventing. It will never replace the core sport, but has potential to bring in new sponsors and new audiences and deserves a lot more support than it is getting now.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The new ones

Anyway, back to the horses! Maggie (Magenta) and Fiddle (ESB Irish Fiddle) are on great form. The two new horses, Violet and Rodney (Willows Accent, pictured left), have settled in and are going well. Four-year-old Violet understandably has a babyish outlook on life — everything has to be done at a million miles as hour. She is a very talented little horse, moves well and has a very good jump but just needs consistent quiet work to let her understand that her life is a lot easier at a slower pace!

Rodney is just awesome! He almost has too extravagant a jump and virtually jumps me out of the saddle every time. This weekend we’re off to Eridge in Kent in the novice, to give us a chance to get to know one another before we go off and contest his first intermediate.

Alex

Alex’s website

Express Eventing riders unhappy about broken promises

Horse & Hound — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:31:56 +0000

Many of the young riders signed up to take part in Express Eventing — the competition touted as the “one-seat-sees-all showcase for three-day-eventing” — are undecided whether to compete after a series of broken promises.

The event on Sunday, 11 July is being run as part of the Royal Festival of the Horse at Stoneleigh (9-11 July), as a joint venture between event company E3 and the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

Last year, former E3 director Clive Hetherington told H&H that riders would each be paid £2,000-£3,000 to appear, and that prize-money would be in excess of £50,000 (news, 31 December).

He said each rider would be sponsored, and followed in their preparation by a TV crew. But just after being signed up, the 19 young riders were told prize-money was £3,000.

It is now back to £5,000 to the winner, but eventer Angus Smales said riders are “very unhappy”. “For my owners it’s a waste of time now. For the amount we stand to win it is not going to be worth the effort and cost of putting the show on the road,” he told H&H.

“A lot of training is involved for dressage to music and there’s the risk it’ll blow the horse’s brain. It’s changed the whole complexion of the event for me.”

Devon-based Aaron Miller is also reconsidering taking part. “The publicity and sponsors never materialised, and the appearance fee hasn’t been mentioned since we signed,” he said.

“They could at least meet us halfway — but they’ve dropped the prize- money and won’t cover our expenses.”

Riders also say organisers changed their mind over training days and what should be included in the dressage tests.

“They tried to organise training for the day after Bramham when everyone had competed. They also took the [flying] changes out of the dressage and then put them back in again,” said Gemma Tattersall, adding: “They don’t seem to be that well organised.”

Two dressage training days took place on 8 and 23 June at Richard Davison’s yard, and E3 director and festival organiser Gill Gratton-Smith told H&H more prizes in kind had been gathered for the winners.

But she denied any knowledge of an offer to cover riders’ costs. “There never was any suggestion of appearance money — I’m sorry if we gave that impression,” she said.

“The prize-money we wanted to give was based on a level of sponsorship we wanted to achieve. In the economic climate it wasn’t easy and hasn’t been achieved, simple as that.”

Lined up to compete and “looking forward to it”, is Alex Hua Tian, who said the drop in prize-money was unfortunate, but understandable.

“If they don’t have the money, they don’t have the money,” he reasoned. “We’re used to a structured format in eventing, but this is new so there are bound to be a few changes of mind. They’re very brave to run the event again and deserve our support.”

While Ms Gratton-Smith said ticket sales were “going very well”, she declined to release numbers to H&H.

Entrance to the Festival of the Horse is £20, allowing access to the showing rings and shopping. If spectators want to watch events in the all-weather grandstand — dressage on Friday, showjumping Saturday and Express Eventing on the Sunday — they must buy another ticket for £15-£20.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (24 June, ’10)

Young event riders confirmed for Express Eventing

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:18:07 +0000

H&H blogger Alex Hua Tian is among 19 young riders confirmed for Express Eventing at The Royal Festival of the Horse (9-11 July) this summer.

The competition will be held on Sunday 11 July at Stonleigh Park, Warwickshire.

The selected riders include Sam Watson, who had a top 15 finish in the 2010 Badminton Horse Trials, Phoebe Buckley, who was part of the winning team at the Young Riders Championships in 2005 and successfully completed Badminton this year on Little Tiger — and China’s Alex Hua Tian, who received the HSBC “Rising Star” Award in 2009.

All riders will take part in a dressage to music round, cross-country and showjumping in the one-seat-sees-all version of three day eventing.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to grips with Express Eventing,” said Sam Watson.

“It’s exciting to be at the forefront of establishing this new equestrian spectator sport and I can really see the appeal. Riders get to complete all three disciplines in one day and the audience gets to see all the action up close and personal.”

Express Evening, which was first run in November 2008 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, is this year only open to invited young riders.

This was due to a date clash with Barbury Castle Horse Trials — so organisers decided to have a “youth academy” style event to give young riders a chance.

Oliver Townend, who won £100,000 at the inaugural Express Eventing event, said: “I’m delighted that these young riders are being given the chance to take part in this most exciting challenge.

“Not only does it provide unique and valuable experience for them but it gives the crowd a ring-side view of three Olympic disciplines all in one day in one arena.”

Confimed riders:

Aaron Miller

Alex Hua Tian

Alex Postolowsky

Angus Smales

Arthur Duffort

Ben Hobday

Camilla Speirs

Charlotte Agnew

Christoffer Forsberg

Duarte Seabra

Flora Harris

Gemma Tattersall

Georgie Spence

Ginny Howe

Lauren Shannon

Phoebe Buckley

Samuel Watson

Sienna Myson-Davies

Tamsin Hutchins

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

Express Eventing turns to young riders after Barbury Clash

Horse & Hound — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:52:53 +0000

One young rider will walk away as winner of Express Eventing next summer with a big enough cheque to buy a top-class horse.

So says the event’s joint-organiser Clive Hetherington, who has had to drop plans of luring top riders to the controversial competition at Stoneleigh next July.

Barbury International Horse Trials takes place the same weekend, and top riders told H&H last month they could not afford to discard Express Eventing — which offered £100,000 to the winner at its inaugural running at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in November 2008.

“We had so many issues with the date clash that we can’t go for the premier riders,” said Mr Hetherington. “Instead we’ll put on a ‘youth academy’ Express Eventing, giving younger riders the chance to win a big prize.”

Between 12 and 15 young riders will be invited to take part in the event on 11 July, which forms part of a new “Festival of the Horse” — replacing the Royal Show at Stoneleigh.

Though Mr Hetherington could not confirm the prize-money, he said first prize is likely to be over £50,000 and “substantial enough to buy a top-class horse”.

The following year, organisers plan to return to elite-level competition.

• For more on this story, see this week’s issue of H&H (31 December).

Controversial Express Eventing competition will run again

Horse & Hound — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:34:05 +0000

The controversial Express Eventing competition will be next year — in a different venue and different format.

Organiser Stuart Buntine has confirmed to H&H rumours that the competition will run again next year.

Express Eventing was devised by Mr Buntine as a “showcase” for the sport. Held in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium last November, spectators watched dressage to music then show jumping and a back-to-back, against-the-clock cross-country round — that featured more misses than hits.

While winner Oliver Townend pocketed a £100,000 first prize, Mary King left Cardiff without her medal-winning partner Call Again Cavalier, who broke his femur while jumping a cross-country fence and had to be euthanased.

Spectators and riders acknowledged the concept was good — but all agreed there were “a lot of lessons to be learned”.

Mr Buntine told H&H: “The one-seat-sees-all concept will still be key to it, but it will be very a different competition. I’ve had extensive discussions with riders and many different people within the sport about what worked and what didn’t work.”

Mr Buntine said he is close to signing agreements about the competition, and will announce more details within “two to three weeks”.

Eventing world remains divided over Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:40:46 +0000

“It was spectacular, but there were lots of problems,” was how one spectator summed up Sunday’s Express Eventing International Cup as she left Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

The “one seat sees all” competition was devised and organised by Stuart Buntine as a “showcase” for eventing. The three phases took place in the arena, with dressage to music in the morning followed by show jumping and cross-country — run back-to-back with a pitstop kit change against the clock in between — in the afternoon.

The day was horribly marred by the loss of a much-loved British team horse, Call Again Cavalier, who, with Mary King, was the penultimate to jump (see below). And while the concept of Express Eventing was received well by riders, spectators and organisers, the overwhelming reaction was that — with only six finishers from a world-class field — the event needs work.

Mark Todd, who was eliminated for three stops, said: “It won’t replace eventing as we know it, but it’s an interesting sideline. The end result wasn’t what we were hoping for, but I hope the organisers don’t lose heart.”

Andrew Nicholson concurred, adding: “When only six finish, something is wrong. What happened to Call Again Cavalier was devastating, but even if you take that away, too much went wrong.”

After the event, organiser Mr Buntine was pleased with how things had gone, but admitted there were “a lot of lessons to be learnt”.

“I am disappointed with the number of eliminations because we had the best riders and horses in the world here, so we need to look at everything in the debrief.”

Afterwards, the top three placed riders Oliver Townend, Lucy Wiegersma and William Fox-Pitt were very positive.

“Working for the music test helped our dressage massively,” said Lucy, who added that a lot of horses who went early on seemed “quite fazed by approaching an alien situation”.

But others were not so impressed. While they all maintained support for the concept, riders expressed a number of concerns.

One was over the going — turf laid over eight to 10 inches of topsoil on a pallet system.

While William Fox-Pitt maintained that it was better than the riders thought it would be, Andrew Nicholson argued that it was “greasy and false”.

“Because of the size of the studs we used, they weren’t slipping, but it made the horses unsure.”

The final course changed from the one walked in the morning and many competitors could be seen running around the 39 jumping efforts in the 30-minute lunchbreak trying to relearn it.

Irish rider Austin O’Connor was eliminated after jumping the third fence. It would have been the correct course in the morning — but not in the afternoon.

“I felt very stupid, because the audience didn’t know the facts,” he said.

European champion Nicolas Touzaint was eliminated after going wrong show jumping between flags that were put up at the last-minute.

After the event, spectators said on H&H’s online forum how “uncomfortable” they felt watching the top riders go wrong.

Afterwards, some spectators said they enjoyed a “fantastic event”, but complained the stadium was under-prepared.

“We were all frozen and couldn’t get hot food and drink,” said Barbara Slater from Hertfordshire. “I queued for 45 minutes for a cup of tea, missing Carl Hester’s masterclass, and then gave up.”

This article first appeared in Horse & Hound (4 December, ’08)

How did our Express Eventing rider diarist Tina Cook get on?

Pippa Roome — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:01:30 +0000

As was the case for many of the Express Eventing competitors, Tina Cook’s ride Miners Frolic found the atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium on Sunday a bit too much.

Tina scored 43.56 for her dressage to music routine with the 10-year-old, which left them 12th out of the 19 competitors at this stage.

After some poles down in the show jumping, she was eliminated in the cross-country phase, her campaign coming to an end with run-outs at the influential pair of left-handed corners at the Duck Houses at fence 12ab.

“He was completely fazed by it — he froze and tightened in the back and then he never really got going cross-country,” Tina said. “I know he’s been [in a big atmosphere] in Hong Kong, but it’s completely different in there.”

Oliver Townend wins £100,000 Express Eventing first prize

Horse & Hound — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:32:58 +0000

Oliver Townend won the inaugural Express Eventing International Cup in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium with a brilliantly executed, fast clear round to take home the £100,000 first prize.

Fourth after the morning’s dressage to music phase, Oliver left nothing to chance on his experienced grey, Flint Curtis. He finished more than 40sec ahead of second-placed Lucy Wiegersma and Shaabrak, who won £50,000.

Listen to Oliver Townend’s interview

Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo lay first after the dressage. The German former European champion rode a classy, immaculately presented test a score of 50.97 but, last to jump and visibly shaken after the sad accident to Mary King’s horse Call Again Cavalier, Bettina retired early on in the jumping phase.

Just six of the 19 starters completed. William Fox-Pitt and Ballincoola finished third a couple of seconds behind Lucy and pocketed £20,000, while Clayton Fredericks was fourth on Ben Along Time. Fifth was Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon (Rock Model) and sixth was Caroline Powell (Lenamore).

Five out of the first six riders were eliminated, and it wasn’t until Lucy Wiegersma, Clayton Fredericks and Oliver Townend all completed that the crowd began to rally round the event. Huge cheers greeted Oliver’s round, but the atmosphere was irretrievably dampened by the loss of Call Again Cavalier.

Results

1st Oliver Townend (Flint Curtis)

2nd Lucy Wiegersma (Shaabrak)

3rd William Fox-Pitt (Ballincoola)

4th Clayton Fredericks (Ben Along Time)

5th Vittoria Panizzon (Rock Model)

6th Caroline Powell (Lenamore)

Call Again Cavalier put down after Express Eventing fall

Horse & Hound — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:29:26 +0000

Mary King lost her Olympic partner Call Again Cavalier on Sunday afternoon during the Express Eventing International Cup at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The 16-year-old bay gelding fell late on the course after a wide, narrow corner fence called ‘The Duck Houses’. He was taken from the arena in a horse ambulance under the care of Express Eventing vet John Killingbeck.

Though organisers have not released any official statement, H&H understands that the horse broke his femur and was put down.

Mary King and Call Again Cavalier were the second last to go in a competition that had its ups and downs. The pair were on target to finish second to Oliver Townend. He fell at the second element of the Duck Houses, the 12th fence in a testing and up-to-height course.

Call Again Cavalier, owned by Eddie and Sue Davies and their daughter, Janette Chin, won the individual silver medal at the 2007 European Championships. The horse also took team bronze at the Hong Kong Olympics this summer.

View pictures of Call Again Cavalier’s career

Tina Cook’s Express Eventing diary: the final countdown

Horse & Hound — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:16:46 +0000

The Express Eventing competition on Sunday is rushing up very quickly now. I’m starting to think about the finer details of the arrangements and it’s going to be a busy weekend.

As the journey takes about 4hr 30min, I’m travelling to Wales on Saturday and I’ll be stabling overnight at Chepstow Racecourse, as are some of the other riders with longer journeys and the foreigners.

Because the Millennium Stadium isn’t designed for horses or horseboxes, there’s a finely tuned schedule for Sunday with allocated time slots for arrivals. I think mine is 7.15am.

I’ve decided to ride Miners Frolic [“Henry”]. Both he and my other horse, First Flight II [“Brendon”], are really well and in the jumping phases there’s nothing to pick between them. So it came down to the fact Miners Frolic is likely to do the better dressage test.

Last-minute tweaks

I had to change my dressage to music test slightly at the end of last week as I realised I’d forgotten the two shoulder-ins, but that’s all sorted out now. I went to my music guru Dane Rawlins’ yard again last Friday, and my mum came to watch.

Everyone’s been very secretive about their music, but I’ve tried to pick something that no one else will use. It’s a bit of a risk, but I’ve gone down modern dance lines — it’s fun, and although I’m taking the competition seriously, you’ve got to enjoy the music you are riding to as well. I’m not sure that it’s to my mum’s taste — she was pulling a face as I trotted round, but I think she came round to the idea.

A couple of times this week I’ve put the car by the school and played the music loudly while I practise. All the lads were dancing round the racing yard and the villagers probably think I’ve gone mad and am organising raves! Although he’s not a hot-head, Henry finds it quite exciting performing to music, even in his own school at home.

A thrilling prospect

I took Henry cross-country schooling at Coombelands on Wednesday — it’s closed at the moment but Gaye Harwood kindly let me go round. I only popped little fences, but he hasn’t been cross-country since the Olympics, so I wanted to refresh both of our memories.

I’m having a final session with Dane to fine-tune my music today, then on Saturday we’ll be on the road.

I’m excited, but slightly apprehensive about the whole event now. We riders will all have to deal with the temporary facilities and tight schedule, including aspects such as not having much time to look at the course, which isn’t normally the case at big events, when you have several days.

I don’t know quite what to expect, but it’s a thrilling prospect to have the chance to win such a huge amount of money — it might go some way to building us a house.

See you in Cardiff. I hope you enjoy watching us all charging around frightening ourselves!

Tina

Who will win Express Eventing’s £100,000 top prize?

Pippa Roome — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:44:36 +0000

Who do you think will win the inaugural Express Eventing competition in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium this weekend? There’s certainly been plenty of debate about the topic on the H&H forum.

Personally, I’m really disappointed Lucinda Fredericks has withdrawn — I thought she had a good chance and I wanted to see her and Headley Britannia do dressage to music. Now I think Bettina Hoy will lead after the first phase — surely no one can challenge her and the majestic grey Ringwood Cockatoo at that?

Will she be able to hold that lead? I’m not so sure. On their day, they are a top class combination, but speed wouldn’t be their forte and that will count here. Nerves will undoubtedly also come into play for those left at the sharp end vying for the £100,000 first prize.

The problem with tipping in this competition is that there’s no previous form to go on, plus it’s such a high-class field. At a four-star, it’s easy work to isolate the 10% or so of the field who have a chance of winning and there are normally a couple of favourites in that portion.

In Express Eventing, there will be no also-rans — every single rider will be there to try to take the big bucks, and I think any one of them could do it.

If I’ve got to put myself on the line, my money is on Mary King and Call Again Cavalier or Lucy Wiegersma and Shaabrak. Both are good enough on the flat to be well up there after the dressage and both are fast and accurate across country. Shaabrak’s show jumping can be his weakness, so keep your fingers crossed for Lucy as she tackles the coloured poles. Hong Kong aside, Call Again Cavalier has a superb record in this phase.

Both are avenging disappointment elsewhere in 2008: Lucy in losing her Olympic place and retirement at Burghley, Mary in dropping out of individual medal contention at the Olympics and then missing out on winning Pau with a run-out.

I’d love to see either of them win, but it really is anybody’s game. What do you think will happen? Join the debate online.

Keep an eye out for Tina Cook’s final pre-Express Eventing online diary later this week.

Don’t miss a report on www.horseandhound.co.uk from Express Eventing on Sunday evening. And buy H&H next Thursday (4 December) for full report, colour pictures and William Fox-Pitt’s comment.

Lucinda Fredericks withdraws from Express Eventing International Cup

Pippa Roome — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:11:50 +0000

Lucinda Fredericks (pictured) has had to pull out of the inaugural Express Eventing competition this Sunday at the Millennium Stadium due to a leg injury she sustained in a fall at Pau, France, at the end of October.

Express Eventing’s Stuart Buntine said: “This is a real blow for Lucinda and we hope she gets better very soon. Lucinda will not be replaced in the line-up at this late stage as there is not enough time for a replacement rider to train for the event.”

Lucinda suffered a nasty cut to her leg from one of her ride Jiggalong’s studs during a fall while competing in the CIC** at Pau (23-26 October).

The Olympic team silver medallist would have been one of the favourites to take the £100,000 first prize in Cardiff with her Badminton and Burghley winner Headley Britannia. She is one of the few event riders to have previous experience of dressage to music, having ridden to grand prix level in pure dressage.

The Fredericks’ Wiltshire yard still has a chance to take some of the spoils as Lucinda’s husband Clayton will be competing on his Olympic ride Ben Along Time.

Express Eventing videos: riders talk about the challenge ahead

Horse & Hound — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:52:21 +0000

This weekend will see 20 of the world’s top riders going head-to-head in a brand new type of arena eventing with £100,000 going to the winning rider.

The competition will take place in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and will kick off with dressage to music. The jumping will be two-phase, with the show jumping followed by a “pit-spot” where riders can change their tack and put on their cross-country kit, before heading off around the cross-country phase which will include banks, ditches and water.

Watch a computer-generated view of the arena

Clayton Fredericks

Lucinda Fredericks

Andrew Nicholson

Vittoria Panizzon

Alex Hua Tian

Jodie Kidd swaps Strictly Come Dancing for Express Eventing

Horse & Hound — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:22:53 +0000

Jodie Kidd is picking herself up from being voted out of Strictly Come Dancing by preparing for her head-to-head with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson in a celebrity show jumping competition at Express Eventing this weekend.

“I can’t wait,” said Jodie. “It’s going to be brilliant.” And she is feeling very confident about her chances. “It’s going to be a different type of competition to what I’ve been doing recently, but I’m confident that my horse and I are going to fly round that arena!” [Listen to her full interview below]

But while Jodie has been dazzling TV fans with her dancing, her rival has been getting tips from top event riders.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson met up with Mark Todd and Oliver Townend last week for some expert tuition, and she is determined to give Jodie a run for her money.

“I don’t come from a family of Olympic riders, but I do come from a family of Olympic skiers and as you have to be fearless for both so I’m feeling confident,” said Tara. “Mark and Oliver have really helped me and I’m definitely leaving with a few tricks up my sleeve!”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Stuart Buntine, former international rider and the man behind Express Eventing, said: “It’s great that Tara is learning from two of the best riders. It’s given her the perfect preparation for the competition at the Millennium Stadium where we’re all gearing up to see some fantastic riding from Tara, Jodie and the professional riders.”

Top event riders from around the world are going to be competing for a first prize of £100,000 in the unique event, which is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support as its nominated charity.

Stay in touch with all the news from Express Eventing on Horseandhound.co.uk

Tina Cook’s Express Eventing diary: less than 10 days to go

Horse & Hound — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:57:28 +0000

I can’t believe how manic everything is at the moment. Between getting Miners Frolic (Henry) and First Flight II (Brendon) ready for Cardiff, and riding out a couple of racehorses for my brother each day, the time is passing in a blur. One day merges into the next and suddenly Express Eventing is less than 10 days away.

The good news is that both of the horses are currently on good form. They have been cantering and jumping well at home. As neither of them have had a run recently – Henry has been on holiday since Hong Kong and Brendon’s last run was at Brightling in July – I will be taking them for a cross-country school next week. This will give them the chance to splash through some water before the big day.

I went over to see Dane Rawlings, my dressage-to-music DJ, on Wednesday and spent a couple of hours with both horses working on the music. We are very nearly there now and I’m heading back to put the finishing touches to the music today (Friday). It’s worth me travelling to Dane’s as he has all the state-of-the-art high-tech editing equipment on site. It’s much more complicated than my little CD player – I wouldn’t know where to start!

At the moment I still haven’t decided which of the horses I’m going to take. Knowing what horses are like, if I back off one of them and focus on the other, the one I am preparing is bound to have some silly whoopsy the day before. So I am going to carry on preparing them both so I can decide at the last possible minute.

It’s going to be a very busy weekend for everyone involved. There is a rugby match taking place at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday so the organisers aren’t going to be able to start setting up until after that has finished. I think they are going to have to work through the night!

The riders have a special dinner to look forward to the night before, but we have to be ready for the arena walk at 7am on Sunday morning so can’t drink too much free Champagne! After the early morning arena walk, the riders will get their chance to walk the jumping course. We will have to assess the questions that have been asked and decide what is going to be the best track as there are going to be a number of options along the way. It’s going to be a full on, action-packed weekend. I’m really excited and can’t wait!

See you there.

Tina

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Jodie Kidd to show jump for charity

Charlotte White — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:17:19 +0000

Fans of reality TV have a treat in store at the Express Eventing International Cup at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium on 30 November, in the shape of a jump-off between Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Jodie Kidd.

The Strictly Come Dancing star and model Jodie will take on I’m a Celebrity’s Tara head-to-head for a charity show jumping round before the main event.

The girls, who are both keen riders, will tackle the same show jumps that will form part of the international competition later in the day.

Express Eventing is a new idea where the three-day event format is condensed into just half a day, indoors.

Eventing legends Mark Todd, William Fox-Pitt, Tina Cook, Mary King and many others are signed up to take part on 30 November.

Tina Cook’s Express Eventing diary: celebrity dressage judges

Horse & Hound — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:50:43 +0000

This week seems to have flown by — it seems like no time since I was writing my diary last week.

Miners Frolic (Henry) is doing more schooling now, and I’ve been working on a few movements that I want to do in my freestyle to music dressage test at the Express Eventing competition.

Because Henry had a holiday after Hong Kong, we’re on quite a tight time schedule to get him ready for the event on 30 November, but I’m hoping to have him in tip top condition. He’s had a short, easy jumping session this week too, and he seems on good form.

My other possible Express Eventing ride, First Flight II (Brendon), came back to my yard yesterday. He had an injury back in the middle of the season so had a rest and then started his fitness work with his owner, Polly Samson.

I schooled him today and he worked well. At 17, he’s an older horse who knows his basic job, but has limitations. He has arthritic hind joints, so he finds it hard to sit behind and take the weight. This limited suppleness means lateral work, such as half passes, is difficult for him.

Brendon tries his best though, and I have to ride him tactfully because if I put too much pressure on him he gets worried because he’s not as supple as he used to be. If I do ride him for Express Eventing, I won’t be as ambitious in my test as I will be with Miners Frolic.

I’m taking both horses to see Dane Rawlins — who has agreed to help me with my music and devising my tests — on Friday so he can get see what they are like and we can run through some ideas.

We heard this week that Strictly Come Dancing’s Arlene Phillips and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber will be two of the dressage judges in Cardiff. With four more traditional dressage judges there too, there could be quite varying opinions, which will be interesting.

I think it’s fantastic for the sport that such high profile people are getting involved, although if Arlene is anything like she is on television it could be quite scary as she certainly speaks her mind. Hopefully she will enjoy herself and ideas like this will help draw new people into the sport.

That’s all for now, hopefully I can tell you some more about my music next week after my meeting with Dane.

Tina

Arlene Phillips and Andrew Lloyd Webber to judge Express Eventing

Pippa Roome — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:40:49 +0000

Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and composer of musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber are to be judges at the inaugural Express Eventing International Cup at Cardiff on 30 November.

Andrew and Arlene will be join Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Isobel Wessels, Frances Verbeek and Andrew Gardner to judge the freestyle dressage to music section for the new condensed eventing competition.

Andrew, said: “My wife Madeleine was an international eventer, so this sport has been a big part of our life — though I will admit that I still have a lot to learn about horses. I am delighted to be asked to play a part in what is a great new sporting event.”

Arlene said: “It is so much fun using my experience in all sorts of different arenas and this is a first for me. I always enjoy working with Andrew on a project and this is certainly an original one. With 20 different riders choosing 20 different pieces of music, it is going to be fascinating to see how the horses respond and the competition evolves.”

Arlene has choreographed many stage musicals, including Starlight Express and The Sound of Music and is also director of the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.

Andrew is a producer and composer of numerous musicals including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Phantom of the Opera and Evita. The BBC has recently been him to write the UK’s next Eurovision song.

Express Eventing website

Tina Cook’s Express Eventing diary week one: horse choices

Horse & Hound — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:29:59 +0000

I first heard about Express Eventing when organiser Stuart Buntine rang me after the Olympics and explained the concept. He was inviting riders through the FEI rankings list, which I don’t figure very highly on because I’ve only got three horses eventing. But he said that my two Olympic bronze medals had brought me into the equation.

My immediate thought was that it sounded like an amazing competition — so exciting and with fantastic prize-money. I thought that I must try to find a suitable horse, who was good enough to be competitive. I didn’t think of Miners Frolic (Henry) straight away — he had just come back from Hong Kong and I wanted him to have a proper holiday, out in the field with his part-owner Sarah Pelham.

My other advanced horse is First Flight II (Brendon), a 17-year-old who had suffered a slight injury in the middle of the season and has just had the go ahead from the vet to start work again.

A couple of months down the line, Henry is back in work too and I’m still wavering over which to ride. Potentially, Henry is the more competitive horse — Brendon is likely to be out of touch after the dressage, but he’s a great jumper.

So for now, I’m keeping my options open. If Henry feels on top form when he comes back from his holiday, he’ll get the nod, otherwise I’ll ride Brendon, assuming he stays sound as his work increases.

By hedging my bets, I’m making life difficult for myself in terms of planning my freestyle dressage to music test. The horses have very different paces and strengths and I’m probably going to have to work out two tests, one for each of them.

I’ve never done dressage to music before, nor paid much attention to it, so I’m pretty naïve. Let’s face it, eventing dressage is normally pretty boring, but this could be great fun so I’ve asked Dane Rawlins to spice it up for me. He lives locally, so I’ve been to his once to run through some ideas and hopefully we’ll catch up again next week.

That’s about it as far as plans go for now, but hopefully I’ll be back with some more next week.

Tina

Pierre Michelet is course-designer for Express Eventing

Pippa Roome — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:24:28 +0000

Pierre Michelet will make his cross-country course-designing debut in Britain at the Express Eventing International Cup in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on 30 November.

The renowned French designer is responsible for the track at Pau four-star this weekend and many riders have previously expressed a desire to see him work on this side of the Channel.

“It has been a really exciting opportunity,” said Pierre. “The course is designed to replicate traditional eventing, but with restricted distance and terrain. This is very different to other indoor courses. It is not designed to be about speed. The design ensures that accuracy is extremely important.

“In indoor cross-country it is more a speed class. Express Eventing is a much longer course, in an area about six times the size that is designed to encourage rhythm, balance and accuracy.”

The course will include three water features, a bank and several ditches and hedges, and has been designed in consultation with the event’s technical director Mike Tucker.

Di Boddy, show jumping designer at Burghley and Bramham, will design the show jumping track, which will have several optional routes.

Tina Cook to write diary for H&H online

Tina Cook will be writing a weekly diary on www.horseandhound.co.uk detailing her preparation for Express Eventing. Her first installment will go live next Thursday.

Free Express Eventing tickets for all 2008 pre-novice and intro winners

Pippa Roome — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:14:09 +0000

All British Eventing (BE) 2008 pre-novice and intro section winners will get free tickets to the new Express Eventing competition at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 30 November.

BE has teamed up with Express Eventing to offer the free tickets, worth over £28,000, to more than 800 winners.

Letters have been sent to the section winners with details on how to apply for their free ticket.

BE also has 10 tickets, worth £35 each, to give away. To enter the draw, you need to answer the following question: name three riders who have signed up to compete for the Express Eventing International Cup at Cardiff.

Please send your name, address and answer by email to isla.boxall-loomes@britisheventing.com or by post to Express Eventing Competition, British Eventing, NAC, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2RN. The winners will be drawn from a hat on 31 October, 2008.

Nicolas Touzaint signs up for Express Eventing competition

Pippa Roome — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:23:52 +0000

European champion Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) is among the latest riders to sign up for Express Eventing.

France’s leading eventer is one of four more stars to confirm their attendance at the new competition at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 30 November.

The others are Germany’s former European champion Bettina Hoy, Sweden’s double World Cup winner Linda Algotsson and America’s Buck Davidson.

Twenty eventers have now signed up for the event, the expected number of competitors, although Express Eventing’s Helen Barklam said today that organisers are still speaking to a few more riders.

Full list of riders for Express Eventing

Express Eventing website

Ticket details and programme

Express Eventing: the concept behind the competition

Pippa Roome — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:26:13 +0000

British-based Australian Stuart Buntine, a former top level eventer and current horse trials organiser, has been working on the concept of Express Eventing on and off for nearly a decade.

“We expect people to drive in a car and walk five miles in the rain to enjoy the sport,” he said at a press conference today in London. “That’s one of pluses of eventing — the fact we have great locations — but it’s also a downside.

“I wanted to organise something which would draw people together where they could see the whole thing in one afternoon. And I wanted it to be a serious competition.”

Stuart’s aim is very much to publicise traditional eventing through this new format, not to take anything away from the existing sport.

“I want to promote the sport to a new audience,” he said, going on to talk about the new competition’s huge prize-fund, £250,000. “Tim Henman retired a millionaire without ever winning a major, while these guys risk their lives on a daily basis for a pittance.”

The company formed to run The Express Eventing International Cup is called Tricorn Events Limited and Stuart is the chief executive. The company’s chairman is John Peace, a businessman and event horse owner.

There are some 42,000 seats available for spectators in the Millennium Stadium for Express Eventing. Only the top two of the three tiers of seating are to be used.

Stuart explained: “From that height you see the whole sport from a different angle because you are above it all. Every time I go up there the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“If we used the bottom tier of seats it would be just like watching a normal horse competition. Also, not using the closest seats to the arena releases some pressure from the horses and riders and makes the bowl seem bigger.”

Stuart hopes to roll out Express Eventing into a worldwide series next year.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from venues around the world — especially in the States and the Far East — but nothing is finalised yet,” he said.

Express Eventing website

Ticket details and programme