Express Eventing returns to Bolesworth
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.
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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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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.