Roman “Epic” at HOYS
Visitors to this year’s Horse of the Year Show at the NEC, Birmingham (17-21 September) could be excused for believing they have travelled back to Roman times while enjoying the show’s exclusive headline display, which is the moving story of Equitis Virtus (The Brave Horseman), sponsored by Zinc Management.
Featuring amazing trick riding and unique stunts, this “HOYS Epic” is set in the days of the Roman Empire and tells the story of a peasant farmer who is enslaved and trained to be a gladiator.
This action-packed feature presentation will see some of Britain’s leading professional stuntmen from film and television perform this specially choreographed display in full Roman costume.
Performances will take place in the evening aswell as daytime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mike Gill, director of Grandstand Media Ltd says: “This year’s visitors will be treated to some of the best equestrian stunts ever seen in this country. It has been a mammoth undertaking to produce this exceptional piece of equestrian theatre.”
The extensive cast stars Ian Van Temperley, whose stunt credits have included Jason and the Argonauts, Sleepy Hollow and Gladiator.
“We are thrilled to be invited to the Horse of the Year Show,” says Ian, who is also the driving force behind the renowned Horsemen of the Apocalypse stunt display team.
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“The story will involve several scenes featuring amazing trick riding and we have been rehearsing for several months perfecting some extraordinary stunts which have never been seen before.”
Visitors to this year’s Horse of the Year Show, sponsored by Equestrian Surfaces, can also look forward to top class show jumping and showing, high speed scurry driving, pony club mounted games and an extensive shopping pavilion with a record number of tradestands.
Tickets start at £17.50 with discounts for children under 15, senior citizens and groups of 12 or more. A new “weekday special” ticket has been introduced which covers day and evening performances on Wednesday and Thursday as well as the Friday daytime performance.
For tickets call the booking hotline (tel: 08700 101052) or to make a group booking (tel: 020 8900 9282). Alternatively book online at www.hoys.co.uk
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.