World’s no.1 showjumper heads for HOYS
Showjumping fans will be able to see top riders — including the world number one Ben Maher — in action at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this week (9-13 October).
Ben, who became the first British rider to top the rankings for more than 20 years will be joined by his Olympic gold medal-winning teammate Nick Skelton.
Other top British names confirmed to jump include Laura Renwick, Guy Williams, Robert Smith, Tina Fletcher and Daniel Nielson.
Europeans team gold medallist William Funnell and Hickstead Derby winner Phillip Miller will also be at HOYS.
Peter Charles had been entered, but will be unable to compete due to an injured hand. However, he will be in Birmingham to support his 3 children.
Foreign riders Laura Kraut and Lauren Hough (USA), crowd-pleasing Egyptian Abdel Said, plus Ireland’s Dermott Lennon, Cian O’Connor and Denis Lynch will also be in attendance, contesting the 11 international classes held at HOYS over the week with a total prize-fund of £150,500. The climax is the leading show jumper of the year on Sunday, 13 October, worth £40,000.
“We thrilled with the line-up of British riders and that, once again, we have Olympic and European gold medallists among them,” said Grandstand Media’s Helena Pettit.
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“We also have a strong contingent of foreign international riders, which will ensure both our regular and new visitors are kept thoroughly entertained.”
The 5 wildcard qualifiers had been confirmed as Nicole Pavitt, David McPherson, Ellen Whitaker, Robert Bevis and Tim Page.
For more information visit www.hoys.co.uk or tel: 0844 581 8282.
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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.