Sheffield spotlight on young riders
The British Open Show Jumping Championships will host the British Young Riders Under 23 Championship, supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Start & Potential Programme, next month.
Twenty riders will go forward to the British Young Riders Under 23 Classic on Friday 7 April, with the final taking place the following day at Sheffield’s Hallam FM Arena. The riders have qualified at competitions held around the country during the past three months.
With over £2,000 worth of prize money on offer, plus training vouchers valued at £1,450, this competition signifies the commitment of the World Class Start & Potential Programme to develop young talent within British show jumping.
Vikki Underwood, World Class Start & Potential Managers says: “We have again been delighted with the interest that the British Young Riders U23 Classic has generated among the best young show jumping riders.”
Mike Gill of the British Open organisers Grandstand Media says: “The British Open offers these young riders the perfect opportunity to compete in a top class international environment facing similar challenges of their elder counterparts. These young riders are the future of the sport and we look forward to seeing them competing for the British Open Championship in the future.”
The British Open, now in its fourth year, continues to attract some of the biggest names in British show jumping, who are invited to battle with a number of top class foreign riders for the title of British Open Champion 2006.
For more information and tickets contact the box office (tel: 0114 256 5656) or visit: www.britishopenshowjumping.com
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Support for future eventing stars
Witan Investment Trust is supporting the British Eventing British Young Rider Programme, which has helped produce many senior eventing stars including Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Zara Phillips.
Witan is using the sponsorship to promote its “Jump – the Savings Fund for Children” brand – a low cost scheme for investing in the financial future of children and young adults. The Jump British Young Rider Programme 2006 got underway last weekend at Aldon and Lincoln with the first two of six nominated trials where selectors enjoyed their first glimpse at this year’s potential squad members.
The European Championships this year take place at the home of the world famous steeplechase, Pardubice in the Czech Republic, 3 – 6 August. Witan will also support the British Under 21 Championship at Weston Park 5 – 8 October.
Calling Welsh young instructors
BHS Cymru is giving £100 to each of the eight instructors in the Welsh qualifier of the Young Instructor of the Year Competition to help with their costs. The Welsh qualifier will take place on Tuesday, 11 July, at Liege Manor Farm Equestrian Centre in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Applicants must be aged under 30 on 31 December 2006 and hold a minimum of the Preliminary Teaching Certificate. They must also be on the BHS Register of Instructors.
Application forms are available from Jan Roche (tel: 01656 724700) or J.Roche@bhs.org.uk or from the BHS Training Department (tel: 01926 707799) or training@bhs.org.uk . Forms can also be downloaded from www.bhs.org.uk .
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.