Express Eventing

Express Eventing was introduced in 2008 as a highly condensed and spectator-friendly “Twenty20” version of eventing.

The inaugural competition offered £100,000 to the winner and was held in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. The competition kicked off with a freestyle dressage programme, set to music, where riders were judged on “artistic interpretation”. Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and composer of musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber were among the judging panel.

The first phase was followed by a combined jumping stage, with a “pit-stop” to change tack between the show jumping and cross-country phases, still in the arena. Top French designer Pierre Michelet was the course-designer.

Oliver Townend won the first event, which was sadly marred by the death of Mary King’s Call Again Cavalier. After the event organiser Stuart Buntine admitted there were “lots of lessons to be learnt”, but was committed to running the event again in a different venue and different format.

The next edition was held in July 2010 at Stoneleigh’s Royal Festival of the Horse and targeted young riders. Initially the prize money was mooted to be in excess of £50,000, but those taking part were unhappy when this was reduced to £3,000. It was later raised to £5,000. Winner Flora Harris walked away with the prize money and the keys to a Jeep for a year.

The next development saw Express Eventing run as a series in 2011, with the final at HOYS, which extended to six days to accommodate the competition. Matthew Wright won the HOYS final with Riding If You Want II, taking home £12,500.

The format changed again for 2012-2013, turning into a team event with two riders competing for both the individual championship and the team prize, accumulating points at each leg of the series. The competition did not run again after 2013.