Tickets are now on sale for one of
Britain’s premier indoor equestrian events, the British Open Show Jumping Championships.
Grandstand Event Management, the organiser of the British Open Show Jumping Championships has announced that tickets for next year’s event are now on sale. Following its successful relocation and record ticket sales at its 2007 event, The British Open, one of the blue chip events on the sporting calendar, returns to the NEC Arena,
Birmingham for the second year running.
Mark Wein, Director of Grandstand, commented, “Having launched this event from a standing start in 2003, we are delighted that the British Open has been embraced so quickly and now forms such a major part of the International equestrian calendar. The move to the NEC earlier this year has further raised the profile of the Championship and we are expecting record crowds once again for the 2008 Championships.”This four day equestrian feast is action packed with awe-inspiring displays and sensational competition of the very highest calibre including the coveted British Open Championship. World-class riders from
Britain and abroad have been invited to compete in this unique competition held over four days. Leading lady rider, Jessica Kurten, who is currently ranked 1st in
Ireland and 5th in the World, will return to defend her title as the 2007 British Open Show Jumping Champion and compete in other top show jumping speed and jump-off classes. The unique format of the British Open Championship involves four competitions held over consecutive days with each competition designed to test the riders’ skill and ability in different ways. Round one commences on Thursday evening with two further rounds on Friday and Saturday, after which a ‘cut’ will decide the top twenty riders who will go forward to contest Sunday’s Final. Other thrilling show jumping classes include the Accumulator, the British Open Speed Stakes and the World Class Development Programme Championship. Saturday evening will once again host the crowd favourite Puissance where riders will face the imposing red wall. There is more to keep you entertained alongside the show jumping, however. The highly acclaimed Indoor Cross Country, although a relatively new competition, was so popular last year that it can be seen during two performances at this year’s show (Friday and Saturday Daytime).
Britain’s top equestrian course designer, Bob Ellis, and Eventing guru Mike Tucker will create a course of show jumps mixed with specially commissioned cross country fences. Leading eventers, including World Champion and BBC Sports Personality 2006 Zara Phillips, will be invited to tackle the series of bespoke cross country fences in this exciting competition. The British Open will also present a broad spectrum of equestrian entertainment such as exhilarating Scurry Racing, the
UK’s highest goal Arena Polo competition, high-speed Barrel Racing and a graceful freestyle to music Dressage Display. Headlining the entertainment, this year will see the return of movie stuntman, Daniel Naprous, and his team who will demonstrate their trademark daredevil tricks and aerobatics as well as a unique, choreographed equestrian drama created specially for the show. Visitors passionate about shopping can also enjoy the spacious Shopping Forum accommodating more than 100 stands and staging daily rider signings by top competitors. Whichever day you choose to visit the British Open you are guaranteed a fantastic equestrian experience and remember, tickets for Thursday and Friday performances are valid all-day allowing you to soak up the atmosphere from morning to night. Be the first to hear all the latest show information by visiting the recently re-launched website: www.britishopenshowjumping.com or subscribing to the British Open’s free email newsletter.The British Open Show Jumping Championships takes place at the NEC,
Birmingham from Thursday 3rd – Sunday 6th April 2008. For tickets, call the Box Office on 08700 100 216 or visit the official website at www.britishopenshowjumping.com ENDS