Visitors to the 2008 British Open Show Jumping Championships at the NEC, Birmingham will have the unique opportunity to see the world’s leading show jumpers and top event riders competing at the same indoor event.
Britain’s top ten international show jumpers, alongside prominent riders from abroad, will be invited to contest the prestigious British Open title, with a Championship round on each of the first three days culminating in the Final on Sunday afternoon.
Jessica Kurten, ranked 1st in Ireland, 4th in the World and current Western European League leading rider, won the British Open title in 2007 and is scheduled to return to defend her title. She will join Britain’s show jumping star family, the Whitakers (Michael, John, Robert, Ellen and William) and a host of the UK’s leading riders to compete for the esteemed title of British Open Champion 2008. The event offers the biggest single indoor show jumping prize in Britain and this year the total prize money on offer is in excess of £150,000 with the British Open Champion receiving over £25,000. Two further riders will win a place to compete at the British Open at the Addington Classic from 28th – 30th March, 2008.
Top ten ranked British riders (as per BSJA list on 31st December 2007):
John Whitaker MBE (Yorkshire)
Michael Whitaker (Nottingham)
Nick Skelton (Warwickshire)
Robert Whitaker (Yorkshire)
Tim Stockdale (Northamptonshire)
Ellen Whitaker (South Yorkshire)
William Whitaker (South Yorkshire)
Robert Smith (Warwickshire)
William Funnell (Surrey)
David McPherson (Kent)