Grandstand Group, the company behind HOYS and the British Open, has today announced that the British Open Show Jumping Championships 2009 (16th – 19th April at Birmingham’s NEC LG Arena) will host a variety of new classes and features. The 2009 event will once again provide world-class international and national show jumping alongside new mesmerising displays and exciting competition including a showing class – the Working Hunter Grand Prix, and a Pony Club Home International show jumping class.
NEW FOR 2009
NATIONAL SHOW JUMPING – Amateur Championship
On Thursday 16th April, the British Open will host its first Amateur Championship. The class is open to registered horses of any grade ridden by a Full, Associate or Junior Associate BSJA member excluding the top 150 on the BSJA Riders Ranking List 314*.
The first three placed horse/rider combinations at the following qualifiers will be eligible to compete in the Final at the British Open Show Jumping Championships, disregarding those that have already qualified.
Remaining dates and venues for the British Open Amateur Championships’ Qualifiers:
Rowallan 11th Jan 2009
Towerlands Park 24th Jan 2009
Hand 1st Feb 2009
Solihull 14th Feb 2009
Aintree 21st Feb 2009
Arena UK 15th Mar 2009
Addington 29th Mar 2009
*Other restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions and information on how to enter please visit www.britishopenshowjumping.com
SHOWING – Working Hunter Grand Prix
The 25 starters of the 2008 Horse of the Year Show Working Hunter Championship will be invited to compete at the British Open 2009 during Saturday’s (18th April) Daytime performance in the Working Hunter Grand Prix class. Invitations have been issued and confirmed riders will be announced soon.
Competitors will be vying for a total prize fund of £2,520 and the accolade of being the first British Open Showing Champion.
PONY CLUB – Home International Team Show Jumping
Four Pony Club teams of four from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will contest the Home International on Friday 17th and Saturday (daytime performance) 18th April.
Team members will be selected by the Pony Club. Application details are available on the Pony Club website (www.pcuk.org) where all information and entry forms can also be found. All entries must be submitted by 30th January 2009.
New Parelli Zone
A dedicated Parelli arena will form part of the 2009 British Open. Insightful activities have been planned for the Parelli Zone including seminars and demonstrations on Natural Horsemanship and Parelli training methods. A full timetable detailing activities and timings will be displayed on the British Open website later this month.
New Shopping Pavilion
The Show layout has also been improved! Trade stands will now be located in the new, enlarged Shopping Pavilion which will be situated between the Andrews Bowen International Arena and the Parelli Zone. Selling everything from tack to tweeds under one roof, it’s the perfect place for all your equestrian needs.
The British Open Show Jumping Championships takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th April 2009. For tickets, book online or call the Box Office on 0844 581 1301.