Tickets are now on sale for one of Britain’s premier indoor equestrian events, the British Open Show Jumping Championships.
Following the hugely successful 2009 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), Grandstand Group, the team behind HOYS and the British Open, has today announced that tickets for the British Open Show Jumping Championships 2010 have hit the NEC Box Office and are already exceeding previous sales records. The 2010 dates (Wednesday 7th – Saturday 10th April) have been allocated to close the Show with the Championship Final performance on Saturday evening and with no split performances, tickets are now valid all-day on the day the visitor has purchased. With great value tickets and more time to shop and enjoy the first-class entertainment, anyone looking for the perfect Christmas present for their family members and friends need look no further than www.britishopenshowjumping.com.
World-class riders from Britain and abroad will be invited to compete in this unique Championship competition held over four days next April. Leading British rider and three times Champion, Robert Whitaker will return to defend his title as the 2009 British Open Show Jumping Champion and compete in the top speed and jump-off international classes on offer at this FEI 4* event. The crowd favourite Puissance competition, featuring the legendary red wall, will also take place during Friday’s performance.
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 Wednesday with two further rounds on Thursday and Friday, after which a ‘cut’ will decide the top twenty riders who will go forward to contest Saturday’s Final.
In addition, the jam-packed British Open also features a range of national show jumping and showing classes:
Amateur SJ Championship
BEF World Class Development Programme Championship
PCA Futura Final
BSJ Winter Premier Grand Prix Championship
Working Hunter Grand Prix
New classes for 2010:
Ponies UK Superleague
BSJ JA Championship
BSJ British Riding & Pony Club Team Competition
Grade C
Entertainment:
H Factor!
‘Let me entertain you!’ Our four H Factor finalists will be performing their unique routines every day of the British Open vying for your votes to win the H Factor 2010!
1. Here come the girls! An all action stunt show featuring solely female riders, Equestrienne.
2. Strictly come Dressage! Saffron Walden Musical Ride performing dressage to music.
3. Knights in shining armour! Medieval jousting and stunt riding with a twist from the Knights of Middle England.
4. Rock & Roll with Rockin’ Horse! The eccentric, fast paced stunt show that will keep you rockin’.
British Open Indoor Cross Country
On Thursday Evening the world’s top eventers will compete at Britain’s most prestigious indoor cross country event. Famous faces such as Pippa Funnell, William Fox-Pitt and Zara Phillips will be invited to participate in this hugely popular discipline.
Dakota
The boyband with a difference! On Saturday Evening, show jumper Ben Talbot will provide the vocals alongside dressage guru Richard Davison’s son Tom on bass, Aaron Whelan on guitar and Rob Armitage on the drums. With such strong equestrian links, the boys are really looking forward to entertaining the British Open crowd during Saturday night’s Championship Final performance!
Parelli Zone
The Parelli Zone is back by popular demand!
“The Parelli method is a training method that allows horse lovers at all levels and disciplines to achieve: success without force, partnership without dominance, teamwork without fear, willingness without intimidation, and harmony without coercion.” Sue Shoemark of Parelli.
See it demonstrated every day at the British Open!
Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing
Hold on to your seats and prepare for some fast and furious scurry racing! The louder the crowds cheer the faster the ponies will go in the Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Challenge! In a nail-biting competition, spectators will be treated to a thrilling action-packed race as the double harness scurry carts whiz around the tight arena obstacles.
Shopping
Improved shopping! A record number of stands are expected to form part of the British Open Shopping Pavilion. Selling everything from tack to tweeds under one roof, it’s the perfect place to treat you and your horse!
For show information and to book, click here or call the Box Office 0844 581 1301.