Qualifying events get under way for Martin Collins BHS Instructors’ Challenge
The British Horse Society’s exciting competition for instructors which climaxes at Royal Windsor Horse Show (12-16 May) enters its second year with a new sponsor, Martin Collins Enterprises.
The Martin Collins BHS Instructors’ Challenge is a combined training competition open to all BHS Registered Instructors. Qualifiers will be held around the UK, with the top two prize winners of each going forward to the final at Royal Windsor. Prize money for the final will be spread across the first six places, with the winner receiving a cheque for £800.
The competition is based on British Dressage Novice Tests with the maximum show jumping height 3ft for the Qualifiers and 3ft 6in in the Final. Competitors must not have ridden internationally within the last ten years, but must be listed on the BHS Register of Instructors.
Last year’s winner, Helen Barton-Smith of Pippin Equestrian Ltd, Dorset, said:
“For people like me who fit competing in when they can around their business, the opportunity to compete at a big show was amazing. It was fantastic for the children we teach as well – I had a string of children with me at the final and they came back buzzing about riding which is great.”
Martin Collins is the UK market-leader and innovator in synthetic surface supply, with over 2,000 installations at equestrian centres and private yards across the country, as well as being the long-standing preference of major competition venues such as Royal Windsor, Olympia, Stoneleigh, Dressage at Hickstead and Addington Manor.
Commenting on their new involvement with the BHS Instructors Challenge, Glynnie Walford said: “This is a unique series and we felt it fitted in well with the Martin Collins sponsorship profile. This competition enables us to reach another of our equestrian disciplines and we extremely pleased to be able to support the BHS. We are looking forward to an exciting final held on our Ecotrack surface at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show and wish all entrants the very best of luck.”
The first two qualifiers take place in February at Askham Bryan College, York (17 February) and Plumpton College, East Sussex (27 February).
Details of all qualifiers can be obtained from BHS Regional Development Officers, full contacts for whom can be found on The British Horse Society’s website, www.bhs.org.uk.
Ticket information (Royal Windsor Horse Show):
Tickets for Royal Windsor Horse Show 2010 are on sale now, priced at £13 (adults), £9 (concessions including Royal Windsor Advantage Card Holders) and £5 (children 5-16years) if booked in advance. Family tickets (two adults and two children) cost £30. Tickets are priced per day and include entry to all the day’s events. You can book online at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning 0844 412 4631 (UK) or + 44 115 993 4119 (International).
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact: Alison Coleman, BHS Communications Department, The British Horse Society, 01926 707737 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk.
Notes to Editors:
Full list of Qualifiers
Yorkshire Region – 17 February, Askham Bryan College,York
London/South East – 27 February, Plumpton College, East Sussex
East of England – 7 March, Manor Farm EC, Cambridgeshire
South West – 12 March, Badgworth Arena, Somerset
East Midlands – 13 March, Vale View Equestrian Centre, Melton Mowbray
North West – 17 March, South View Equestrian Centre, Cheshire
West Midlands – 19 March, Kingswood EC, Wolverhampton
South – 20 March, Sparsholt College, Hampshire
South West – 21 March, Duchy College, Cornwall
Wales/Channel Islands – 22 March, Pencoed College, Mid Glamorgan
North Region – 22 March, Holmeside Hall Equestrian, Co Durham
Scotland – 27 March, Ellands Farm, Morayshire
