competition news Somerford Park: bringing dressage to all
High profile dressage has been hosted at Cheshire’s Somerford Park Farm for over a decade but this year it’s all change and a new team have huge plans for one of the North West’s premier equine fixtures. The British Dressage Premier League fixture was established in 2002 and grew into one of the area’s premier dressage events under the guidance of Julian Sebire. But the leadership has now passed to co-organisers Jo Graham and Susie Farnon and the duo are focused on making it a dressage spectacle for everyone, young and old, equine or not.
For 2015, they’ll run the existing Premier League show over 22 – 24 May with a range of classes, right up to the sport’s pinnacle, grand prix and as ever, the sport’s top riders are expected to compete. But this year’s event comes with a twist… Jo and Susie are devoted dressage lovers and they want to showcase the sport to a wider public. So, this year’s event
will be a family-friendly affair with a ‘Kids’ Corner’ complete with bouncy castle, bungee trampolines and tea cup & saucer ride. Plus there’ll be sessions with some of our top riders where visitors can meet them and learn more about their careers and dressage.
Jo Graham commented; “As well as the dressage spectacle we love, this new venture is being geared towards being family-friendly and, above all else, fun! Many new ideas are being discussed and we want to explore new territory to be able to bring dressage to a wider audience. We want to offer the best facilities and organisation possible for the riders and horses but equally give spectators that little bit extra on this fantastic showground. We have an enthusiastic committee behind us and we’re all looking forward to welcoming everyone, old and new, to this new event.”
This year however is merely a dress rehearsal for what’s
April 4th,British Dressage Test Riding Day April 5th, BD & Unaffil Dressage April 7th, Dressage UK Afternoon/Eve Competition April 19th, MHSC ODE and Show X
www.todburnequestriancentre.co.uk Near Morpeth, Northumberland Tel: 07815 297024
To advertise your show, event or training fixture in equine magazine and on our facebook pages, contact 01228 676935.
on the horizon in 2016. Next year, the fixture has applied for international status to run a CDI3* alongside the Premier League fixture. So make sure 26 – 30 May 2016 is firmly in your diary! Jo and the team will also add a new feature class in 2016, the Future International Dressage Star. With sections for riders aged under 10 up to 21, there will be four sections and riders will be judged on their ability, position and effectiveness.
Preliminary rounds will be hosted on Saturday 28 May with the top four in each section going forward to Sunday’s Championship before Olympic and European Team Gold Medallist Carl Hester has the tough job of selecting a supreme champion. So youngsters are encouraged to pay Somerford a visit this year to see the showground and get a feel of the event with a view to riding there in 2016!
Visitors can add a touch of luxury to their trip with
a table in the arena-view VIP marquee. The package includes show entry, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and all the dressage action you can drink in! Tables of ten are £550 on any of the three days, or if your party is just a friend or two, individual tickets are £60 per day.
Layout changes mean that the numbers of trade stands has been increased so there will be ample opportunity for a spot of shopping distraction as well as the new entertainments plus somewhere to grab a bite to eat. Entry to the show ground is £5 per person with a cap of £10 per car; children are free of charge. Groups bringing a coach or mini bus will be charged just £2 per head.
Visit the newly launched website at www.
somerforddressage.com for more information plus all the latest news as the countdown begins towards the end of May.
www.farmnequine.co.uk
.theequinesite.co.uk
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