Following the exceptionally well-received inaugural running of the Mount St John Dressage Future Elite Championship in 2013, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) can announce the qualification criteria for this year’s final. Eight of Britain’s top young dressage horses will delight the audience on Friday 10th October. With The Eilberg Dressage Master Class also scheduled a few hours earlier, this is the day at HOYS for the dressage enthusiast, when “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” returns to Birmingham’s NEC 8th – 12th October.
In 2013, combinations working up to Intermediate I level were invited to contest the innovative competition held for the first time on British shores. This year, results from competitions held between 13 October 2013 and 2 August 2014 will be used to determine who will contest the £2,000 first prize.
Horses’ scores in Prix St Georges and Intermediate I competitions at British Premier League Shows, High Profile Shows and British-based CDIs will be used to determine six of the places on offer for the Mount St John Future Dressage Elite Championship. The average of their three best scores will be used to give an overall percentage, with those gaining the highest overall percentage securing places.
Provisional rankings will be released in the run-up to the final opportunity to gain points – The Hickstead CDI*** (30 July – 3 August 2014).
A further two places will be offered as wild cards, the recipients of which will be determined by Horse of the Year Show and British Dressage’s senior selection committee.
The finalists will perform the Intermediate I Freestyle Test To Music in front of a packed house at Horse of the Year Show. They will be scrutinised by a trio of international judges, headed this year by FEI Dressage Judge General, Olympic Judge and Internationally renowned trainer Stephen Clarke.
Helena Pettit, Managing Director of HOYS organiser Grandstand Media Ltd, said: “We’re so pleased the Mount St John Dressage Future Elite Championship was such a success in 2013 and is now evolving into a national final showcasing our exciting dressage talent. We’d also like to wish everyone in contention for a place the best of luck this year.”
Full qualification rules will be available on www.hoys.co.uk in the near future.
Alongside the most prestigious National Showing and Show Jumping Championships, International Show Jumping classes, Virbac 3D Worming Pony Club Mounted Games and Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Racing, HOYS 2014 is packed with even more exciting features. The popular and awe-inspiring Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, which will headline the displays, as demanded by visitors. Friday, 10th October will be the day of choice for dressage fans, with The Eilberg Dressage Master Class and Dressage Future Elite Championship both timetabled. A training class for international riders on the morning of Thursday, 9th October will enable visitors to see how the professionals get their horses ready for the week ahead and the inaugural Metalwood Fencing and The Arab Horse Society Ridden Partbred Pony of the Year Championship will take place on Sunday, 12th October.
Tickets for HOYS 2014 are now on sale. For show information, including the show timetable, and to book, visit www.hoys.co.uk/tickets or call 0844 581 8282.