Dressage returns to HOYS with a new 'Future Elite' class

Seven horses aged between seven and 10 years old, currently working at an Advanced Medium and Prix St Georges level, will be invited to compete at the show, where they will perform the Intermediate I Freestyle to Music test. Backed by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Development Programme, the competition will offer some of the country’s leading riders a fantastic opportunity to compete their up-and-coming Grand Prix horses in an international setting, before three world-renowned judges.

The exciting British-bred Woodlander Farouche is the first horse confirmed in the line-up. The Hanoverian mare won the six-year-old title at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Germany last summer, scoring the highest recorded marks. She also took the five-year-old title in 2011. It is precisely this level of flourishing talent that theDressage Future Elite Championship is looking to showcase.

Dedicated to providing the best experience possible for competitors and spectators alike, “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show” will present the 8,000-strong audience with the unique opportunity to watch top dressage riders in action, while witnessing emerging equine talent. Elements of the test will include awe-inspiring canter pirouettes, half pass and flying changes, which, set to theatrical and emotive music, will make the drama and spectacle of the Dressage Future Elite Championship second to none.

With its introduction coinciding with Horse of the Year Show’s 65^th year, the competition marks a positive step forward in the show’s continual development and is set to expand into a qualified-for final in future years. This year, it will also be complimented by the popular Dressage Master Class, scheduled to take place on Friday 11^th October 2013.

Amanda Bond, Chief Executive of British Dressage, commented: “We’re really excited about the addition of this fantastic class to Horse of the Year Show.  Dressage really hit the headlines last summer and to continue that legacy is just what we’re looking for. To give our rising stars the chance to compete on such a stage will give them great experience, as well as showcase dressage to a wider public as part of the anniversary event.  We want everyone to come to Birmingham and experience the ‘dancing horses’!”

Helena Pettit of Grandstand Media Ltd, organiser of Horse of the Year Show, added: “ We are extremely excited that the Dressage Future Elite Championshipis set to go ahead and are confident that it will be extremely well-received by competitors and visitors alike, as well as the entire dressage fraternity. Horse of the Year Show is world-renowned for finding the champions of champions, and so is the ideal platform to support our future dressage champions as well.”

There are plenty of surprises in store at the 2013 Horse of the Year Show. As well as hosting the finals of the most highly regarded national showing and show jumping championships and top-class international show jumping, a full line-up of unbeatable entertainment will help to celebrate the show’s 65^th year in style. There will be two very special displays; Luma the Lion, the small pony ingeniously disguised as a big cat, and a second one soon to be announced. Visitors to Sunday’s gala evening performance will enjoy stepping back in time during the Cavalcade, while Ted the Clydesdale, star of Sally Anne Outram’s book The Story of Ted, will be entertaining visitors all week in the Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from just £28. Concession rates and discounts for group bookings are available. With popular performances selling out in record time in 2012, visitors are advised to secure their seats early to avoid disappointment.