OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST SCOTT BRASH TO COMPETE AT HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 2012
Thursday 30 August 2012
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Horse of the Year Show, “The World’s Most Famous Horse Show”, is delighted to confirm that Olympic gold medallist Scott Brash will compete at this year’s show held at Birmingham’s NEC from 3rd – 7th October.
The 26-year-old international show jumper from Peebles in Scotland was invited to compete, along with 11 other riders drawn from British Showjumping’s Top Rider rankings (as of 31st July 2012), in the international classes at Horse of the Year Show. The classes, four of which carry Rolex World Ranking points, commence on Thursday 4th October and culminate with the Leading Show Jumper of the Year on the Sunday evening. He will also be competing in the national classes on Wednesday 3rd October with Park Lane in the Equestrianclearance.com Senior Newcomers final.
Scott played an integral part in securing Team GB’s first team show jumping gold medal for 60 years, riding Lady Kirkham and Lady Harris’ Hello Sanctos, while a strong performance across the week resulted in an equal fifth finish in the individual competition, alongside Nick Skelton.
A string of successes for Scott preceded the Olympic Games, including victory in the World Cup Grand Prix in Florida back in March, his first major win on Hello Sanctos.
Scott has won a number of titles at Horse of the Year Show over the years. In 2005, he won the Six Year Old Championship riding Senette, while a good year in 2008 resulted in two prestigious wins – the Seven Year Old Championship on Beaujolais and the sought-after Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship riding Sauron ML. This year Scott will return to the NEC to defend his title in the Zinc Management Trophy on the Friday evening, the class in which he rode Bon Ami to victory last year. He was also second in the Speed Horse of the Year class in 2011 riding his father Stanley’s Sebastian.
Scott’s sister Lea, who works on the family’s yard in Peebles, will also compete at this year’s show having qualified for the British Show Jumping Amateur Classic Championship on the Sunday morning riding Annan Vhb. Lea started competing at the age of 12 and has also competed in the junior classes at Horse of the Year Show.
Helena Pettit from Grandstand Media Ltd, organiser of Horse of the Year Show, commented: “We’re delighted to have the first of our equestrian Olympic medallists confirmed to compete here at Horse of the Year Show. This year’s show will be a true celebration of the successes over the past year with a 60,000 strong home crowd to cheer the riders on, alongside a special parade of champions during Sunday night’s gala performance. We look forward to welcoming Scott and our other Olympians to the NEC in October.”
The 2012 Horse of the Year Show will host the finals of the most highly regarded national showing and show jumping championships, alongside international show jumping and an exciting line-up of equestrian entertainment, including the exclusive display The Final Charge by Atkinson Action Horses, the Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games for the Prince Philip Cup, Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Racing, a Dressage Demo with Richard Davison and a Show Jumping lecture demonstration with Tim Stockdale. The popular Think Like a Pony Interactive Feature Area will make a welcome return, and of course the famous HOYS Retail Village featuring hundreds of trade stands. An extra special finale on Sunday night will include iconic actor Brian Blessed reading the famous Ode to the Horse, “Britain’s Got Talent” sensations Only Boys Aloud performing some spine-tingling pieces and appearances from some special champions including our 2012 Olympic medallists and Grand National winner Neptune Collonges.
For show information, including the show timetable, and to book, visit www.hoys.co.uk or call 0844 581 8282.
Photo: Scott Brash and Whiskey Mac competing in the Sky Sports Trophy at Horse of the Year Show 2011. Photograper Roberto Cubeddu
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