Two of GB's most successful riding families will be out in force at the inaugural Liverpool International Horse Show
Friday 04 December 2015
Two of British showjumping's most successful riding families will be out in force at the inaugural Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show.
The Whitaker dynasty - spearheaded at Liverpool Echo Arena from January 1-3 by John, Michael, Robert and William - are set to be joined by the Charles quartet of Peter, Harry, Scarlett and Sienna.
Liverpool-born Peter, the anchorman in Great Britain's golden London 2012 Olympics jump-off triumph, will contest the four-star classes alongside many of the world's leading performers. Harry, meanwhile, features among a star-studded section of under-25 competitors, with Scarlett and Sienna both on a trail of success in the amateur classes.
Liverpool's first international horse show will kick-start the 2016 Rio Olympics year, and it is wholly appropriate that Peter will find himself in the spotlight again after a post-London period spent prioritising his children's riding progress and overseeing extensive refurbishment at the state-of-the-art family base in Alton, Hampshire.
The 55-year-old, who landed the 1995 European individual championship in Switzerland, claimed a Hickstead Derby hat-trick from 2001 to 2003 and is a former Olympia World Cup winner, still has ambitions of his own.
"It all depends on horse-power," he said. "I am out there looking. If I see a suitable horse between now and the end of the year, I will buy it myself. It is, though, a long shot to get a horse now for that (Rio).”
"I am not retired. I am not finished. I will pick and choose as and when, depending on horses, when and where I will ride. If you say you are retired and a horse comes along tomorrow, you look a right plum!"
Harry, meanwhile, confirmed his continued rise earlier this year when he claimed individual silver at the Junior European Championships in Austria, while also helping Great Britain win team bronze.
Reflecting on his success, Harry said: "It was a huge achievement for me in Austria, and one that I have always wanted.”
"Competing against the best riders from Europe and being able to beat them puts you in a good position. It fills you with confidence, and I’ve still got two years remaining in that category."
Each day of the Liverpool Show will host both afternoon and evening performances, with a targeted 6,000 strong audience at each viewing. The action-packed schedule combines world-class show jumping with high quality shopping and an array of show-stopping displays and performances to give a truly unforgettable family experience.
Besides the thrilling four-star showjumping action, attracting famous names from around the globe, there will be a fantastic entertainment line-up for everyone to enjoy. This includes the ever-popular Shetland Pony Grand National, The Bootleg Beatles tribute act, and Clémence Faivre, a truly spectacular horsewoman making her name in the equestrian arts and performance industry, who is set to give a spellbinding display, working closely with her Lusitano horses.
Besides the displays and showjumping, there will be a fabulous shopping village in a hall housing the collecting ring, champagne bar and bistro offering a quality selection of trade stands.
Looking ahead to Liverpool, Peter Charles added: "It's brilliant. I didn't think something like this would happen in my lifetime in Liverpool. I would never have dreamt it.
"I was there for the launch event in June this year, and when you are there, you see the venue and what it can be, then for sure it is very impressive. We need shows like this one in the cities - we need showcases for the sport."
