Hartpury Festival of Dressage
Monday, February 27, 2006
Following on from the hugely successful inaugural event last year, Hartpury College are planning an even bigger International dressage show this year. The Hartpury Festival of Dressage will run for five days from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th July 2006. The event will again attempt to encompass all aspects of dressage including national Premier League, International Para Equestrian and FEI International classes.
The Para Equestrian competition, for the first time under the jurisdiction of the FEI, will be an international team competition and will act as the test event for the FEI World Para Dressage Championships to be held at Hartpury the following year. With only forty entries available it is anticipated that they will be quickly filled by top riders from around the world. The 2007 World Championships is the main qualifying event for the Paralympics in Hong Kong in 2008.
The CDI3* International dressage attracted a good field in 2005, with many of Britain’s top combinations including Carl Hester with Escapado and Richard Davison and Hiscox Karachi. With one successful year behind them, Hartpury hope to attract additional foreign entries this year.
Event Director, Amanda Ward commented:
“We were delighted with the Festival last year. The feedback from judges, competitors, sponsors and spectators was that we had started something really special. We learnt a lot last year and now can’t wait to grow the show into a true spectacle for dressage in the UK.”
Hartpury are planning a special Saturday evening gala performance with classes including the International grand prix music freestyle class.
In conjunction with British Dressage, the Festival will also incorporate an education programme. This will include judge training for able-bodied and para judges, using the very popular video analysis system trialled at the show last year. With top judges including Stephen Clarke and Christoph Hess, the training will provide an excellent opportunity for all.
• Last year's CDI Grand Prix winner: Carl Hester and Escapado
