Royal Windsor to host new British Horse Society Lecture Demo Series
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
For the first time Royal Windsor Horse Show is to stage an exciting programme of master classes and lecture demos covering all aspects of horse care, training and sport.
Organised by The British Horse Society, the programme will take place in the Copper Horse Ring on all four public days of the show. Among highlights of this “feast of everything equestrian” will be a master class by Yogi Breisner FBHS, British Eventing World Class Performance Manager and Olympic team trainer.
The series, which is the brainchild of BHS President Desi Dillingham, will cover all aspects of horsemanship from training and schooling horses, to competing and simply having fun – the varied programme features everything from the spectacle and discipline of the Riding Club Quadrille to the sport of BHS TREC.
BHS TREC is a unique equestrian sport based on the French discipline "Le Trec". Introduced to this country by The British Horse Society in 1998, BHS TREC appeals to a variety of riders with all kinds of horses and ponies. The competition is designed to test a horse/rider combination through a whole range of activities rather than focusing on one particular discipline. The sport requires versatility and training, combining the requirements of trail riding with jumping and correct basic flatwork.
The new Royal Windsor programme will also highlight The British Horse Society’s Riding and Road Safety Test, bringing home to the show’s audience the importance of improving safety on increasingly busy roads. The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test is taken by over 4,000 candidates a year and helps to educate riders in road safety in order to minimise the risk involved when riding on the roads. Training is available to all riders from 12 years of age and the test is supported by the Department for Transport. It is the only test that any rider will undertake that has the potential to save not only their own life but that of their horse as well.
Desi Dillingham said: “In developing this idea, I saw the most wonderful opportunity to give a whole new group of people the chance to showcase their skills and ride at Royal Windsor, one of the most prestigious shows in the world. From the spectator’s point of view, this will underline the real versatility and purpose of the BHS at its best – in training, education and the sheer enjoyment of horses.”
Organiser of Royal Windsor Horse Show, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “This is the first time that we have held lecture demos of this kind at Royal Windsor and we are delighted to be hosting the BHS programme which breaks new ground at the show. The programme will supplement the excitement of the top level show jumping, showing and carriage driving competitions taking place and will offer something for everyone interested in horses.”
