British riders invited to compete at HOYS

Organisers of the Horse of the Year Show have announced the 10 British Show Jumpers who automatically qualify to compete in the international classes at Birmingham NEC from 6-10 October 2010.

The riders are drawn from the British Showjumping’s top rider rankings as at 31 July 2010 and are:
Ben Maher, Nick Skelton, Guy Williams, Ellen Whitaker, Peter Charles, John Whitaker, Laura Renwick, Robert Whitaker, Mark Armstrong, Daniel Neilson


Due to the World Equestrian Games coinciding with HOYS 2010, Michael Whitaker (currently ranked 2nd), Scott Brash (currently ranked 10th) and Tina Fletcher (currently ranked 11th) do not appear in the list. They will be heading to Kentucky to represent Great Britain in the games.

There are still additional opportunities for British riders to qualify to compete internationally at this year’s Horse of the Year Show.

The winner of the International Stairway/International Trial points league after the final leg of the series at Royal County of Berkshire Show (18-19 September) will gain a place, as will the winners of the wildcard qualifiers at Rowallan Activity Centre, Ayrshire (9-12 September) and Arena UK, Lincolnshire (21-26 September).

The International classes start on Thursday, 7 October and finish with the Leading Show Jumper of the Year class in Sunday, 10 October's gala evening performance. The total prize money for the international classes is £118,330.