Bolesworth creates £1.7m for county economy
Last year’s Bolesworth Showjumping Classic contributed more than £1.7 million to the Cheshire economy, a survey by Visit Chester and Cheshire has revealed
Express Eventing
Express Eventing was introduced in 2008 as a highly condensed and spectator-friendly “Twenty20” version of eventing.
The inaugural competition offered £100,000 to the winner and was held in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. The competition kicked off with a freestyle dressage programme, set to music, where riders were judged on “artistic interpretation”. Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and composer of musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber were among the judging panel.
The first phase was followed by a combined jumping stage, with a “pit-stop” to change tack between the show jumping and cross-country phases, still in the arena. Top French designer Pierre Michelet was the course-designer.
Oliver Townend won the first event, which was sadly marred by the death of Mary King’s Call Again Cavalier. After the event organiser Stuart Buntine admitted there were “lots of lessons to be learnt”, but was committed to running the event again in a different venue and different format.
The next edition was held in July 2010 at Stoneleigh’s Royal Festival of the Horse and targeted young riders. Initially the prize money was mooted to be in excess of £50,000, but those taking part were unhappy when this was reduced to £3,000. It was later raised to £5,000. Winner Flora Harris walked away with the prize money and the keys to a Jeep for a year.
The next development saw Express Eventing run as a series in 2011, with the final at HOYS, which extended to six days to accommodate the competition. Matthew Wright won the HOYS final with Riding If You Want II, taking home £12,500.
The format changed again for 2012-2013, turning into a team event with two riders competing for both the individual championship and the team prize, accumulating points at each leg of the series. The competition did not run again after 2013.
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Mark Todd bids for a place in Express Eventing final
Toddy will compete in the Express Eventing qualifer at the Bolesworth Castle Showjumping Classic on Saturday 11 June
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New qualifying class added for Express Eventing
There will be a new qualifying class for the Express Eventing series this year
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Express Eventing to run as series with final at HOYS
Express Eventing continues to evolve with a new qualifying series during the summer and a final at the extended six-day Horse of the Year Show
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Alex Hua Tian’s diary: success at Express Eventing
Chinese eventer Alex Hua Tian enjoys himself at the new Express Eventing competition at the Royal Festival of the Horse
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Flora Harris wins Express Eventing at Royal Festival of the Horse
The £5,000 first prize in the second running of the innovative sport of Express Eventing went to 22-year-old Flora Harris riding Law Choice
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Alex Hua Tian’s diary: final preparations for Express Eventing
With Express Eventing this weekend, Chinese eventer Alex Hua Tian adjusts his old dressage to music routine to suit Magenta
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Alex Hua Tian’s diary: looking forward to Express Eventing
Chinese event rider Alex Hua Tian is looking forward to Express Eventing at the Festival of the Horse — and disappointed by other riders’ grumbling
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Express Eventing riders unhappy about broken promises
Young riders signed up to compete in the “one-seat-sees-all” showcase for eventing are angry at a series of broken promises
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Young event riders confirmed for Express Eventing
H&H blogger Alex Hua Tian is among 19 young riders confirmed for Express Eventing at The Royal Festival of the Horse (9-11 July) this summer
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Express Eventing turns to young riders after Barbury Clash
One young horse rider will walk away as winner of Express Eventing next summer with a big enough cheque to buy a top-class horse
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Controversial Express Eventing competition will run again
Express Eventing organiser Stuart Buntine has confirmed to H&H rumours that the competition will run again next year
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Eventing world remains divided over Express Eventing
After the event in the Millennium Stadium, riders and spectators have mixed opinions
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How did our Express Eventing rider diarist Tina Cook get on?
Tina Cook kept a diary for H&H online in the build-up to Express Eventing — find out how she fared on the big day
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Oliver Townend wins £100,000 Express Eventing first prize
The £100,000 first prize went to Oliver Townend riding Flint Curtis, but the event was marred by the death of Call Again Cavalier
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Call Again Cavalier put down after Express Eventing fall
Mary King lost her Olympic partner Call Again Cavalier yesterday afternoon during the Express Eventing International Cup at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
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Tina Cook’s Express Eventing diary: the final countdown
In her final diary before this Sunday’s Express Eventing competition, Tina Cook reveals which horse she will ride and the details of her last-minute preparation
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Who will win Express Eventing's £100,000 top prize?
H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome reveals her top tips for the first Express Eventing competition this Sunday
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Lucinda Fredericks withdraws from Express Eventing International Cup
Olympic silver medallist Lucinda Fredericks has confirmed the leg injury she sustained at Pau will prevent her from competing in Cardiff this Sunday
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Express Eventing videos: riders talk about the challenge ahead
Riders talk about the challenges they are going to face at this weekend's Express Eventing competition in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
