Countdown to Houghton International

KINGS LYNN, U.K. - May 14, 2013 - PRLog -- With just a week before the first trot up at Houghton International, the finishing touches are being put to the cross country courses, stables are being erected and arenas strung in preparation for the 700 horses heading to Norfolk on the bank holiday weekend.

Affiliated eventing entries are up on last year, with past Olympians including William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips, Andrew Hoy, Sir Mark Todd and Blyth Tait all entering the fray.

Houghton International also hosts the British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup competition – a global team event run over seven legs in seven nations. Teams from Great Britain, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand will battle for supremacy: Germany currently top the rankings, ahead of France and Italy.

Affiliated showing and show jumping classes make their debut this year with a raft of qualifiers. Pre-entries close on 14th May but entries on the day will be taken for both disciplines.

The old Houghton favourites still feature in the programme: the popular Sema Lease Eventers Grand Prix, Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers, Pony Club and unaffiliated showjumping, and unaffiliated dressage all make for an action packed four days.

Away from the horses over 70 shops will be selling their wares – with something for everyone, from home made cakes and sweets to stunning jewellery and artwork. Media partners EQ Life are hosting an Equine Forum, interviewing well known riders, stall holders and sponsors, so there is bound to be an opportunity for autograph hunting.

For more information on any aspect to this year’s Houghton International Horse Trials, visit www.houghtoninternational.co.uk

Notes for Editors

• The first International Horse Trials was held at Houghton Hall in 2007
• The box office is now open with prices starting at £7 per adult, £4 per child. Full details on how to book, and the provisional timetable are available on www.houghtoninternational.co.uk
• Houghton Hall is located in stunning parkland, half a mile off the A148 King’s Lynn to Fakenham road, approximately 13 miles east of King’s Lynn and 10 miles west of Fakenham.
• The sport of Eventing is the ultimate test of a horse and rider and can be likened to Triathlon. There are 3 different phases to the competition, dressage, cross country and show jumping, in which each horse and rider take part. Eventing is the only Olympic sport where men and women compete on completely equal terms

Interviews and photo opportunities can be arranged.  For all further details and information on The Houghton International please contact:

Hilary Manners, MEM Ltd. 2 Gate Cottage, Field House Brancaster Kings Lynn Norfolk PE31 8AG Tel: 07973 745267 Email: hilarymanners@btinternet.com

Press passes, for those who have applied for them, will be sent out this week.