The Hartpury Festival Of Dressage Is Upon Us!

July 16, 2008 - PRLog -- Some 300 competitors are heading Gloucestershire’s way over the next five days to compete in this years Hartpury Festival of Dressage.  The event promises to be more spectacular than ever, with entries from many of the top International riders competing in the CDI***, CPEDIO3* and the National Premier League Competition.

Amongst the impressive list of CDI 3*** competitors are Team GB rider for the Beijing Olympic Games, Laura Bechtolsheimer, on her Olympic horse, Mistral Hojris;  Nicola McGivern, Hannah Biggs and local favourites, Matt Frost and Carl Hester. Wohler Van Het Geronshof, who is the son of Hartpury’s own beautiful Hannoverian Stallion, Ragazzo, will also be competing in The Small Tour with rider Mary Sharman; the pair have already been selected to join the BEF World Class Dressage Equine Pathway programme, his fantastic movement and stunning looks mirroring that of his famous sire.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has kindly sponsored this years FEI CPDI International Para Dressage Competition, which takes place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Thursday Evening also sees an exclusive Team GBR Freestyle Challenge, featuring the entire British Team heading to Hong Kong for the Paralympic Games.

The Festival’s Gala Evening, being held in Hartpury’s stunning new indoor arena complex on Saturday (19th July), is the event not to be missed, featuring the Kubota FEI CDI *** Grand Prix Music Freestyle (Big Tour),  a Master Class with Carl Hester, Stephen Clarke and Christoph Hess sponsored by Saracen Horsefeeds and some delightful entertainment provided by Jive Pony.

Up to the minute results, news and a gallery of images will feature on the Hartpury website throughout the competition at http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/dressage.

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Situated with 360 hectares of beautiful Gloucestershire countryside, Hartpury College is an outstanding provider of sports science, equine care and management, animal science, agricultural and land management courses.