College fair to help celebrate international riding event

Bishop Burton College, near Beverley, will welcome 300 teenage riders and their mounts on Saturday, July 31, for two days of competition in the Fdration Equestre Internationale European Pony Championships.

It is the first time the college has hosted an international equestrian event and the first time the championships have been held in England in 13 years.

To celebrate the coup it will hold the Town and Country weekend at the same time. It used to be an annual event but was suspended in 2006 when the 25m redevelopment of the campus began.

Up to 10,000 visitors are expected to visit the college over weekend as a result.

College principal Jeanette Dawson said: "Hosting the European Pony Championships was the perfect opportunity for us to reinstate the Town and Country event.

"We will have plenty of people on campus enjoying the championships, who will no doubt appreciate some extra entertainment, plus the Town and Country event will attract visitors who may not ordinarily attend an equine competition.

"There will be something for everyone and the chance for everyone to try something new should they wish to.

"We will also be able to show off our marvellous campus, which has changed so much since the last Town and Country event was held here."

The extra activities will allow people to enjoy a range of rural activities, including falconry, a quad bike challenge, a mini-zoo, dry stone walling, chainsaw sculpting and ferret racing, while there will also be a craft fair and dog agility tests and vintage machinery displays. A large retail village will also be open throughout the competition.

The college is an approved equestrian training centre for the 2012 Olympics.

To discuss trade stand or display opportunities, call Clare Garrick, the college's head of marketing, on (01964) 553053.