Johnny Nelson saddles up for his latest challenger

The former professional boxer was having a lesson from one of the masters of showjumping, John Whitaker, and there were plenty of people around to watch.

“I felt like a little schoolboy going into the arena but so much of what he told me was common sense, it was great, I really enjoyed it,” said Nelson afterwards. The occasion was the launch of the new Yorkshire International Showjumping Event to be held at the Sheffield Arena at Easter. The place was John Whitaker’s farm at Upper Cumberworth near Huddersfield.

Nelson has taken on the role of ambassador for the event on behalf of British Showjumping and Whitaker is also lending his support to the return of a major showjumping event to Sheffield. Nelson, who is from Sheffield, was cruiserweight world champion for over six years. He retired from the sport in 2006 and now has a programme on Sky and also commentates on boxing.

He enjoyed riding as a teenager and took it up again about 10 years ago, hacking out and following the Readyfield bloodhounds in Derbyshire.

He had been putting in a bit of extra practice ready for this week’s event and had some coaching from Selina Cawkwell from Worksop. He rode her horse, Chopin, who behaved perfectly for the occasion. John Whitaker’s horse, Catwalk, wasn’t used to cameras and a crowd watching him at home and spooked at everything in sight but still jumped beautifully. And what was Whitaker’s verdict on his new pupil’s performance? “He’s athletic and tough and the main thing is he enjoys his riding.”

The Yorkshire International Showjumping Event is not only a boost for Sheffield but for British Showjumping in general, following the demise of the British Open which ran first in Sheffield and then at the NEC in Birmingham. It has the backing of Welcome to Yorkshire, the county’s tourism agency and will have £150,000 in prize money.

“Sheffield will be a good showcase for our top riders,” said Whitaker. “We haven’t enough big, international events in this country so anything like this is good for the country, apart from being great for Yorkshire.” On a personal level, the venue couldn’t be more convenient and should ensure a good turn out by members of the Whitaker family.

Maria Clayton, head of communications at British Show jumping, said: “An international show of this calibre is pivotal for us as a sport. We desperately need top level shows. We have only got six international shows in this country and across Europe they have hundreds. As part of our performance programme we need to give as many riders as possible the chance to compete at this level.”

Classes at the three star competition will range from young rider competitions, amateur and national championships to international classes including a Puissance and International Grand Prix.

With the London Olympic Games now not so far away, many riders are considering their options and John Whitaker is not ruling himself out of contention. “I’m not getting any younger but I’m feeling good and I’m riding good. The big question is having the right horse, in top condition, at the right time.”

He will be 57 next year but says that in this sport age is not a barrier. Experience – and the right horse – is equally important. He has two potential Olympic horses, Peppermill who will be 15 and Argento, nine. And after winning team silver at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, he would love nothing more than the chance of competing for another Olympic medal.

The Yorkshire International Showjumping Event runs from April 22 to 24. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.yorkshireinternational.co.uk.

Dawson team eyes Witton Castle winners at Old Raby Hunt Club

THE Old Raby Hunt Club point-to-point is being held at Witton Castle tomorrow. The biggest field will be in the Open Maiden race which is the last of the day and has 35 entries.

The first race, due off at 12 noon, is the Old Raby Hunt Club Members Maiden Conditions race with 13 entries.

It is well supported by the Dawson team who are more than likely to have a winner.

The Intermediate race is one of 20 qualifiers throughout the UK.

The first four in each qualifying race and winners of other intermediate races qualify for the final to be held at Cheltenham’s Hunter Chase evening on May 4. Liverpool, ridden by Joanne Mason, could well be in with a chance.

Tune in to the BBC’s Countryfile programme next Sunday (February 13) and find out more about the sport of TREC. British team rider Kathryn Bean (featured on this page recently) will be showing presenter Jules Hudson just what is involved in orienteering on horseback.

The Countryfile team spent a day filming Kathryn and Jules, who rode a route around Escrick Park near York.

Yorkshire Sport Horse is holding its annual silent auction of graded stallion nominations. The closing date for bids is March 18 when those submitting the highest bids will win a nomination to the stallion of their choice.

The stallions are: Jazz Time 11 (Miss K. Hurrion); Mourne Mountains (Stanley Grange Stud); Revolution (Lucinda and Beryl Broad); Mill Law (Mrs S. Browne and Mrs N. Baguley); Primitive Faerie Tale (Mrs J. Lawson) and Roma Diamond Skip (Mrs J.Manning).

More information about how to take part in the auction is available from Hazel Bramley, 01904 744295.