Over 20,000 set to pack into park for hit return

CHILDREN used to hack there on their ponies in order to compete and leading riders from Yorkshire and beyond travelled to Hull’s East Park every summer to take part in the show-jumping.

That was more than 30 years ago, before the demise of Hull Show and with it the very popular equestrian events.

Last year, in a trial run, championship show-jumping returned to the park and such was the response that organisers are planning an even bigger event this August.

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“It was an extraordinary day, the response was quite overwhelming, it was like re-uniting a long lost family,” said Michael Bainbridge, a member of the organising committee.

“We went a bit low key last year, we are a new committee, and we just wanted to dip a toe in the water. We are a lot more confident this year.”

The subject of water in fact is very much on the agenda this year. The park has a long history of show-jumping and there is a purpose-built water jump, currently covered over but shortly to be disinterred if Michael has his way. “I can’t wait to dig it out.”

The enthusiastic members of British Showjumping’s Area 15a committee are busy planning additions to this year’s event, which, as last year, will be free to spectators.

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More than 10,000 people went last year and they hope to double that number.

Last year, they ran two rings, a senior and a junior. This year’s event on August 14 will see the addition of a grand ring with a two-star Elite show.

There will be an Area Trial, which should attract the attention of top riders, with a first prize of £1,000 plus international points and qualification for the King and Queen’s Cup.

There will be something for everybody, says Bainbridge, who runs the Port Royal Equestrian Centre at Holme on Spalding Moor, and classes with jumps from 70cm up to 1m 60cm.

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“It will be a showcase for British Showjumping, to show what it encompasses. We have gone two or three years with no Area Trial, so it’s very important to get that back up and running.”

Anne Fearnall, a British Showjumping judge, who is also a member of the organising committee, has been contacting leading riders inviting them to compete and says: “We hope it will be as big as Hull Show used to be. We are trying to get as much interest from busineses as possible and hope to put on some good prize money.

“Last year we had 10,000 spectators without any advertising – this year we are really going to go for it.”

Last year’s show brought back memories for many people in the Hull area as well as giving others the chance to see live show-jumping for the first time.

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“The riders loved all the attention and hearing about peoples’ memories too,” said Bainbridge.

HOW recently did you give your trailer or horsebox a safety check? As people start to look forward to the competition season ahead, the NFU is warning owners to make sure their transport is in good order.

“It’s not just our horses we might need to bring back to fitness after the long, cold winter but also the trailers and horseboxes which may have stood idly over the winter months,” said Nicola Whittaker, of the NFU Mutual.

“The harsh conditions we have had can cause tyre rubber to perish and a host of other problems.”

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