Three-day spectacle heads for Sheffield

A welcome boost for top class showjumping in Yorkshire, the three-day event will also feature a variety of entertainment including scurry racing, a fire and light show and the fast and furious sport of horseball.

The Double Harness Scurry features pairs of ponies speeding round a twisting course; the Meddling Fire Show promises "dazzling pyrotechnics", and the horseball tournament (a sport that is a combination of rugby and basketball on horseback) will see teams from Yorkshire and Lancashire battling it out.

The event will run from April 22 to 24. For more information go to www.yorkshireinternational.co.uk.

SHIRE horse enthusiast Deb Eastwood is organising another heavy horse workshop after the success of an initial one at Ledston Equine Centre.

"We had five horses and riders from as far afield as North Yorkshire and Lancashire and although small in number, we were pleased with the attendance as it was something we'd organised in a short space of time," said Deb.

"It also meant that the instructor Sharon Peschke could devote more time to each combination of horse and rider."

The Shire Horse Society is to provide more classes for ridden Shires at its national show in March thanks to lobbying from enthusiasts such as Deb.

"These will include dressage and dressage to music, which should be quite a spectacle," said Deb.

Another Giant Steps workshop is to be held on December 12 (weather permitting) at Mill Lane Equestrian Centre near Selby.

For more information email [email protected] or [email protected].