Best young riders to compete at Bishop Burton College
TALENT: Cross country at Bishop Burton College
By Rick Lyon
Bishop Burton College will open its doors to hundreds of talented young riders and spectators next week as it hosts the British Eventing International Youth Championships.
The riders, who are all under 18, have been selected as the best in their region to compete in a range of dressing, showjumping and cross country classes from Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7.
Catherine Sykes, Equine Event Coordinator at the college, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the International Youth Championships for the second year, especially as this year we can welcome spectators without Covid-19 restrictions.
“Our course designer, Joe Weller, has done a spectacular job at transforming our parkland ready for the event. The cross country competition on the Saturday is sure to be a highlight.
“We’re especially excited that one of our own students, Lucy Proctor-Copeland, has been chosen to represent the North!”
An opening ceremony, exclusively for riders and their families, will kickstart the competition on Wednesday, August 3. The ceremony will feature professional stunt rider Katharine Pickering, who has featured in productions such as Victoria and Wonder Woman 1984, and also performed at events such as the Horse of the Year Show and Great Yorkshire Show.
EXCITING: Stunt rider Katharine Pickering performing at Bishop Burton College
Katharine’s performance will include liberty, where the horse has no tack, classical dressage with Grand Prix rider Edward Creamer, dare devil trick riding and even some fire.
Katharine said: “I am so excited to be back at Bishop Burton. I’ve experienced so many firsts here and been involved with the displays and demonstrations. It just feels like coming back to where it all started for me.
“It’s great to be performing inside Bishop Burton College’s incredible indoor arena, which makes a huge difference to us and our horses. The facilities at are top class, and this allows us to perform at our best.”
Bishop Burton College, which offers college and university-level courses in a wide range of subjects, will also be tapping into its facilities to offer competitors and their families a variety of unique experiences. Events will include a demonstration of Bishop Burton’s equine water treadmill, an equine science experience in the specialist laboratories and a tour of the animal unit, featuring the college’s new porcupine and mongoose.
Admission to the championships is free and spectators and there will be number of trade stands throughout the event.
Sponsors of the event include Baileys Horse Feeds, NFU Mutual, Visit East Yorkshire, Bedmax Shavings and Lindum.
For more details about the Bishop Burton International Youth Championships, visit https://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/facilities-and-services/equine-centre/bishop-burton-international-youth-championships