Premier Bank Holiday action at Somerford

A mustn’t-miss event this Bank Holiday weekend is Somerford Park Premier League show in Cheshire which gets underway today and runs through to Monday afternoon (25 – 28 May 2018).

The North West venue which boasts superb facilities and atmosphere has attracted many of the UK’s best riders with leading names occupying spots across all classes, from young classes through to Grand Prix.

Olympic, World and European gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin will be in action Saturday, Sunday and Monday so whichever day you choose to visit you’ll get to see her ride. She has Florentina IV in tomorrow’s Fairfax Saddles PSG and Sunday’s Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I; River Rise Escarla in Sunday’s PSG and Monday’s Inter I; Mount St John VIP in Monday’s Equine Construction Advanced Medium and certainly one to look out for - Grand Prix newbie En Vogue in Monday’s Special.

Fresh from fabulous results in the Al Shira’aa Grand Prix and Freestyle at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato (pictured) will be the ones to beat in Sunday’s LeMieux Grand Prix. The class starts at 12.30 finishing at 16.42 and it has quite a line-up! Louise Bell and Into The Blue will start what promises to be a wonderful afternoon of dressage. Michael Eilberg has two rides – Marakov and Fuerst Sinclair, Matt Frost has the lovely AMD Don Rosso, and the on-form combinations of Steph Croxford with Mr Hyde and Isobel Wessels with Chagall are sure to feature.

Emile Faurie has an enviable arsenal of rides, some of whom he’ll be competing this weekend. His small tour rides Café’s Caletta and Quentano 2 feature Saturday and Sunday plus he rides Elena Knyaginicheva’s Sa Coeur in tomorrow’s Cavalor Inter II. Emile’s stable jockey Tom Goode also stars in the Fairfax Saddles PSG and Saracen Horse Feeds Inter I aboard Julie Bradley’s highly-rated Shilo.

One of the most exciting classes to look forward to is Sunday morning’s FEI Pony Team Test. Starting at 9.30 the competition features five of the nine long-listed riders for the Team NAF squad for the upcoming Pony European Championships. Finishing at 13.15 it will be a true showcase of pony talent.

Dressage fans can enjoy watching top class sport in stunning surroundings at Somerford Premier League as well as having a spot of retail therapy thrown in, or enjoying a bite to eat from the catering outlets or a catch-up with friends at the public bar. Gates open from 8.00, entry is charged at £10 per car or £5 per person, however, if you show your BD membership card this will allow you free access. Visitors are welcome to take their dogs to the show as long as they are kept on a lead and remain under control.

Somerford Park Premier League website: click here