Top Riders Talk Olympics at BETA International

ome of Britain’s finest riders and trainers are set to appear at BETA International, where they will take part in discussions on London 2012. Representatives from the world of show jumping, eventing, dressage and para-dressage will gather to share their own personal experiences of the Olympic Games and their hopes and aspirations for the forthcoming competitions at Greenwich Park next year.

TV equestrian sports commentator Philip Ghazala will host the talks and engage members of the audience in question-and-answer sessions with panel members. The entertaining and informative talks will take place on each of the show’s three days, 19-21 February 2012. Equestrians taking part in the discussions will include:

• Eventing’s Nicola Wilson, who won a team gold at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, in Kentucky.
• Para-dressage rider Natasha Baker, who won two individual gold medals at the Para-equestrian European Championships.
• Laura Bechtolsheimer, who is No 2 in the FEI world individual dressage rankings and represented Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics.
• Eventing queen Mary King, who has enjoyed a career spanning 30 years and has been a member of the British eventing team at five Olympics, from 1992 to 2008.
• British Eventing national coach Yogi Breisner, who has led medal-winning teams at both the Athens (2004) and Bejing (2008) Olympics.
• Jennie Loriston-Clarke, who is one of Britain’s leading dressage riders and trainers, chairperson of British Dressage and has competed in four Olympic Games, from 1972 to 1988.
• Jane Holderness-Roddam, who won a team gold for eventing in the 1968 Olympic Games, in Mexico, has ridden, judged, instructed and competed in a variety of disciplines over the years and is involved in the breeding of horses.

“We are thrilled that so many riders have given up their time to take part in these discussions,” said Claire Thomas, commercial manager of Equestrian Management Consultants (EMC), organiser of BETA International. “This is the start of an incredibly exciting time for the entire equestrian trade and what better way to celebrate the Olympics taking place here in the UK than to invite along to the show those who have personal experience of the Games?

"Some of our guests have previously competed in the Games, a few several times. At the other end of the scale, we have the younger riders whose sights are set firmly on making a début performance.

"This promises to be a fascinating feature of BETA International and I am sure all our visitors will enjoy hearing what the riders and trainers have to say.”

BETA International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Equestrian Trade Association, is the world’s leading trade fair for the equestrian, country clothing and pet products markets. It will be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 19 to 21 February. Entry is open to the trade only and free on pre-registration at www.beta-int.com.