The Official Press Launch for The Bolesworth Show Jumping Classic takes place on 24th March and invitations to all those concerned will go out next week.

Guests are invited to drinks and Buffet  from 12.30 - 2.30 pm. This is a very good opportunity for sponsors and organisers to get together and we are pleased to announce that the major sponsors so far are as follows.

Aquashield will be sponsoring the Grand Prix for the second year.  H J Lea Oakes will sponsor the Small Grand Prix. Cairn Design and Build are new sponsors of the Six Bar competition and Global Air Training are sponsoring the Newcomers on Sunday.

Kate Nicholas from Norbury and her dancing border collie Gin who found fame in Britain's Got Talent will be at our launch and will also be performing at the Show.  

The two achieved fame in the 2008 ITV 1 Talent Show, Britain's Got Talent.  They initially achieved three Yes's from the judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan and were through to the semi finals. Another brilliant performance saw them through to the final and Simon Cowell described the duo as the favourites to win. They did not finish in the top three but since then they have received many offers to perform at events and on TV. They took part in the Britain's Got Talent Live Tour peforming a routine to the Scissors Sisters, ' I Don't  Feel Like Dancing'.

Kate and Gin have also performed in pantomimes and  published a book called Kate and Gin which focuses on dog training.  In fact the book is a sort of doggy dance manual with full step by  step instructions of how dogs can  be taught many different tricks similar to those that Gin has learnt.

The Dog Show at Bolesworth is very popular and dogs and their owners visiting the Show could be inspired to try out some of Kate and Gin's routines having watched the duo perform.

The weather stayed fine and the sun came out in the afternoon as The Bolesworth Classic Pre Event Dressage competition took place at Somerford Park today.

This was a perfect opportunity for many eventers to have a dressage outing without the distraction of  jumping.  

We provided food and drink for all who were helping and also our sponsors.  We had lots of praise for the delicious butternut squash and red pepper soup and homemade sandwiches with many different fillings followed by homemade cakes, tea and coffee. Alison was very busy throughout the day and she was able to multi task which included dispensing food and drink to guests, dressage judges, writers, sponsors and owners as well as adding up the dressage scores!

Nina was competing as well as running the day with  Alison and Alan Beaumont and the wooden hut adjacent to the dressage arenas where they were based was a hive of activity. Nina was so busy that at one stage she was hastily learning her dressage test minutes before she was due to go in. All was well and she remembered her test and was not penalised for losing her way.

Oliver Townend had many horses at the Show including his new ride Henry and Edna Hardings Ashdale Cruise Master.  There are very exciting plans in the pipeline for Ashdale Cruise Master this year and Henry and Edna (who were there to watch) are looking forward to seeing  their horse compete overseas rather than at Badminton.  It is very much a case of fingers crossed at this stage as we all know that with horses, things can go seriously wrong. Oliver has won both the previous tests that he has recently done on this lovely grey horse and was competing him in two classes including the CIC3 which uses the full size arena.

The Hardings  have a large string of young eventers and show jumpers based at  their home near Whitchurch.  Some of these were also competing in the dressage classes and they were ridden by Laura Johnson who lives close to their yard. Laura had also brought some of her own horses to the show and her Mum Helen was very busy preparing these for Laura to ride. Henry and Edna also have show jumpers with Ellen Whitaker and their stallion CS Online has been doing particularly well of late.

The Hardings are valued sponsors at our Show through their company Colour Supplies. They have also been winners at the Show with Ashdale Futuro ridden by Ellen Whitaker winning the Six Bar in 2008.

Laura as well as some of the other competitors took the opportunity of taking their horses cross country schooling after they had competed.  Somerford Park has excellent schooling facilities and they always have good ground when elsewhere is a bog!

Alan wanted me to mention that The Champions Tour video is now ready to be dispatched  to all those who have placed orders within the next few days.  There has been a good response and if you have not bought one, there are still some left.   

The Bolesworth Classic Pre-Event Dressage competition takes place at Somerford Park Farm this Wednesday. Nina arrives home from Spain today where she has been competing  two horses on the Spanish Sunshine Tour. Pouring rain made conditions at Dehesa Montemedio difficult on this first weekend of the Tour.

 Dressage times will be put up on this site today at 5.00 pm. so please go to our special Dressage page if you have entered  any of the four classes. Times will also be available between 5 - 7 p.m. by calling Nina on 07789372499.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to the following sponsors:

Forden Farriers led by Jim Blurton World Champion Farrier in 2005. No foot, no horse - so please call Forden Farriers for their expertise - 01938 580222.

HorseyHotties run by eventer Ginny Rose is a fun online dating website for equestrian and rural party people.  Read Ginny's hilarious blog  and join up by visiting www.HorseyHotties.com.

Rachel Greetham of www.equineandcaninesolutions.co.uk is an animal physiotherapist. Horses are amazing athletes but like humans can tweak or strain muscles during their work and then require physiotherapy. Rachel is the equine physiotherapist for the FEI British Pony Event Team  Please visit Rachel's website or call her on 07971018474.

 Andrew Heffernan is the resident trainer at Somerford Park Farm and available for private lessons and clinics. Andrew is well known as a specialist for event horses in competition and also has horses for sale. Andrew has been competing at International level for a number of years. He was shortlisted for the World Three Day Event Championships in 1998 and has won and been placed in all classes from novice to advanced. To find out more visit www.topeventers.co.uk.

Townend - the choice of Champions and a message from Oliver - 'We work hard for the life and things we desire. Here you will see my new range of clothing equipment and leather goods that work for me. They are all designed to improve your performance whilst appealing to your sense of quality and practicality. 

Olivers new e-commerce website is under construction but please visit the holding page to give you a taste  of what is coming - www.townendonline.com.

Please support all our Sponsors and good luck to all those that are competing.

If you would like to come along and watch Somerford Park is situated on the A54 approximately half way between Holmes Chapel and Congleton.  Refreshments are available.

When Diana Barbour and Nina hosted the launch party for The Champions Tour in September 2009, Nina was wearing a pair of shoes designed by her younger sister Cleo.

Cleo's first collection has been very well received and highlights from the autumn of last year included a poster in the Gloucester Road Underground Station.

Cleo teamed up with Art Below to create a poster for their exhibition which ran for a week and a half. The poster featured the Autumn Winter Paradise wedges and this was the key shoe of Cleo's debut collection. This shoe was available to buy from the Dover Street Market or online at www.the-stylestore.com.

www.the-stylestore.com was launched in October 2009. The online shop offers a handful of specially selected brands that are as yet to be stocked or hard to find in the UK. They stocked four CLEO B styles including the beautiful electric blue Flowerpecker exclusively to London.

In Cleo's words The Style Store offers a neat and expertly put together selection of fashionable stuff that you just cannot find anywhere - which is all in one room in Chelsea.

In November Cleo attended the annual Footwear Friends Designer Awards  party and this charity provides financial assistance to those who have worked in the Shoe Trade and fallen on hard times. Footwear Friends are the only charity solely dedicated to the support of those who have served the footwear industry, whether in manufacture, distribution, retail or repair. 

Cleo's website www.cleob.com is currently undergoing an update and when this is completed you will be able to view and buy her new Spring Summer 2010 collection.  

After the success of her debut collection this new collection is being very eagerly awaited by the fans of CleoB shoes including those who saw the tremendous Tribecca booties at London Fashion Week.  

DVDs of The Champions Tour are now available to buy from their website. Perfect for those wishing to have a lasting memento of their evening and an excellent present for those who never managed to get to any of the venues for one reason or another.

Nina has now turned her attention to competing two horses on The Spanish Sunshine Tour. Nina took one to Q Sport Horses to be taken in Simon Shaw's lorry and this particular convoy left at 1.00 pm. today.

She is jumping a seven year old mare called Beca who was bred in Spain about a mile from the show ground! Beca is a Novice event mare by Ramon Beca and is full sister to Andrew Nicholson's top event horses Nereo and Armada. Beca is a very careful jumper but she is still green and so she can get a bit too high over her fences. Nina is hoping that this whole experience will give her confidence and that her jump will settle down as a result.

Dieta de la Bouverie by Don Juan la Bouverie is a nine year old Grade C chestnut mare who could do well in the Small Tour classes as she is fast. Both the horses that Nina is riding will compete in the Small Tour which takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week.  This is perfect for those who wish to commute from the UK which Nina is planning to do for the first part of the Tour. If all goes well and her busy schedule permits, Nina will aim to stay at the Show for the final two weeks.

Meanwhile back at Bolesworth progress is being made on the Eventers cross country course. Andrew Hunter is our course builder and Nigel Taylor is the course designer. As this is the first year of our Eventers Grand Prix many of the fences will be portable.  The lake crossing is planned for 2011 and until that is completed permanent fences will be kept to a minimum.

There will be a prize fund of £6,000 for the Eventers Grand Prix and the entries are by invitation only. 

Geoff Billington has enjoyed a long and successful show jumping career but freely admits that he was amazed at the rapid change in his horses appearance and performance since changing to Falcon Equine Feeds and he is understandably delighted.

Falcon Feeds are sponsoring The Champions Tour and this also means that Geoff's horses will have a constant supply of their chosen food.

Company Director Paul Ainsworth was brought up with horses, helping run the family riding school and competing on the national circuit before injury curtailed his career. He had achieved many great results including 1st Everest Double Glazing Young Riders Champion ship in 1987 at Hickstead and 1st Young Riders Championship of Great Britain at Hickstead in 1987 as well.

The injury forced Paul to make a career change and for 10 years he ran an Agricultural Contracting Company giving him vast knowledge of crops and ingredients. This then led to the start of Falcon Feeds with the desire to bring the best nutrition possible to the equine world. Paul has researched for 5 years and worked with a top independent nutritionist to design specific quality designed diets for all equines. Other specific research has been aimed at reducing  and preventing skeletal and tendon injuries due to everyday wear and tear and sporting strains which has resulted in the launch of EquiElements who are also sponsoring the Tour.

Falcon Feeds have a product range of Mixes, Nuts & Cubes, Fibres, Supplements and Balancers.  They are renowned for unbeatable freshness and best quality natural ingredients.  Their specialist mixes and nuts are nutritionally balanced to keep horses of all disciplines fit and healthy.  Their unique quality fibres provide the horse with fibre needed for a naturally healthy digestive system.  There are products to accommodate all disciplines from pleasure to international sports horses. Their range is successfully used by leading riders, trainers and breeders worldwide.

Showjumpers Ben Maher, Robert Smith, Shane Breen and of course Geoff Billington all use Falcon Feeds and they are the official suppliers to Hickstead.

Ben Maher endorses Geoff's comments by stating that 'since changing all my horses onto the Falcon range, I have seen a marked improvement in all their minds, coats and muscle development'. 

Nina reports that The Champions Tour is going very well with at least 1000 people through the doors at Towerlands. The Tour DVD was being filmed that night and it was great that so many turned up to watch and see the filming taking place.

There have been one or two changes to the horses on this Tour. Geoff has brought along Pedro which is one of his very top horses. Pedro did not feature in the pre Christmas Tour but many of you will have seen him finish second in one of the big classes at Olympia. 

Oliver has brought along Golden Hue who is one of his Badminton hopefuls and he did not feature on the first tour either.

Ticket sales are going well, but time is running out as there are only three more venues left, so if you are thinking of joining us please BOOK Now!  

The Champions Tour kicks off again on Sunday at Towerlands Equestrian Centre in Essex followed by Arena UK in LIncolnshire on Monday, Solihull in the Midlands on Tuesday, Hartpury in Gloucestershire on Wednesday, Pencoed in Wales on Thursday, The Grange Equestrian Centre in Devon on Friday and then Wellington Riding Centre in Hampshire on Saturday.

The logistics involved in getting round the Southern part of the UK will be challenging and we are all hoping that the weather stays fine! The long range forecast seems to be OK and let us hope they are correct.

Ticket Sales are going well and we are very much looking forward to seeing you all at these venues.  Our sponsors will be there with their stalls and we will do all we can to make sure you enjoy this Fun night out!

Plenty of late nights coming up as the performance ends at 10.45 pm. each night and then the clearing up takes place before we move on to the next  venue.

Please arrive in plenty of time and then you can have a good look at the stalls before you take your seats.

Tottie goes from strength to strength and Mix and Match are the keywords, with a range of tops and legwear in bright colours and designs.

The Tottie girl is fun, fashionable and bubbly with clothes to match. For the younger fashion conscious, Tottie Junior caters for girls from the ages of 4 upwards.

The Tottie stand proved to be very popular on The Champions Tour with the Gleneagles audience spending just a little bit more than the SouthView crowd. Brian who is the retail manager of Tottie found the Tour enjoyable, with a huge camaraderie amongst all the sponsors and behind the scenes organisers.. Many moved from venue to venue in a convoy of lorries 4 x 4's and trailers, with everybody helping each other if needed.

There is no doubt that setting up a stand and then dismantling it and moving on to the next venue is very hard work and so a good sense of humour is important. The 'learning with laughter' theme of The Champions Tour was carried through by  the sponsors and the very happy atmosphere felt by the audience was created by all those taking part.

Tottie  attend many of the important equestrian events up and down the country and Brian was very busy at Olympia just before Christmas. He is on the road for much of 2010 and for those who live in the North West there will be a Tottie stand at The Cheshire Show in June prior to Brian being here at Bolesworth in July.

Tottie have close links with show jumping and eventing and Team Tottie consists of five, fun fashionable and bubbly girls who wear and promote this highly desirable brand.

Georgie Spence is the first teenager for over a decade to complete Badminton and Burghley with a clear cross country. 

Portia Howard has won a Young Show Jumper of the Year title at Olympia.

Philippa Dobby has represented Great Britain in an under 18 team.

Jemma Kirk  has been selected for an Accenture Junior International Showjumping Squad and Eve Staveley's top horse is being monitored by Equine Pathway for 2012.

Tottie is available in 200 retail outlets Nationwide and you can find a stockist in your area by visiting their website. Alternatively come along to the Southern venues of The Champions Tour and you will be able to try and buy on the night. Tottie clothes are suitable for all ages and all sizes and especially designed for girls who want to have fun!

Cyclo-ssage uses a non invasive massaging action known as Cycloidal Massage.

This Cycloidal massage offers a multi-directional, non percussive action which increases blood and lymphatic circulation by stimulating deep muscle activity.

In turn this will ease muscle spasm and pain associated with the secondary symptoms of many arthritis and joint mobility problems, as well as helping to promote healing after injury and speed up recovery after strenuous exercise.

Cyclo-ssage Systems ensure this Cycloidal massage is accessible in easy-to-use products - therefore encouraging the maintenance of fitness levels and accelerated healing time in both animals and humans alike.

On top of this the Pro Personal and Pro Canine systems also incorporate infra red heat zones which will further help to stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation using this safe and deep penetrating radiant heat.

These unique quality built systems are manufactured to the highest standards for Cyclo-ssage in Germany and are exclusive worldwide to Cyclo-ssage.

The Cyclo-ssage Pro Equine System has already established a high recognition in the equine market, with many top riders choosing to use the system - and reaping the benefits.

The system is very light and easy to use which means that it can be taken to competitions as well as being used at home. International dressage rider Richard Davison, International Show Jumper Tim Stockdale and International event rider Polly Stockton all use the Cyclo-ssage Pro Equine System. Along with Racehorse trainer Donald McCain and Vet Tony Warr their positive comments are very similar. 

All find the therapy system simple to use and ideal for warming up horses before riding especially at competitions or after traveling. Horses relax when using the rugs and for those that are stiff from hard work or have specific medical and locomotory problems such as back pain, the benefits from the Cyclo-ssage System are very noticeable indeed.

Without a doubt the system is an important part of their management routine both at home and when they are away competing and none would wish to be without it now!

Sean Hamilton of Cyclo-ssage was busy giving out information and leaflets at the Pre-Christmas Champions Tour venues and for all those who have not seen the Pro Personal, Pro Canine or Pro Equine systems before, please take time to visit the stand either before the performance or during the interval on the Southern stage of the Tour.

Classic Showjumps are a family run business that prides itself on personal service, customer satisfaction and good quality product.

Their goal is outstanding customer service and they aim to hold their ranges of moulded polymer products in stock with the intention of being able to supply all orders within seven days of payment being cleared.

Classic Showjumps have the Pro-Jump range of wings, blocks and poles. The Pro-Jump Cross Country made from 100% recycled plastic and the Safety System - the Modern Concept  which is lightweight, versatile, safe and maintenance free.  Different jumps for every occasion and every preference.

The poles come in varying sizes and weights. Children tend to prefer the lighter poles, but the professional either wants a plastic pole filled with wood or the traditional wooden pole.  At Classic Showjumps all are available - a one stop shop for both eventing and show jumping.

I caught up with Diane to hear that Graham her husband was in Ireland delivering a large order gained through the Irish leg of The Champions Tour at Kill and Cavan.

This is excellent news and their feedback from the Tour has been very good. Classic Showjumps also sell to the Trade and invited these customers to come and visit them during the Champions Tour. This gave Graham and Diane an opportunity to show them the latest products. Both Countrywide and Wynnstay buy from Classic Showjumps and this gives you a further example of the strength in depth that this business can cater for.

Classic Showjumps sponsor Oliver, Tina Cook, Polly Jackson and Niall Griffin and yet their jumps can also be used by the smallest child on the smallest pony. Our Champions Tour audience were able to see the jumps in use during the learning with laughter demonstrations. The ease with which Geoff Billington and Oliver Townend were able to move them about was very impressive and yet the fences and poles are strong, durable and the right weight. The weight of jumping poles, fillers and uprights is vital when training horses, as they must learn that the fences are not their to be knocked down. If fences are flimsy, horses and ponies learn that it is easier to be careless than make a proper jumping effort.

Our audience on The Champions Tour has a large age range and Classic Showjumps complimented this perfectly.  They have something for everyone and if you are too old to jump you can buy one of their mounting blocks to help you to climb on board instead! 

Oliver is delighted to be sponsored by Classic Showjumps and the versality of their products is perfect for teaching, training and competing.

A Devoucoux saddle is a fine combination of elegance, harmony and comfort and the Biarritz which  was their first ever saddle remains an inspiration to saddle making all over the world.

Pierre Jean Cann is one of Devoucoux's technical sales advisers and is based in the South of England. The main company is in France but is very well represented in the UK and Ireland and Pierre Jean and his colleagues are representing Devoucoux at The Champions Tour venues.  

Devoucoux make saddles for jumping, three day eventing, dressage, pony, trekking endurance and hunter. In addition they have nine different types of boots for horses as well as a bespoke range of stud girths, stirrups, stirrup leathers, and breastplates with attachments.

The show jumping Kolibre breastplate  has been specially designed for jumping specialists. This accessory is the only one of its kind on the market, it guarantees stability during cross country and allows the horse great freedom to move its shoulders. It includes 5 attachment and adjustment points for an impeccable fit for all types of horse and is a must have item for every rider.

The Devoucoux range of saddlery is made from excellent quality French leather.  The saddles are all built to last and perfect for frequent use when many other saddles just fall to pieces because they are not strong enough. It is rare to find top quality equipment that is just as much intended for everyday use as for competitions.

Great Britain is well represented by sponsored Devoucuox riders and Oliver, Nicola Wilson and Piggy French all flew the flag for their country and Devoucoux at the recent European Three Day Event Championships.  Oliver and Nicola were in the winning gold medal team and Piggy rode as an individual to claim silver.

Nick Skelton and Ellen Whitaker are two of our top show jumpers who represent Devoucoux . Ellen has had a fantastic year and won the Puissance, Speed Horse of the Year and the one that really matters the Leading Show Jumper of the Year at HOYS. If that was not enough Nick Skelton finished third in the latter having been a four times previous winner of this class.  

The top riders use Devoucoux and when you join us on the second part of The Champions Tour in January you will also have an opportunity to view all the Devoucoux products at each and every venue.

Dodson & Horrell who sponsor Oliver Townend were very much part of the sponsorship behind The Champions Tour.

The company was founded in 1939 and is Europe's leading horse feed manufacturer, producing a range of horse feeds to cater for all needs. They also produce the Chudleys dog and pet food range as well as the Dodson & Horrell Countryside range.

Deciding what to feed your horse is a complicated matter. Not only do you have to take into account current condition, weight, temperament, workload and management but you then have to choose from the numerous products on the market. The Dodson & Horrell range of horse feeds, supplements and herbal products have been developed to help make this decision a little easier by formulating products for all feeding situations.

A visit to their website will give you an in depth study of all the products that are available. For example, the horse range has eleven category headings - Balancer, Breeding, Forage, Herbs and Supplements, Leisure, Competition, Racing, Tailor Made, Treats Veteran, Weight and Condition. Choose a heading and then you will find the different types of feed relevant to it.

Each product has a short description and nutrient analysis and for even more help and advice you can contact the Nutritional Helpline team by phone or email.

There has recently been a lot of editorial concerning obese horses and Dodson & Horrell have a section on ‘weight loss and gain' which gives you the opportunity to download a Fat scoring card in a PDF format. This is widely recognised as an effective way of determining your horse's weight in conjunction with the Dodson & Horrell weigh tape in the absence of a horse weigh bridge. You can also download a ‘managing condition leaflet' and many horse and pony owners will find all of these extremely useful.

Dodson & Horrell sponsors riders from eventing, carriage driving, show jumping and dressage and this diverse range of equestrian activities further demonstrates the strength in depth of their huge range of feeding products.

Oliver was able to promote Dodson & Horrell whilst giving his lecture demonstrations and good feedback was received. Neo du Brueil arrived with Oliver needing to put on condition and spectators were able to see the improvement in this lovely horse at first hand. A perfect example of the benefits of Dodson & Horrell feeding.

HorseFirst are the Irish Supplement Manufacturer that puts your Horse First.

It is fantastic to have them as one of our sponsors of The Champions Tour and their products generated a huge amount of interest. So much so that at SouthView, Paddy did not have many leaflets to hand out  - he started off with 5000 and all but a few were left, such was the demand at the six previous venues!

HorseFirst was founded in 2004 by Paddy Hughes a well known and respected horse producer in the show jumping and eventing spheres who has sent horses all over the world.  Having tried and tested a huge variety of equine dietary supplements during his thirty years in the horse business, Paddy Hughes felt that the products that were available were disappointing and left a lot to be desired.

Over the following three years, with Paddy's equestrian knowledge and the expertise of the best chemist and equine related nutritionist that he could find, HorseFirst was formed. Paddy formed a team and they spent their time researching, formulating and testing a new range of equine supplements on Paddy's own horses. After testing many different formulations to get the best results possible, Paddy was then happy and confident to bring HorseFirst to the market place. Paddy already knew many well known people throughout the equestrian world through his years in the horse business: he went to the top riders in the world and asked them to try the HorseFirst range on their own horses.  After many months of trials and feedback, the results were overwhelming!

Geoff Billington uses HorseFirst products and so does, Michael Whitaker, Tim Gredley, Ludger Beerbaum, Jessica Kurten, Laura Kraut and William Fox Pitt and they are all deligthed with the HorseFirst products that they have tried. Like Paddy Hughes they had tried most of what was already on the market, showing little results when tested - but with the HorseFirst range, they saw real results.

The products worked and gave these world renowned equestrians what they needed to win!

Paddy's aim from the start was to use only the highest quality ingredients available and to offer the horse owner a range of products with the highest levels of active-ingredient inclusion of any supplements on the market. HorseFirst is now known as the supplement range that works.

Made by horse people for horse people.

Following the performance at SouthView, Paddy who was manning the stall, was due to catch the 2.00 a.m. ferry back to Ireland. The performance ended at 11.00 pm. and I do hope he managed to get to the ferry terminal in time. He will need to bring a further supply of leaflets for the Southern Tour starting in January and judging by the huge response that he has already received - he could need more than 5000! 

The Pre Christmas Champions Tour with Geoff and Oliver has been a resounding success.

The tour ended at SouthView on Saturday evening and the indoor arena was filled with laughter throughout  Geoff and Olivers lecture demonstration. They produced exactly what they said they would and that was to let their audience learn with laughter. Suddenly schooling was FUN and they both made it look easy, uncomplicated and achievable. 

The wit and humour was constant and Geoff's self depreciation was infectious. Classic remarks included  - David Beckham has asthma, Geoff Billington has had asthma all his life and this little man (pointing to himself) has gasped his way round the world jumping awesome fences without so much as a mention in the PRESS!   

This banter went on for  the duration and with Oliver joining in and egging him on, we laughed and laughed.  There were many children in the audience and they loved watching Geoff jumping fences holding a glass of beer without spilling a drop and then challenging Oliver to do the same. Oliver had to pick up his glass from the top of a wing whilst in mid air over a 1.20m fence. Did he achieve this feat - well come to one of the Southern venues after Christmas to find out!

The serous side was the consummate skill of both riders. Olivers flat work demonstration and show jumping skills confirmed his status as a world class event rider.  Geoff's flat working skills with huge emphasis on his position to help get his horses into the air was fascinating and the common denominator with everything they did and have subsequently achieved came down to one word - RHYTHM. 

The tour got off to a sticky start with bad weather in the Irish Sea delaying their departure. Hold ups were also encountered on the journey back to Scotland but luckily the schedule had a contingency plan so every performance opened on  time.

The Champions Tour has fantastic sponsors and all our looking forward to the After Christmas part which is taking place at the end of January. There has been very positive feedback on many on-line forums and the Horse and Hound forum has  been particularly good with only one complaint from a lady who said the lecture was not technical enough!  Hello, I think she has missed the point here and many forum readers quickly put her right!

News from Nina that The Champions Tour have just completed the first two shows in Ireland.  They were at Kill and Cavan and both sold at least 100 last minute tickets at the gate.

Thanks to the long hours of practice put in by the whole team, everything went to plan and the whole show looked great, with a really good crowd on both nights. 

Nina and Oliver called in at Cavan Horse Sales on Thursday and had a bit of a buying  spree. Prices were very good and so they came away with a  foal and three yearlings - one or all could even be Badminton and Burghley winners of the future.

The whole team are now getting organised for this weeks tour which starts off at Gleneagles tomorrow. Hopefully the horses will cross over to Scotland from Ireland today - they are waiting in Larne as it was too rough to cross over yesterday.

Nina's yard is always busy at this time of year and Charlie and Sasha Aldersey who keep their eventers at her yard were both out hunting on Saturday. Charlie's eventer has retired to the hunting field and Sasha's is a young horse needing hunting experience. 

Nina, Oliver Townend, Geoff Billington  his partner Sarah and Alan Beaumont met at Adrian Marsh's Heathcroft Stud  for the final UK practice for The Champions Tour which kicks off in Ireland on Friday.

Oliver and Geoff started off the evening by practicing the opening part of the Show which involves spotlights and pitch darkness.  Oliver will be riding Neo Du Breuil who featured on the front cover of last weeks Horse and Hound. This eight year old grey gelding is owned by Olivers business partner Andrew Cawthray who also owns Burghley winner Carousel Quest.

Neo Du Breuil was fascinated by the big screen and Oliver sat patiently whilst this lovely horse took it all in and was totally absorbed! Please click on the video.  Meanwhile Geoff was concentrating on his first ride  - Balloon a six year old chestnut gelding by Baloube.  Balloon has to jump in the spotlight and Geoff spent a long time making sure that this talented horse new exactly what he had to do and  was confident. Every variation of spot lighting was used and Geoff jumped the fence many times before he was happy with the lighting and the way in which his horse was coping with this unusual task.  Oliver with his equally critical eye was able to make valuable comments along the way  and the end result was brilliant. - Book your tickets NOW!

Olivers grooms Katherine and Jess were on hand to help throughout the evening and both are going to Ireland.  The rain was pouring down outside - thank goodness for indoor schools - as they brought Gorsehill Star into the arena. He is a six year old former show jumper bought in Ireland who will  go eventing next season and this Tour will be part of his education.. 

Geoff's second ride, Croft Intouch - a seven year old mare home bred by Adrian Marsh. She is by Lux out of his top class Grade A mare, Feodora and is certainly  bred for the job. Both these horses loved the big screen and behaved exceedingly well.

Last but not least the Grade A, Uppercut by Nairobi owned by Geoff's longstanding owner Patricia Fraser  came into the school for his practice session. Uppercut has jumped in Calgary (Canada) this year and so a trip across the Irish Sea will not faze him.  He was joined by Handsdown a seven year old by Master Imp, owned by Andrew Cawthray and a winner of his first Intermediate event.  At this point  Oliver and Geoff could not resist swapping horses and a lot of light hearted banter and comments passed between them!

With the hard part of the practice successfully completed, everybody tucked in to a delicious lamb hotpot  organised by Adrian, using a recipe provided by his Mum, who had popped in earlier to watch.  A Perfect choice as it can be cold when standing around in an indoor school.  

The plan is for Nina and Oliver to catch the boat leaving at 2.00 a.m tonight and head for Cavan. The aim is twofold, firstly to promote the tour  and secondly to attend the young stock Sale at Cavan being held tomorrow.

They recently purchased  a three year old colt with Cruising/Sky Boy breeding from Cavan and will be using this young horse to cover the mares they own in partnership. This Sale provides an opportunity to add to their joint enterprise.

Dodson and Horell and Falcon Feeds who sponsor Oliver and Geoff respectively, are closely involved with  the Tour and the six horses (three for each rider) will be fed by both feed companies, whilst they are away. 

The sponsors are vital to the Tour and I will be writing about each and every one during the next two months.

Please save this page  as a favorite so that you can keep in touch with what is going on.

Oliver is featured on page 24 of this week Horse and Hound and on page 27 there is The Champions Tour advert. This advert points Horse and Hound readers to the website so they can go online and purchase their tickets. In addition you will be able to buy tickets at the door of each and every venue. We will be putting a notice to this effect on the website next week but by reading this blog you have the latest information.

We would prefer you to buy online but appreciate that many will be undecided until the last minute or may need extra tickets and so buying at the door will solve this problem.  We do not want to turn anybody away and you must all be patient if there is a last minute rush to get in, which then causes a few delays!

The merchandise on The Champions Tour website now has some extra items and these include the Point Two air jacket that Oliver uses.

The Point Two air jackets are the only fully CE certified air jackets available and are also the fastest air bag jacket in the world. The jacket reaches full inflation in 0.1 seconds offering fantastic protection to the collar of the neck, spine, coccyx and rib cage.
When you order your Point Two ‘Pro-Air’ air jacket you will receive: The Air Jacket, 1x Air Canister, 1x Bungee Lanyard, 1x Nylon Stirrup Straps (pair), 1x Allen Key, and Manual

“Point Two have revolutionised safety for the eventing world. I combine my Point Two air jacket with my BETA approved body protector for the ultimate in safety for competition & riding at home” - Oliver Townend

The countdown for The Champions Tour has begun. Ticket Sales for all the venues are gathering speed and for all those intending to go, please book early to avoid disappointment. 

The tour starts in Ireland in two weeks time and the website is currently receiving 30 to 40 inquiries a day. Geoff and Oliver's obvious rapport will ensure the series of lecture demos across the country are guaranteed to deliver an evening to remember.

Group Bookings are proving very popular. If you can organise a group of 10, then your ticket will be FREE. OK you have the hassle of organising your party, but surely Geoff and Oliver are worth it?

So far we have had two rehearsals at South View Indoor Arena courtesy of Charles Britton and Linda Wright. We needed to practice our music and lighting and this is coming together nicely.  Saying that, we have booked two more practices courtesy of Adrian Marsh.  We are using his indoor school and hopefully we will then be up and running.  The learning with laughter has already begun as we are trying to get to grips with the spotlights and we are not up to speed as yet!

For all those who are hoping to attend Your Horse Live on 14th and 15th November, please visit The Champions Tour trade stand.  You will be able to buy tickets for the Shows at the stand and you will also be able to buy merchandise connected with the Tour.

This merchandise can also be purchased online via the website and please keep visiting the site as we will be adding to the range over the coming weeks.

Graham and Louise Davies have sponsored with us since the Show began two years ago.

This year they launched a brand new product on the last day of the Show namely their  Puncture Proof Tyres.  These can be bought separately or with a brand new wheelbarrow, agricultural/mash barrow or sack truck.

Louise and their son Hugh positioned themselves outside our Members tent and very quickly a crowd of riders had gathered. Matthew Sampson and Thomas Whitaker were both keen to alert their parents and have subsequently bought as they have many wheelbarrows in their yards with punctures!  Matthew's Dad thought that Garden Centres should be alerted and all these leads are being followed up.   

The joy of this wheel is that it cannot  puncture and so once you have invested in one, the only thing that will wear out is the barrow itself.  The wheel can then be transferred to a new barrow or kept until the new barrow has its first puncture and then it can be swopped over. These tyres have all benefits f their pneumatic equivalent but give a much better ride. The closest thing to an inflated tyre in terms of quality.

The response from the show has been overwhelming, flyers were put on all the horseboxes and the telephone has been ringing ever since.  Graham has now had a website built and is receiving  inquiries and making sales every day. 

Graham and Louise gave a wheelbarrow to Dave Quigley after he had won the class that they sponsored and he was understandably delighted. There is a range of sizes available and tyres for a sack truck and agricultural/mash barrow have recently been added.

Puncture Proof & Puncture resistant tyres are ideal for Garden Wheel barrows, Equestrian Yard Barrows, Agricultural/Municipal, Local Authority Schools and Golf Courses.  

Graham and Louise are keen to carry on sponsoring with us next year and are already making plans.  Ideas include having the barrows and tyres copied in a suitable material, so that they can be made into a  show jump filler.  Another idea is to have a display of  the different types of wheelbarrows and tyres in the ring for the duration of the class they sponsor.

Please visit their website and whilst there please click on the short video.  This is very amusing and gives you a visual demonstration of why you should be buying this product.

We are thrilled that this product was launched at The Bolesworth Show Jumping Classic and will keep you in touch with all their news.

Oliver Townend and Geoff Billington are full steam ahead preparing for the start of The Champions Tour.

Please click on this link, it is a little taster of what you can expect from Geoff and Oliver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y1IAOQhH2g
 
Tour tickets and further information is available from www.thechampionstour.co.uk.
 
It's going to be a great night out and a performance like nothing that has previously been seen!
 
Tickets are limited and selling like hot cakes so don't miss out!  Please go to the Tour website and find a venue close to you and bring a party of family and friends.

Come and join the fun and learn with laughter with Geoff and Oliver.

Nina is competing in the CIC2* in Pau this weekend.  The veterinary inspection is at 5.00 pm. this afternoon and Nina is riding Balladeer Kursalite. If you would like to follow this event in detail please visit www.event-pau.fr and there is an English translation available on this site.

The Champions Tour have unanimously nominated The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund as the charity that will benefit from fund raising throughout the tour.

Although the Fund is often seen as the event riders charity it does in fact  support all people who have suffered from an accident around horses and where other relief is inadequate or unobtainable and they have nowhere else to turn. They help those from all walks of life, irrespective of whether the accident has happened on horses, or around horses, either at home or at a riding event.

This means that anyone who is suffering or has suffered from a horse related accident could qualify for assistance to improve or maintain their quality of life.  They acknowledge that often such accidents not only impact on the victim but also on their families and friends lives also and in these cases their support can often be diverted to those who become carers.

Geoff and Oliver are proud to support such a worthy charity that does such a cracking job and most of us have been touched by the great work this charity does and the people they help in their moment of need.

The Charity launched its Poundcatcher Fund raising campaign at this years Burghley Horse Trials. Please give generously and help spread the word.

Tommy Deans of Aquashield (our Grand Prix sponsor)  is a very keen show jumping owner and has five show jumpers currently competing. Three are ridden by Roger McCrea and two by his daughter Steffani who has very kindly sent in these photos.

 Steffani competed both these horses at Bolesworth and the grey is called Lanzelot. He used to be ridden by International show jumper, Geoff Billington and in his prime he competed in the Queens Cup and The Hickstead Derby. He also partook in two Puissance's in Belfast and reached a height of 2.03 m.

Although Lanzelot is now 16 years old he still loves his jumping and  Steffani has been jumping him in Young Riders classes and in Area Trials. Her other ride is a bay 8 year old called Hallmark Carnival bred by Mark and Holly McGowan.  This young horse is moving up the grades and Steffani is currently competing him at Foxhunter and 1.30m height. 

Steffani will be sending us photos and updates of the three horses that Roger rides for her father and hopefully they will all be competing at next years show. 

Many of you will remember Pluto the little Newfoundland puppy who weighed 2 stones in July and came along to the Show.  He was a firm favourite with everybody who met him, but now Pluto has grown and my photo shows a 5 stone teenager!

The Lancashire Rescue Bears Newfoundland Training Group are coming to next years show  and will be there on Saturday 17th July and Sunday 18th July 2010. Hopefully, Pluto will come along as well to meet his many fans.  

We are delighted to announce that Aquashield will continue to sponsor the Grand Prix for the next three years.

While on holiday in Australia in 1995, one of Aquashields founders  was staying with relations who were having their roof coated and struck up a conversation with the people doing the work. He quickly identified a potential business opportunity within the UK. On his return, he realised there was very little domestic roof preventative maintenance carried out. Extensive marketing research confirmed that there was a huge gap in the market for a low cost alternative to re-roofing.

Fourteen years on and Aquashield, based in Scotland are developing  throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. 

I caught up with Tommy Deans of Aquashield as I was keen to find out more about his interests in show jumping. Aquashield has sponsored at many of Scotlands major Show Jumping events and Roger McCrea who also trains Tommy's daughter Steffani, competes the Deans horses with her, from his base in Lanarkshire.

Steffani and Roger both competed at Bolesworth this year and Tommy feels that the Grand Prix sponsorship fits the overall profile of Aquashield very well indeed. Every single person visiting this years Show would benefit from an Aquashield coating to their home or stables and we wholeheartedly support this excellent product.

This is Aquashields first venture into show jumping sponsorship out of Scotland and we feel very priviledged to have been chosen by Tommy. He is already looking forward to next year show and plans to invite four or five couples of close friends and colleagues to enjoy our VIP hospitality.

One of our exciting improvements will include the introduction of a sponsors pavilion within the main arena. This will enable Aquashield  to entertain their guests from this area for the duration of the Grand Prix.  They will have a perfect uninterrupted view of the whole class and will be able to feel the tension and atmosphere that riders feel when competing in the Aquashield Grand Prix.

This facility is very popular on the Continent but I do not think it has ever been available in the UK. Aquashield are market leaders yet again!  

We have now confirmed our show dates for 2010.

The Bolesworth Show Jumping Classic will have an extra day and run from Thursday 15th July until Sunday 18th July 2010 inclusive. This extra day will ease the pressure caused by the huge number of entries experienced at this years Show which subsequently upset our schedule timings.  

The grounds men are already at work on both arenas with bare patches being repaired with topsoil. In addition both arenas have been reseeded with deeper rooting grass varieties to stabilise the turf.

There are many exciting plans in the pipeline and top of the list is the introduction of the Bolesworth Castle Eventers Grand Prix.  Nigel Taylor the owner of Washbrook Farm, and organiser of the highly successful Aston Le Walls Horse Trials which are held there, will visit us in early November to make plans for the course.

By 2011 the course will hopefully include a lake crossing which could mean that the Lancashire Bears Newfoundland Training Group can operate as rescuers!

They were so popular at this years show when performing rescue demonstrations in the lake that I feel sure many of our visitors will want to see them again.

As promised in our news of 1st September an update from Edward Matson.

Soliegette has been to Twemlows Hall Stud Farm and was artificially inseminated with frozen semen from Sir Shutterfly (full brother to Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum's Shutterfly) and unfortunately no embryo was recovered.

Due to the mare's current busy competing schedule and the lateness in the breeding season, she will be returning to continue her embryo transfer program in the New Year.

I caught up with Edward at The Champions Tour  launch last week and the photo that I took also includes  Michaele Kolling MRCVS who is the resident stud vet and Aileen Papenfus of Stallion AI Services which stores the frozen semen of Sir Shutterfly.

I believe Soliegette and her rider Vicky Tulloch are due to compete at this weeks Horse of The Year Show and I do hope that  she will feature in the classes being broadcast on the television.

The party finished in the early hours and everyone had a great evening.

Tickets sales for The Champions Tour are gathering momentum and it is just a case of spreading the word and making sure that  everybody knows the dates and where to buy tickets. Most will be bought on line and if you would like to do this NOW, please click on the blue writing.

Each Venue has been marketing their own date, through, newsletters, flyers, mailing lists and websites.   This should attract their warm market of regulars and then our advertisements in the Horse and Hound will spread the word to the wider equestrian community.

Everybody at the party will do their bit and hopefully they will all come along and offer their support at a Venue convenient to their own home.

This blog will be providing updates as  the Tour progresses and there are bound to be some hilarious, behind the scenes, tales to tell along the way.

Photographs today are of International Show Jumpers Carl Edwards and Michael Whitaker.  Carl is the only show jumping rider rider to have represented Great Britain at the Olympics on a home bred horse. Michael continues to be a legend and with many younger members of the Whitaker family making their name in the sport, the competition to stay at the top is not getting any easier!

Keith Shore combines Show jumping with hunting during the winter months. He is a brilliant amateur whipper in, of the Cheshire hounds. Keith invites Irish International Show Jumper Dave Quigley to have a day with the Cheshire and provides top class horses for his good friend Dave and wife Shaz, to ride. Last season they had a cracking day, following a trail over huge Cheshire hedges and ditches! 

Eventers Vere and Oliver look as though they are having a good catch up following an extremely busy season, which is now drawing to a close.

Linda Wright and Charles Britton are looking forward to watching their show jumper Ulot compete in the International classes at The Horse of The Year Show next week. They lead very busy lives building the Nations best equestrian facilities under the Charles Britton banner and running South View. 

Even more photos of the party can be viewed on the Daily News blog of The Horse Exchange.

The launch party for Geoff Billington and Oliver Townends Champions Tour was held at the Castle this evening. Many friends, family, sponsors and behind the scenes organisers of the forthcoming tour descended on the Castle for drinks and canapés at 7.30 pm.

This was followed by a film show featuring Geoff and Oliver's major riding successes. The sheer power of Geoff's Olympic legend, Its Otto, followed by Casabachus winning the Hickstead Derby and then Flint Curtis and Carousel Quest, Oliver's Badminton and Burghley winners of 2009.

Hilarious speeches by Oliver and Geoff  (who have the same dry wit ) followed. Geoff concluded that Oliver was a lucky bugger as he had managed to win a European Gold medal as a member of team GBR at Fontainebleau last week end, without finishing the competition!  This was followed by very special thanks from them both, to their sponsors who have already played and will continue to play such an important part in the Tours success. Their major sponsor is Dodson & Horrell Ltd, with Devoucoux, Classic Showjumps, Lincoln, Tottie, Nedz, Horse First, and Horsemart.co.uk, also involved.

 Next on the list of activities was a buffet supper organised by Olivers Mum.  Masses of  delicious quiches, sausages, salads, chicken drumsticks and then fresh fruits, meringues and cream, a huge cheese board with biscuits and then dancing!    

Many of Geoff and Oliver's friends had traveled to the party.  Eventers Vere and Clea Phillips from Leicestershire, Michael and William Whitaker, Keith Shore, Corrine Collins, Antony Condon, James Billington, Carl and Amanda Edwards, Chris Smith, Shaz and Dave Quigley and many other showjumpers enjoyed a rare midweek night out!

The Twemlows Stud who sponsor at The Bolesworth Classic were represented by Edward Matson. Other guests included Charles Britton and Linda Wright who are hosting the final night of the first part of the Tour at South View. They sold their former home, Gadlas Farm to Oliver in 2008.

Graham and Louise Davies who launched their new puncture proof tyres at our Show have seen sales steadily increase and were also here to support Oliver and Geoff .

The Edgemere team of Paul Hill, Tony French, Gill Cotton and Tom were all at the party. Edgemere Ltd sponsor Oliver through their KenTaur range of Saddlery.  Paul is in charge of tradestands at our Show and 2010 is looking good!

MORE PHOTOS TOMORROW!

VW Liverpool are part of the group of eight that come under Clare James Automotive Ltd. They have generously sponsored at our two shows to date and we have been delighted to have had them on board.

Simon Ellis the Branch Manager of VW Liverpool very kindly gave me the information for todays blog. The Group likes to support local prestigious events and many of their existing customers  were at the show either competing or spectating. In terms of selling cars our audience is very much their target audience and  the quality of our Show compliments the quality of VW Liverpool as part of  Clare James Automotive Ltd and vica versa. Ian Rutter is the Managing Director of the whole group and its representation with the VW brand continues to grow in this area.

Simon Ellis lives in the very pretty village of Eccleston near Chester and many of the staff within the group of eight also live in the countryside or follow activities that take place in the countryside.

It is fantastic to be supported by this company and we feel that they have played a significant part in our success to date.  Our aim is to support and be supported by businesses in the North West and Clare James Automotive Ltd definitely fits the bill in this respect.

They are also involved with sponsorship at the new Equestrian Centre at Aintree racecourse and both Aintree and Bolesworth started within a short time of each other.

Eve Staveley is the youngest BSJA accredited coach in the country and is currently sponsored by the group and competed at our Show. Her day did not go according to plan as she was competing in front of  the groups key business partners who had been invited to enjoy a delicious lunch in the VIP tent. Expectation was high as Eve entered the main ring and then disaster as her horse refused to jump the first fence and was eliminated. This is every riders nightmare especially when competing in front of your sponsor.

Perhaps the moral of the story is that the horsepower provided by VW Liverpool is considerably more reliable than the horsepower provided by a show jumper!  The well known catch phrase horses are not machines is very apt in this case