Latest news
20 November 2008
Tara saddles up for show jumping Masterclass
In preparation for her competition against Jodie Kidd at the Express Eventing International Cup, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson receives a lesson from the masters, Mark Todd and Oliver Townend
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson mounted up today to prepare for her big indoor equestrian debut at the Millennium Stadium on 30 November against Jodie Kidd. Eventing legend Mark Todd and top international rider Oliver Townend put Tara and her horse through their paces and offered some top tips for the Express Eventing International Cup celebrity jump off.
Tara and Jodie will compete against each other at the very first Express Eventing International Cup – an exciting new compact version of the equestrian sport of eventing.
Tara is determined to give Jodie a real run for her money, saying: “I don't come from a family of Olympic riders but I do come from a family of Olympic skiers and as you have to be fearless for both so I’m feeling confident. It’s great to be here today with two of the best riders in the world, they have really helped me and I’m definitely leaving with a few tricks up my sleeve!"
Tara was put through her paces over jumps and guided on how to best tackle the course she will face in the Millennium Stadium next week.
The local pupils from Cardiff Riding School came out to show Tara their support and how they are rooting for her in the competition.
Alice Pembridge from Cardiff Riding School cheered Tara on: “We really hope Tara does well at the Express Eventing International Cup. She’s a good rider and has worked really hard today with Mark and Oliver. We’re all really excited about going to see Tara and Jodie on the 30 November.”
Express Eventing, in association with British Eventing, condenses the three disciplines - dressage, show jumping and cross-country – into half a day and under one roof. Nowhere else will spectators see the world’s top riders in one afternoon, such as today’s teacher Mark Todd and British Olympians William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Tina Cook.
Thousands of spectators are expected at the Millennium Stadium and all will be encouraged to celebrate the day by helping to raise money for nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan helps to improve the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, emotional and financial support.
Stuart Buntine, former international rider and director of Tricorn Events, the organising company, said: “It’s great that Tara is learning from two of the best riders. It’s given her the perfect preparation for the competition at the Millennium Stadium where we’re all gearing up to see some fantastic riding from Tara, Jodie and the professional riders. It’s going to be a superb day out for everyone.”
For more information and to buy tickets for Express Eventing International Cup, go to www.eeicup.com <http://www.eeicup.com> or call the Express Eventing Ticketmaster hotline 08705 582582.
ends
In association with British Eventing
For further information, please contact
Express Eventing
Helen Barklam
01772 316924
07917 148900
Email: helen.barklam@tricornevents.com
Notes to editors
Express Eventing brings together the world’s top event riders to compete in a thrilling new compact version of the sport.
For the first time, spectators will be able to see all the action from one seat in a dramatic arena environment. They will be able to watch and compare the performance of every rider at every stage of the competition.
Expert commentaries, a new scoring system and state-of-the-art stadium technology will enable spectators to follow the progress of competitors, knowing exactly what each needs to do to win.
The competition starts with a freestyle dressage programme, set to music, where horse and rider are judged not only on the degree of difficulty, but on artistic interpretation. Competitors then enter the combined jumping stage, a first for eventing. After the last show jump is completed, a ‘pit-stop’ tack change enables horse and rider to prepare for the challenges of the cross-country course.
Rider who have signed up to take part in Express Eventing are:
British - Tina Cook, Mary King, William Fox-Pitt, Lucy Wiegersma, Oliver Townend
Australian - Clayton Fredericks, Lucinda Fredericks
New Zealand – Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell
China – Alex Hua Tian
Belgian - Karin Donckers
Germany - Dirk Schrade, Bettina Hoy
France - Nicolas Touzaint, Rodolphe Scherer
Italy - Vittoria Panizzon
Sweden - Linda Algotsson
American - Philip Dutton, Buck Davidson
Musto Clothing for Express Eventing
An innovative partnership
Musto, renowned for making the world’s leading sailing and country sports clothing for over 35 years, applies its technical expertise in design, fabrication, components and construction to make sure its products perform in the most testing conditions. It is fitting, therefore, that the company has been invited to design and produce a technical and functional five-piece collection for the riders at Express Eventing, the world’s newest, most dynamic and innovative development in competition riding.
GORE-TEX® Show Jumping Jacket
Constructed from a newly-developed, lightweight GORE-TEX® 2 layer laminate with a high twist polyester twill, which gives the fabric a soft hand feel but is durably waterproof, windproof and breathable. GORE-TEX® stretch panels are included in key areas – side and under arms - for increased ease of movement when you’re riding at full stretch. The jacket is mesh lined for optimum breathability and comfort when worn with the coordinating PrimaLoft® Jacket.
The Show Jumping Jacket has a sports-fit, which has been designed and shaped to perform in the arena and an ergonomic sleeve shape allows optimum movement and comfort. An innovative two-piece collar with detachable throat tab gives a smarter look and provides protection in foul weather. The centre two-way zip is protected by a shaped storm flap with partially concealed studs for a clean look. Adjustable cuffs, splash-proof zipped pockets, twin zipped gusseted rear vents and pommel flap make this the ultimate jacket in terms of performance, protection and technology.
