Equus - tickets selling fast! There is so much to see and do at Equus-The Horse Event 2003 that tickets are selling fast! It is set to be the most successful Equus to date…

The Household Cavalry will be making the most dramatic entrance of all the displays to Equus 2003. Not only will they amaze Equus visitors, with their incredible skill and exemplary turnout during their display, but they will also stop commuters in their tracks as they make their way across London early on the morning of Thursday 3rd April. What lengths will some people go to in order to avoid the congestion charge?

Many people, riders and non-riders alike, have dreamt of playing polo or riding western style? Many could seize this chance to turn this dream into reality at Equus 2003. Every day in the Main Arena members of the audience can have-a-go! Victoria Grace one of the leading women's polo players will be demonstrating and instructing visitors in the skills involved in playing polo whilst David Deptford, western riding expert will be on hand with his beautiful agile quarter horses.

Jeanette Brakewell, one of the numerous number of celebrities coming to Equus, has just announced that one of the horses that she will be bringing is Over to You , which will delight the eventing fanatics in the audience. Brook Staples will also be participating in the Eventing demonstration.

John Lassetter who trained at The Spanish Riding School of Vienna and then Saumur with The Cadre Noir is hosting a clinic. The British Riding Club Riding Test runner up, Carol Alcock, is a big fan of John's and is incredibly excited about the prospect of taking part in the clinic on Saturday morning.

There is a purpose-built Stable Yard area where many experts will be giving free, live lecture/demos on a range of fascinating topics. And, thanks to Redwings Horse Sanctuary, there'll be two live demonstration horses. The Healthy Horse Area will be better than ever before with an amazing line-up of experts including Marcus Head MRCVS, top vet from Rossdale & Partners, Tricia Nassau-Williams lorinery expert and Dr Natalie Waran, Senior lecturer in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare. Topics covered will include a fittening and care regime for your horse, how to use herbs to treat horses, equine dentistry, hands-on healing, nutrition and saddle-fitting.

The evenings will consist of a trio of specialist clinics by Olympic riders - Thursday evening sees Pippa Funnell; Geoff Billington will be hosting Friday evenings including a special appearance from Its Otto and Saturday evening will see an exclusive appearance of Gold medal winner Anky van Grunsven.

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Despite recently breaking her leg, Anky (pictured left with Bonfire) will be making the trip to Equus in April and will bring with her some of her most promising students to highlight her specific way of training. Now well on the mend Anky is looking forward to her first ever London clinic "I enjoy giving clinics. Equus 2003 already provides a great day out and with the clinic in the evening it should make for a wonderful atmosphere - I am really excited about coming over!." Tickets are selling fast - the event is proving to be the most popular to date! With displays in a new performance format - there are two daytime performances lasting 2 and a half hours each including an interval. As Organiser Sarah Cartwright comments "Tickets are incredibly good value as an advance adult ticket at £10 includes entry to the event all day long to see the trade stands, Healthy Horse Demonstration Area and Warm-Up arena and also includes a seat in the Main Arena for one of the performances." Equus is to be held at ExCeL, London. It is open Thursday 3rd April-Saturday 5th April 10am-9pm and Sunday 6th April 10am-5pm. For full details of the programme or to book tickets visit www.equusevent.co.uk or call 0870 842 2231 (24 hour ticket hotline).

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