The Ultimate Equine Experience - the national tour of regional equine fairs - kicks off its 2004 season with the Midlands Equine Fair, which will take place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, in just a few days on 13 and 14 March 2004.

The 2004 Fair looks set to be bigger and better than ever before, with a fantastic range of demonstrations, displays and, of course, opportunities to shop.

Details include:

" Lucinda McAlpine, the renowned owner of Brackenhill Stud, who will be demonstrating her approach to the natural rearing of horses. Over the last five years she has developed a system of stress-free horse management.

" Andrew Nicholson, the internationally recognised eventer who has represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games.

" Tony Newberry, former member of the British Olympic show jumping team, who will be discussing the rights and wrongs of show jumping technique.

" Mary Wanless, international lecturer and renowned author, whose groundbreaking research and understanding provide riders with simple pieces of clear information and instructions, and direct tools for implementing them. Mary will be training two lucky winners of our competition to join her in the arena at the Fair.

" Demonstrations in the sport of Polocrosse, a sport that is a hybrid of polo from the Far East and lacrosse from North America is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

" David Burleigh Smith, equine gentling specialist. The main difference between David's equine gentling techniques and those taught in the traditional English way is that the rider is taught how to train, rather than how to ride. By paying attention to the horse, the rider can learn the way they think and react to sounds and movement, their likes and dislikes, the way they like to be touched in return to touch us.

" The Mystic Horsemen, a team of stunt riders consisting of six riders and six horses, who display their skills at horse shows and in films and on television in a range of styles including Cossack, Wild West and Spanish High School.

" The launch of a new charity - Veteran Horse Welfare - and the presence of other charities such as the International League for the Protection of Horses, the Veteran Horse Society and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, which is launching its Rocking Horse Appeal at the Fair.

" The ever popular breed parade and display area including the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

" Over 100 opportunities to shop in a special Equestrian Shopping Village.

Tickets and information regarding exhibition opportunities are available in advance from Contour Exhibitions & Events by calling 01884 841925, and advance booking discounts are available. Further information and on line booking are available by logging on at www.contour.uk.net.

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