SkillHORSE - Competitors selected to compete for £1,000 training bursary

Eighteen competitors have now been selected to compete in the SkillHORSE competition to be held at SkillCity - The Skills Show, Salford Quays, in Manchester on 13-16 November 2002.

The best six students will go forward to compete in the Final on Saturday 16th November. The winning student will receive a £1000 training bursary that has been kindly provided by Derby College. The students will complete tasks including the following; Lungeing for improvement, horse preparation for competition, riding on the flat, jumping a course of 1m and interviews with Ian Stark on all aspects of yard and horse management.

Ian Stark, the Patron of SkillHORSE will also be sharing his eventing skills with a demonstration in the Main Arena. On Thursday dressage champion Richard Davison will be wowing the audience with his skill and finesse. There will also be displays from UK Mounted Police Branch and the UK Polocrosse team. All of these will take place in the Main Arena, which has kindly been provided by Fibresand UK Ltd.

The SkillHORSE competition was initiated by Stubbing Court Combined Training Group with the help of UK Skills and the Learning and Skills Council.

Capel Manor College and Walsall College have shown their support for SkillHORSE, and will be demonstrating saddle making on their stand. The British Horse Society, as sponsors, will also be on hand with advice for visitors.

Visitors to SkillHORSE will have the opportunity to 'have a go' at many activities throughout the four days. There are horses available so they can practice and learn new skills such as grooming, bandaging, tack fitting and simple first aid. The British Racing School in association with The Northern Racing College are providing a racing simulator so budding jockeys can try their hand at racing.

SkillCity will be the largest and most exciting gathering of skills in Europe. Organized by UK Skills and The Prince's Trust it aims to inspire and motivate young people by demonstrating opportunities for their future careers whilst also acting as a showcase of the UK's skills to the rest of the world. There will be numerous media, sporting, and political figures in attendance over the four days. Over 100 different industries will be represented. Visit the website www.skillcity.org for more up-to-date information about SkillCity and to get your free ticket.