South Essex Trailblazers Entries Up By 20 per cent

More PSOA centres opt for championship list

At least 24,000 riders will have competed in qualifying classes by the time the national South Essex Insurance Brokers Trailblazers showjumping and dressage championships are held in September.

Norman Bargh, spokesman for the organisers, the Permanent Show Organisers Association (PSOA), said: "We estimated that there were about 20,000 entries in qualifying rounds last year, which is only 10 per cent of the estimated 200,000 unaffiliated riders in the country. This year, our members - who run permanent show centres - are reporting that entries this season show a 20 per cent increase."

The competition, part of the extensive sponsorship programme financed by South Essex Insurance Brokers, is designed to provide both an introduction to showjumping and dressage competition and to give unaffiliated riders a well run, national championship to aim for. In qualifying rounds, dressage classes are at Preliminary, Novice and Elementary levels and showjumping over 75cms, 85cms, 95cms and 1.05m obstacles for both seniors and juniors, with seniors strictly limited to rides at a minimum 14.2hh.

Growth, however, has not been confined to entries. "More PSOA members are showing an interest," said Mr Bargh. "We have added eight centres to the list of participants for this season, and filled gaps in the Trailblazers programme in both Scotland and Devon.

The three-day Championship will be held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, on September 13-15. For details of participating centres and the Trailblazer programme, contact Malcolm Buckingham at tel: 01223 262334, or Norman Bargh, tel: 01254 813159.

Participating Centres

Conrhenny Jumping Show, Douglas, Isle of Man
Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon, Avon
Blue Barn Stables, Ashford, Kent
West Wilts Equestrian Centre, Trowbridge, Wilts
Stainsby Grange Riding Centre, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
Hurstbourne Equestrian Centre, Whitchurch, Hants
Limes Farm Equestrian Centre, Folkestone, Kent
Duckhurst Farm Equestrian Centre, Staplehurst, Kent
Wing Jumping and Dressage Centre, Leighton Buzzard, Beds
Lordsbridge Show Centre, Cambridge, Cambs
Moorhouse Equestrian Centre, Doncaster, South Yorks
Longwood Equestrian Centre, Hockley, Essex
Forest of Dean Equestrian Centre, Lydney, Glos
Solihull Riding Club, Solihull, West Midlands
College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe, Beds
Blewbury Show Centre, Didcot, Oxon
Richmond Equestrian Centre, Richmond, North Yorks
Bold Heath Equestrian Centre, Widnes, Cheshire
Field House Show Centre, Uttoxeter, Staffs
Markfield Equestrian Centre, Markfield, Leics
Forest Edge Stud, Swaffam, Norfolk
Blackdyke Show Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria
Greenlands Equestrian Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria
Osbaldeston Riding Centre, Blackburn, Lancs
Sykehouse Arena, Doncaster, South Yorks
Arena UK, Grantham, Lincs
Rowallan Riding Centre, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
Tall Trees Equestrian Centre, Camelford, Cornwall
Northallerton Equestrian Centre, Northallerton, North Yorks.
Stowe Riding Club, Towcester, Northants
Norton Heath Equestrian Centre, Blackmore, Essex
South Wales Equestrian Centre 2000, Heol-y-cyw, near Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan
Gracelands Equestrian Centre, Elmbridge, Droitwich, Worcs
Moor Farm Equestrian Centre, Haverford West, Pembs
Seagold Centurian Equestrian Centre, Bishop Aukland, Co Durham
Sheepgate Equestrian Centre, Boston, Lincs
Glebe Equestrian Centre, Whitestone, Exeter
Ivesley Equestrian Centre, Waterhouses, Durham
Milton Keynes Eventing Centre, Hanslope, Bucks
Heart of England Equestrian Centre, Spot Acre, Nr Stone, Staffs
Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, Buckingham, Bucks
Dabbs Arena, Giffordtown, Nr Ladybank, Fife
Coombe Park Equestrian Centre, Tontes, South Devon

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