South West Christmas Equine Fair

MARY KING AT EQUINE FAIR!

It's star quality as well as appeal when Mary King, from Seaton, Devon, top international Event rider and winner of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials last year with Star Appeal, visits the South West Christmas Equine Fair on Saturday, November 24th between 11.30 and 12.30. Apart from touring the two-day fair, Mary, Patron of the Devon Air Ambulance, will also be meeting their helicopter when it lands at the Westpoint showground around the same time.

The biggest and most lavish Christmas Equine Fair yet, visitors will be able to "shop till they drop" at the huge range of trade stands. There'll be a wide selection of saddlery, tack, feeds, rugs, clothing, tailoring, safety equipment, medical services, carriages and arenas, not to mention the specialist societies and associations offering expert advice and equine support.

The Supreme equine Arena will also be a certain draw, especially when the Devil's Horsemen take the audience by storm with their famous Cossack routine! The Parelli team from Tiverton will demonstrate their method of natural horsemanship, the latest thinking in humane and sensible horse training, John Lassetter, International dressage trainer and competitor will demonstrate that dressage has both a serious and fun side, while the ever popular Cyril Knowles heavy horses from Bovey Tracey are bound to hold the audience enthralled. So, too, will the 16 members of the Westcountry branch of the British Skewbald & Piebald Association when they parade their colourful horses and ponies.

All this and free lectures too! The Top Equestrian Lecture Theatre (seating 50) is the place to be on both days for seminars featuring Margrit Coates with hands-on healing energy for horses, Robbie Richardson discussing medical farriery and Roy Burek from Charles Owen & Co emphasising the importance of head safety wear for riders.

Also don't miss the prize draw on Sunday for 25 bags of Berries equestrian bedding, a new material on the horse bedding market, while John Lassetter will be signing autographs on the Battle, Hayward & Bower stand. The first 500 visitors to the Battle, Hayward & Bower stand will be given free samples of the Codlivine products. Not to be missed!

There'll also be a grand fund-raiser for the International League for the Protection of Horses in the shape of 20 tons of carrots. Sold from the ILPH stand, each bag will contain a voucher, to the value of £3, given by Allen & Page, Dengie, Dodson & Horrell, Saracen and Topspec Supplements.

The South West Christmas Equine Fair takes place in association with Western Morning News. Sponsors are: Battle, Hayward & Bower, Virbac, Mole Valley Farmers Ltd, Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Intervet, Charles Owen & Co, BETA, and Devon Life.

The South West Christmas Equine Fair, Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th November 2001. Tickets: Adults £7.00, under 16's/OAP's £5.00, Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) £22.00, under 5's free. In advance: Adults £6.00, under 16's/OAP's £4.00, Family ticket £18.00. Group discount: 10 adults - 1 free ticket. Advance sales: Premier line 09067 533500. General enquiries: Contour Exhibitions & Events 01884 860650 or visit www.contour.uk.net