Olympic stars to take part in Chester showjumping event

Jun 16 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

OLYMPIC stars are to take part in a two day showjumping festival at Chester Racecourse on July 31 and August 1.

The inaugural British Masters Invitational will feature elite showjumpers including John and Michael Whitaker, Robert Smith, Ellen, William and Robert Whitaker, William Funnell, Geoff Luckett, Geoff Billington, Daniel Neilson and Tim Stockdale, all competing for a £60,000 prize.

The event, staged in partnership with The British Show Jumping Association, could attract up to 20,000 visitors to the city and will be a welcome boost to summer trade in Chester.

The festival will introduce a series of new elements into the sport such as live interviews, music, riders wearing polo shirts and betting opportunities to broaden the appeal of the sport.

The event, which will be covered on Sky Sports, will also feature ‘matchplay’ jumping with riders competing on a knockout basis and promises a mouthwatering spectacle of music and festivities. Punters will also be able to place bets on riders as they compete for a place in the final.