Hundreds of Cheshire schoolchildren will have the chance to watch British Olympians and top horse riders as the annual Bolesworth International event hosts its Schools Day on Thursday, June 18.

More than 800 youngsters will explore the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, where they can experience the spectacular entertainment and world-class sporting action.

There will also be reptile shows and fun fair rides on offer as well as den-building and earth skills workshops, as well as live story-time sessions around the campfire with CBeebies presenter Alex Winters.

Alex will be launching a story-writing competition for budding authors in aid of Caudwell Children, the chosen family charity of Bolesworth International for this year.

Olympic stars

Children will watch British Olympians and global riders compete for prize money from the grandstands and will meet the stars of this international equestrian festival, including former world number one Scott Brash, Nick Skelton and US rider Laura Kraut.

Meanwhile, world champion jet skier Anthony Burgess will take to Bolesworth Lake daily to wow visitors with his exhilarating stunts.

The Bolesworth team has created a School’s Out marquee and the focus will be on the countryside and the environment, where young visitors will investigate the origins of honey with Cheshire Beekeepers, dissect owl pellets with Broxton Barn Owl Trust, and identify wildlife and get crafty with Forest Explorers.

It is hoped children attending the Schools Day will flock back to experience the weekend show with family and friends.

This will include TV’s Gladiators family event on Saturday, June 20.

Gladiator Hunter, voiceover John Anderson, BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell and Gladiator Ace at the Bolesworth launch
Gladiator Hunter, voiceover John Anderson, BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell and Gladiator Ace at the Bolesworth launch

The Gladiators Knock-Out Competition will be hosted by John Anderson, referee on the original TV series, and supermodel Jodie Kidd.

Popular competitors Hunter, Jet, Lightning, Ace and Saracen will compete in games such Duel, Atlaspheres and The Eliminator.

The entertainment precedes live music performances from chart-topping band Scouting For Girls at Bolesworth Castle on the Saturday evening.

The band, known best for tracks such as She’s So Lovely and I Wish I Was James Bond, will be supported by girl band Alula; a three-piece band made up of Darby Ward – daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward and former Manchester City player Ashley Ward – and her friends Holly Ellison and Ella Coleman.

The Bolesworth team has also recently announced plans for a new CSI3* show to be held at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on January 1-3, 2016, kicking off with a spectacular New Year’s Eve party and modelled on successful European events such as the Gucci Masters.

It will be the first of its kind in the UK, with a packed schedule of international sporting action and family fun.

Show and concert tickets are available for the 2015 Bolesworth International event at www.bolesworthinternational.com.