Posted: 3rd May 2017 | Back to news feed
Without doubt a show of the calibre and magnitude of Bolesworth International brings with it many highs and it has to be said even a few lows! 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the show which this year has title sponsorship from Equerry Horse Feeds.
Here we take a look at the last 10 years and the journey the event has taken from a national show held on grass to a four star extravaganza that can at times still be challenging for the organising team when the inclement British weather strikes.
2008 – In its first year the show was held for just three days with the focus on national classes and good old-fashioned show jumping competition. The first ever Bolesworth Grand Prix was however hotly contested with the legend that he is – John Whitaker taking the spoils.
2009 – Another Yorkshire-man Paul Barker led the Grand Prix charge in 2009, taking home the £6,000 first prize in a year which saw a new Country Fair element added to the show.
2010 – Always one to support a top class occasion Nick Skelton travelled to Bolesworth to secure this year’s Grand Prix against tough competition. New additions to the schedule included a summer BBQ for the riders and a first Eventing Grand Prix.
2011 – As if 2008 wasn’t enough, John Whitaker returned to the fray to win a second Grand Prix title much to the delight of his many supporters while back on the eventing front it was the turn of Express Eventing to take over support of this element of the show.
2012 – There was a definite party atmosphere this year with the introduction of camel racing and helicopter pleasure flights over the showground. In Jubilee year the team hosted a party for the village supported by Tattenhall Music Society and music from well-known tribute band Re-Take That. Highly regarded for his speed against the clock, the Grand Prix went to Geoff Luckett – never one to miss the chance of taking home some decent prize money.
2013 – The last year of the Bolesworth Classic as the show had become known saw another four days of excellent competition and the introduction of a Stallion Parade, the first insight into the organising team’s vision to hold an Elite Auction featuring some of the very best jumping-bred bloodlines in the world.
2014 – A truly major year for the show saw the event renamed Bolesworth International but that was not the only change! The now iconic International Arena with its outstanding Andrews Bowen surface took the show into a new and exciting era. As if the weather lords knew, the event was also graced with four days of glorious sunshine and it was also the year of the first major concert with boy band Blue headlining. The Opening Ceremony will be remembered by all those who attended and the Redrow Grand Prix went to a triumphant William Whitaker on Upper Class.
2015 – With sponsorship so vital to help with the success of premier shows such as Bolesworth International the team were delighted when Ashford Farm stepped in as title sponsor. This was also the year of the Scouting for Girls concert, the fun that was The Gladiators competition and the greats that are Nick Skelton and Scott Brash battled it out with other leading names. It was also the year of the first Elite Auction with sales of the youngstock reaching almost £200,000.
2016 – This was a year when no one would have forgiven show president and founder, Nina Barbour for calling it her ‘annus horribilus’ when torrential rain made such an impact on the showground and the event came to a temporary halt on the Friday morning.
That said there was still plenty of fun and games with music from Atomin Kitten and Five and on the competition front a massive £250,000 prize fund on offer and major support from joint title sponsors Ashford Farm and Equerry Horse Feeds.
2017 – And on to this June – 14 to 18 to be exact and there is a host of new and exciting features planned. This year will see the launch of the new Bolesworth CDI*** which runs on the first two days of the show and also includes a masterclass with dressage legend Carl Hester. If that’s not all visitors also have the spectacular Bolesworth International Water Festival to look forward to. The Pro Wakeboard Tour will be visiting Bolesworth International on the Saturday, and Sunday, bringing just a touch of diversity to this fantastic five-day lifestyle event.
Tickets
Get 40% off gate prices if you pre-book your tickets online. General admission tickets are available at a pre-sale price of just £12 for the Thursday and Friday, and £20 for Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Under-12s can enjoy free admission, while a season ticket is at a not-to-be-missed pre-sale price of £40. Tickets can be bought online at www.bolesworthinternational.com
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