Posted: 16th May 2016 | Back to news feed
Dressage icons Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester will bring their special brand of magic to next month's Bolesworth International CSI **** in Cheshire.
The Olympic gold medallists will lead a stellar entry in an eagerly-awaited dressage to music class on June 16, the opening day of this year's show.
Dujardin is the reigning Olympic, World and European individual champion, while she also holds all of dressage's world records aboard the brilliant Valegro.
Their performances have taken the sport to new heights and seen dressage enjoy unprecedented levels of support since Dujardin lit up London 2012 with a staggering freestyle display at Greenwich Park.
Hester, meanwhile, guided Britain to team gold at London, when he joined forces with Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer (now Tomlinson), and is globally renowned as one the sport's most prominent figures.
Confirmation of their Bolesworth appearances comes after organisers announced that fellow Olympic gold medallists Scott Brash and Nick Skelton will be among a star-studded showjumping field.
Other confirmed entrants include multiple major championship medallist Michael Whitaker, Bolesworth 2014 Grand Prix winner William Whitaker and reigning Liverpool International Grand Prix champion Billy Twomey.
Yazmin Pinchen, who won a thrilling Bolesworth Grand Prix last summer, will make a return appearance, while joining Twomey among a powerful Irish contingent are Shane Breen, Cian O'Connor and Dermot Lennon, in addition to American star Laura Kraut, British Nations Cup regular Guy Williams, plus the consistent Italian pair of Lorenzo de Luca and Piergiorgio Bucci.
Dujardin and Hester will compete at Bolesworth just 51 days before the Rio Olympics ceremony, offering fans a dream opportunity to watch them in action as they continue their Olympic countdown.
Bolesworth show president Nina Barbour said: "This is significant news for Bolesworth. Charlotte and Carl are household names who have done so much for the sport of dressage, and we are absolutely thrilled that they will be taking part this year.
"There is added excitement with the Rio Olympics, and our Bolesworth 2016 entries underline what a key event it is on the equestrian calendar as national selectors at home and abroad finalise their plans for Brazil in August."
Running again at CSI**** level, Bolesworth's 2016 four-day show takes place in the spectacular grounds of Bolesworth Castle from June 16-19 and promises an exciting mix of supreme showjumping talent, dressage to music, the unmissable puissance, para showjumping, an invitational jockey challenge and Bolesworth's flagship elite young horse auction.
A prize fund of almost £60,000 has been announced for the final day's headline Equerry Horse Feeds Grand Prix, and if that is not enough to whet the appetite, then show-stopping performances from pop bands Atomic Kitten, 5ive and Retake That are also in store.
Numerous other family attractions include a new equine learning zone that will feature rider guest appearances, camel racing, a funfair, action-packed displays, bistro and champagne bar, fine food, fashion & lifestyle zone, plus a shop until you drop experience guaranteed by around 130 retail outlets.
General admission tickets are available at a pre-sale price of just £12 for the opening two days, and £18 for Saturday and Sunday, up to 40% off gate prices. Under-14s can enjoy free admission, while a four-day 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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