Showjumping

If you’re a fan of the majestic horse, you may have to rein in your excitement as organisers of the Kent County Show have enlisted the help of two showjumping legends. The Detling showground will be hosting the prestigious Horse of the Year qualifiers ahead of the main event, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham in October. A massive event in the equestrian calendar, the classes range from heavy horses to miniatures, in this, the 65th anniversary of the competition. With the county show’s impeccable equine reputation, the Kent County Agricultural Society has managed to secure world famous racehorse trainer Jenny Pitman to judge one of the classes. Jenny, who was the first woman to train a Grand National winner and received the OBE for services to horseracing in 1998, will be at the showground near Maidstone on the last day of the show – Sunday, July 14 – to pick the winners of the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses Thoroughbred Show Series. She will be there at 9am in the John Standen Ring to cast her expert eye over those competing in the qualifier. The course in the Astor Ring has been designed by Kelvin Bywater, who was part of the team which designed the London 2012 Olympic course. An experienced and seasoned course builder who works at Hickstead, Olympia and the Birmingham International Horse Show, he worked with course designer Bob Ellis to put together the eventing course at the Olympic venue in Greenwich Park last year, seen by millions around the world, as the assistant course builder and artistic course designer. Agricultural society chairman Kevin Attwood said: “We are delighted that Kelvin will be in charge of the showjumping course design. “His experience and reputation as a world class designer ensures that our riders will have the best possible competition. This also makes for thrilling viewing for our spectators.” There’s also another coup for organisers – two of the 1,100 equine entries are with horses owned by the Queen. Entries have also been received from Laura Renwick, Guy Williams and William Funnell – all in the top 10 of Team GBR for British showjumping.

Children can show their equestrian skills in the pre-veteran class