Magical Iberians to dazzle crowds on return to West

ORGANISERS are pressing ahead with plans for the full-scale return of the South West Iberian Show.

Now firmly established as the biggest show in the UK dedicated to Spain and Portugal’s majestic equine breeds, the four-day extravaganza is taking place on September 2-5 at the Grange Equestrian Centre, located near Okehampton.

A packed programme includes a variety of daytime competitive events and two nights of evening entertainment with breath-taking performances, under professional audio and lights by Plymouthbased firm, Nub Sound.

“Last year saw the show being one of the only major events in the equine calendar to take place,” said the show’s creative director, Fleur Churchill. “It was a unique, intimate socially distanced show with just a 50-person audience sat in the middle of the arena while performers whirled around them, absolutely breath-taking and spell binding, and it brought many in the arena to tears after such an emotional year.

“But with restrictions lifting, 2021 will see a return to the full show. With several new elements this year, excitement is growing and tickets are already selling fast. If you haven’t been before, what better year after all the heartache to come and be inspired and uplifted by these magical horses.”

Levels of interest this year are “incredible”, Ms Churchill adds, with tickets selling at twice the speed of the sold-out 2019 show.

Both amateur and professional competitors will be in action throughout the daytime events, which include in-hand and ridden showing classes, the cow penning phase of Working Equitation and Masters Du Cheval Ibérique (MCI) dressage.

Meanwhile, evening attendees look set to enjoy a dazzling array of entertainment from world class horses and riders. Performances from the LED Lusitanos and South West Formation Riders will be rounded off with a first-of-its-kind choregraphed closing sequence features stunts, performers, fire displays and more.

Ms Churchill commented: “They will join together in a sky high performance that will inspire us all to dream a perfect dream, in the biggest adventure we’ve had yet at the South West Iberian Show.”

The Iberian Food Plaza will be open throughout the four-day event with authentic food from Tapas on Tour, Taste of Portugal, Shaws Iberian Wines, Dartmoor Brewery and the Cornish Barista.

For further details, to view the full programme and buy tickets, with discounts available for groups, visit the website www. southwestiberianshow.co.uk

Fleur Churchill This year’s South West Iberian Show will include the ‘fairy light’ horses

Danny Berta Iberian and baroque breeds will be on show throughout the event