Are You a Talented Show Jumper?

A young horsewoman who has recently returned from a weekend with two former Olympic show jumpers says Countryside Live has given her an “amazing opportunity’ to progress in the sport she loves.

Thirteen-year-old Lara Gorse is now more determined than ever to follow in the footsteps of her idols Graham and Tina Fletcher after winning the X-Factor style competition at last year’s Countryside Live.

The event, now in its 13th year, is the little sister to the Great Yorkshire Show and is a showcase of rural life and a fun day out for all the family. Dates are Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October and the venue is the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Last year, Lara, who lives in Leicestershire, beat off tough competition to win one of the weekend’s most popular events – Search for a Talented Show Jumper.

Young riders aged 10 and over compete over two days for the opportunity to spend a weekend with the Fletchers, former World and Olympic show jumpers, at their Oxfordshire yard. Lara is keen to urge others to enter and follow in her footsteps.

“I had a really amazing time – they were so welcoming and so friendly to me. It was such a great experience for me, I felt I really improved over the weekend. I just want to do what the Fletchers have done, ride at the Olympics and World Championships.

“Winning the ‘Search for a Talented Show Jumper’ competition at Countryside Live gave me such a great opportunity – it’s definitely worth entering, it’s been brilliant for me,” she said.

Lara, who spent the weekend with the Fletchers with her new pony called ‘My Star Prospect’, as well as her mum and dad Haley and John and five-year-old sister Lottie, is hoping to return to Countryside Live in October to compete in the popular Northern Show Cross competition.

Her mother Haley added: “Lara hasn’t had Star for very long. She improved so much during her weekend with the Fletchers, it was incredible. It really was a fantastic opportunity for her.”

Countryside Live includes a broad range of equine classes over the two days including Mountain and Moorland, Working Hunter Ponies, Coloured horses and ponies and the hugely popular Northern Show Cross Finals, which will again take place in the Main Arena. The closing date for Search for a Talented Showjumper is Friday 25 September.

For the latest information, including how to enter the show jumping competition and to apply for show admittance tickets go to www.countysidelive.co.uk

Countryside Live 2015 Ticket Prices

*Under 5s admitted free. Please note dogs other than assistance dogs are not allowed on the showground.

ENDS

4 September 2015

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society 01423 546215 or judyt@yas.co.uk

To apply for press passes to Countryside Live, please complete the online application form on our website, by 9th October 2015 - http://countrysidelive.co.uk/media/press-passes

Editors’ Notes

The Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event Countryside Live, are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society as part of its year round work supporting and promoting the farming and rural industry. Next year will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show, and dates are Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July. Countryside Live, the Society’s autumn event takes place on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, 2015.  

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