A TEAM GB showjumping duo will be among the elite riders going for gold at a high-profile equestrian event being held at a Cheshire castle and estate.

Top UK showjumpers Holly Smith and Ben Maher will be among 350 riders competing in the Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show at Bolesworth Castle and Estate, near Tattenhall, from July 7 to 11.

It was announced on Friday (July 2) that Holly and Ben will make up one half of the four-strong British showjumping team on their way to this month’s Tokyo Olympics, delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As one of their final runs before embarking on their medal hopeful trip to the games, both will take part in the Bolesworth show where riders from across the world will compete for their share of an impressive £150,000 prize fund.

They will be joined at Bolesworth by other showjumping superstars including brothers John and Michael Whitaker and leading British female equestrian Laura Renwick.

There will also be a strong Irish contingent led by Daniel Coyle, Michael Duffy and Whitchurch based Anthony Condon, a former Grand Prix winner at Bolesworth.

Chester and District Standard:

Holly Smith pictured competing in the Puissance at Bolesworth in previous years.

Nina Barbour, managing director of Bolesworth Estate whose family have owned and looked after the 6,500 acre castle and estate for more than 160 years, said: “We are gearing up to a fantastic five days of elite sport and having top riders such as Ben and Holly be part of the competitor line-up is hugely exciting.

“We are proud and privileged to be able to organise and host such a high-class event at Bolesworth and bring this level of sport to the North West.

“It means our visitors are able to come and watch Team GB, world-class riders compete live, just before they head off to try and bring a medal home for the country and that feels very special.

“I think it will add to an already upbeat and exciting atmosphere at the event which all the family can come and enjoy with us, made more special because it is three years since we have been in a position to welcome the public to this event.

“I know I will be joined by the whole Bolesworth team in wishing all our Olympic athletes, whether in equestrian sport or otherwise, the very best of luck.”

Holly, a European Team Bronze Medalist who will take her top horse Denver to Japan, spoke ahead of her appearance at Bolesworth and said: “It was an honour to be picked for Team GB and I am delighted to be competing at Bolesworth this year, just a fortnight before I head off for the games.

“The event’s world-class main arena is the perfect place for one of my final competitive appearances ahead of Tokyo.”

The top rider from Loughborough added: “There’s always a great crowd at Bolesworth and after the past year, it feels really good to be out competing again in front of home spectators. I am really looking forward to it.”

Top level showjumping won’t be the only attraction for visitors to the Dodson & Horrell International Horse Show. There is also a host of trade stands, food stalls, have a go dog agility and a specially created Kids Zone where there will be traditional fairground rides, a giant inflatable obstacle course and trampoline bungee jumping.

The show is just one of a series of events at Bolesworth through the summer and beyond.

These include two other world-class equestrian shows, Chris Evans’ family fundraising favourite CarFest and The Great Balloon Race where dozens of hot air balloons in all shapes and sizes will ascend into the air along with music entertainment.

The year will wrap up with a magical Christmas Light Trail from November 26 through to Christmas Eve, and families will be invited into an enchanted winter wonderland after dark where there will be a rainbow of floodlit trees, lights that twinkle by the lakeside and sparkling walkways with laser lit bridges.