A dressage demo ‘with a twist’ will take place in the main arena on Saturday and Sunday at this year’s Your Horse Live (8-10 November).
‘Dancing Horses’, a performance to live music, will showcase the beauty of horses of all shapes and sizes. It will show that with the right attitude, determination, guidance and hard work, anything is possible.
The performance will end with an amazing performance by the ultimate show and horseman Ben Atkinson.
Headed up by one of the original founders of dressage to music 44 years ago, Gaynor Colbourn will be playing live — and she’ll even take music requests!.
This high tempo performance will feature a variety of horse types and breeds, showing that dressage is accessible to all — from a 13hh Fell stallion to an 18.3hh Clydesdale.
This is one not to be missed. Expect it to be loud, lively, unexpected, fun and exciting!
Tickets available here
Who is Ben Atkinson?
Ben Atkinson performing in the Your Horse Live Main Arena
Ben is a professional stunt rider, horse trainer and Liberty artist from East Yorkshire. He is well known for his appearances in film, TV and live events, with an enviable list of projects including Peaky Blinders, Victoria and Poldark.
The family business, Atkinson Action Horses, is one of the most respected equestrian companies providing services for film and TV, supplying highly trained horses, riders and trainers for a variety of disciplines and stunts.
Ben’s horsemanship is spellbinding and his knowledge covers all areas. Last year at Your Horse Live he was showjumping in the arena with Jay Halim!
Ben will wow you with fearless stunt riding, classical dressage and the art of Liberty.
Who is Gaynor Colbourn?
As a trained classical musician, composer and session musician in the recording and TV/Film world, as well as a rider, Gaynor has merged these two skills together.
The initial idea came about when having dinner with John and Nereide Goodman, the owners of Wellington Riding. Their grand piano was conveniently situated near the television, when the Goodwood Grand Prix Special was being shown with the sound turned off.
Gaynor found herself happily playing piano to the horses, in a way which was reminiscent of the music in silent movies.
It was 44 years ago, at the age of 17, that Gaynor did the first ever live dressage to music demo with Jennie Loriston Clarke MBE.
This marked the birth of dressage to music as a sport accessible to everyone worldwide at any level and the Wellington Dressage to Music Championships was born along with a new sport.
No one had heard of it and it became her lifetime’s work to make it mainstream, which of course she succeeded — as its popularity shows.
This year’s performance at Your Horse Live promises a daring and spectacular show that you can interact with. Think Glastonbury for horses!
Gaynor is bringing:
Lynne Macleod & Hermes
Hermes is a 15.2hh pocket rocket Lusitano gelding. The 12-year-old may be small, but he has a huge heart and his zest for life is infectious.
Hermes is a multiple discipline champion with titles won at both working equitation and British Dressage. He competes in Grand Prix dressage, plus World and European working equitation championships.
Josephine Clewlow & Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an 18-year-old 16.2hh ‘ginger ninja’ who is training and competing at under-25 Grand Prix level.
He is full of mischievousness and although he has a heart murmur, this horse has the biggest heart to perform and tries his best in everything he does.
Josephine, 21, is a full-time university student and a self-trained Grand Prix dressage rider.
She is a brilliant example of how the underdog can triumph with limited resources, as she trains at home in a grass field. Josephine shows that anyone can achieve big things if they want too.
Jackson Black & El Paso
El Paso is 15 years young. The 16hh KWPN is small but mighty and moves with presence and power.
He is currently training at advanced medium and competing at medium level with the hope that he will be Jackson’s under-25 Grand Prix horse.
Jackson, 22, is a BHS Coach and BHSI dressage rider. He has worked for international riders and coaches who inspired him to do dressage.
Chantelle Maria Oliver & Stadmorslow Coffee n Cream (Harvey)
Sam Gorman & Porridge
Mark Cramb & Quick Casanova
Sally Walker & George
George is an 18.3hh Clydesdale who competes in showing aa well as medium-level dressage.
Sally is an International dressage rider and coach competing to Grand Prix.
Rebekah Adshead & Peanut
Peanut is a 13hh Fell stallion competing in advanced medium and Prix St Georges classes.
Don’t miss out. Buy your tickets today!
Guarantee a seat to see all the Main Arena action with a VIP or Standard Plus ticket. Tickets selling fast!
