Two rising stars from Cheshire Hunt North Pony Club will receive top tips from Britain’s No 1 showjumper Ben Maher when he visits Reaseheath College on Wednesday April 11th.

Ben will make a rare public appearance during the run up to the London Olympics 2012 when he gives a masterclass at Reaseheath’s Equestrian Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire.

A leading contender for the GB Olympic team, Ben will demonstrate his winning training techniques with his own novice and advanced horses. He will also teach Sammy Jo Clare, 16, and 12 year-old Xanthe Goldsack, both successful Pony Club team members.

Sammy Jo will ride Hang Cool Teddy Bear (stable name Rupert), a 16.1hh, seven year-old gelding who was a birthday present in 2010. Xanthe will partner Time for Fenella, a rising five year old, part-bred Welsh x American paint pony bought just a couple of months ago.

Both girls are active members of The Pony Club and regularly perform in dressage, show jumping and eventing competitions. Sammy Jo and Rupert have enjoyed early success this season, including winning The Pony Club Open Dengie Winter League. Xanthe and Fenella hope to aim at introductory British Eventing competitions this season.
By bringing in young riders to the masterclass, it is hoped to introduce relevant, lower level techniques which spectators can apply to their own horses at home.

Said Xanthe’s mum Alex Goldsack: “Both girls are delighted to be taking part in this event and are very excited at the prospect of meeting Ben Maher. It will be a tremendous experience for both them and their ponies.”

Ben Maher, 29, is one of the world’s top show jumpers. He represented Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 European Championships, and helped the team to win bronze at the 2011 European Championships in Madrid, Spain.

He was crowned leading rider at the London International Horse Show, Olympia, at Christmas. Since then he has been successfully competing at top level abroad in Switzerland, the USA and Hong Kong.

The three part masterclass will take place in Reaseheath Equestrian Centre’s indoor arena, opened by HRH The Queen in 2010. The 30m x 60m arena has a competition surface supplied by Martin Collins Enterprises, who are sponsoring the event.


LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Ben Maher Masterclass – Novice to Advanced in partnership with Martin Collins Enterprises (equine surface providers)

Wednesday 11th April 6pm, Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF

*** Special price: Pony club members and accompanying adults: £15 ***

Adults £20; Students / under 18s £15

Order tickets by credit / debit card, Phone: 01270 613210 (9am – 5pm weekdays) or email conference@reaseheath.ac.uk