Royal Windsor To Host Britain V Ireland Showdown, 10 - 14th May

The organisers of the Royal Windsor Horse Show today announced a major new competition for the annual May fixture. The event, the brainchild of show director, Simon Brooks-Ward, will see the British go head-to-head with the Irish in the new 'Anglo-Irish Challenge'. The two countries have always enjoyed a healthy sporting rivalry. When England were victorious at Twickenham earlier this year they made sure that they celebrated loudly. When the Irish race goers arrive at Cheltenham this week they will be determined not just to beat the bookies, but to make sure that when an Irish horse or jockey is first past the post everyone knows where they're from. Now there is a new opportunity for these old rivals to bid for sporting supremacy, this time in the show jumping arena. Over the five days of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the two teams, representing their respective countries, will pitch their horses and riders against each other in this battle for national pride. The victorious team will be awarded The Halloween Cup, which the organisers hope will become the show jumping equivalent of The Ashes. Former European Champion, Olympic show jumper Peter Charles will captain the Irish team. Leading the challenge from Great Britain will be former World and European Bronze Medallist and sixth at the Atlanta Olympics, Geoff Billington. The teams will gain points during the week from four nominated competitions including the Final on the Saturday. Points awarded from the Final will have a higher weighting, which will add tension to the atmosphere in the famous Castle Arena, when the competition reaches its climax. The points accumulated by the Teams will be totalled to decide the final standings. Royal Windsor Horse Show Director Simon Brooks-Ward said: "After speaking to key competitors last year it was decided that Windsor would be an ideal venue for a focused Anglo-Irish competition, which would form the basis for international show jumping at Royal Windsor, without the heavy financial burden of FEI dues. Despite enthusiasm for such a venture, an event of this nature has never been staged before." Commenting on the competition Chief Executive of the British Show Jumping Association Jacky Wood, said: " This is an excellent initiative and one that enthusiasts of British Show Jumping will find easy to support." Enthusiastic about his involvement in the new event Peter Charles said: "I think that this will be a great competition and one that I hope both nations will approach with enthusiasm. There has always been a bit of rivalry between the two camp's which will certainly add to the atmosphere of the event, I am thoroughly looking forward to it." -ENDS- Notes to editors The Competition This is by invitation only. Horses to be registered in Grade A. Competitors will receive ¢ point for every rider in the top ten places within the Speed Class. Competitors will receive ¢ point for every pair in the top four in the Two Phase Relay. In the Anglo-Irish Group Competition teams will be awarded points as follows: 1st - 1 ¢, 2nd - 1, 3rd - ¥, 4th ¢, 5th - ¢, 6th - ¢. In the Anglo-Irish Challenge Final teams will awarded points as follows: 1st - 4, 2nd - 3, 3rd -2, 4th - 1. Speed Competition Wednesday -Class 7 Under table A4, Speed 400 metres per minute. Total Prize Money: ú1,500. For registered horses in Grade A. No competitor may enter or ride more than one horse in this competition, which will be open to the 16 members of the Anglo-Irish Challenge, together with the first 30 entries received. Competitors in the Anglo-Irish Challenge will receive ¢ point for every rider in the top ten places within the class. Two Phase Stakes Thursday - Class 38 This is a special competition. Speed 375 metres per minute. Total Prize Money: ú2,000. For competitors invited to compete in the Anglo-Irish Challenge. Competitors are paired up into teams by their Chef d'Equipes. The first competitor jumps over a Table A course and completes the first phase. The rider hands a baton over to the next partner who rides over a Table C course. Faults and time are added together to give a pair result. Competitors will receive ¢ point for every pair that is in the top four in this class. Anglo-Irish Group Competition Friday - Class 93 Under National Rules. A Special Competition. Speed: 375 metres per minute. Fences: 1.30m - 1.50m. Total Prize Money: ú4,000. The riders are placed in four groups of four, with two riders from each Nation in each group. Chef d'Equipes to place their riders in each Group. Chef d'Equipes to place their riders in each group. The riders of each group compete against each other. The winner in each group, and in addition the best two results (time and faults) of the first round, qualify to go into the jump-off. Riders go in reverse order of their times in the first round, into a jump off against the clock. Teams will be awarded points as follows: 1st - 1 ¢, 2nd - 1, 3rd - ¥, 4th ¢, 5th - ¢, 6th - ¢. The Anglo-Irish Challenge Final Saturday - Class121 A Special Competition under Table A. Speed 400 metres per minute. Total prize money: ú8,000 National colours to be worn. There will be a mounted parade of teams immediately prior to the commencement of class 121. Chef d'Equipes will place four riders in Team A and four in Team B. There will be a draw. All teams will compete in the second round. The cumulative faults (best three team scores count) will decide the placings. The starting order of the teams in the second round will be in reverse order of the total penalties incurred by the teams in the first round. In the event of equality of penalties for first place after the second round, there will be a jump off where the Chef d'Equipe will select one rider from each team to go into a jump off. The best time fault combination wins. Teams will be awarded points as follows: 1st - 4, 2nd - 3, 3rd -2, 4th - 1. Team Selection Team Captain and Chef d'Equipe will select and invite the team of their choice. A maximum of two horses per team member can be officially entered for the competition. There should be eight in either team. The Irish can nominate one travelling reserve; Great Britain has a pool of reserves at Royal Windsor. Great Britain: Chef d'Equipe Ronnie Massarella Team Captain Geoff Billington Ireland Chef d'Equipe Tommy Wade Team Captain Peter Charles FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please contact Candy Burnyeat or Beany McLean 01753 847916