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Christmas gifts to inspire eventers


  • Price no object

    Educating event horses so they are prepared for the technical challenges they will face on today’s cross-country courses begins in the schooling arena with knock-down fences. Practising jumping corners and arrowheads will be made much easier with Jump 4 Joy’s plastic arrowhead and corner jump set. The set consists of three telescopic stands, which range in height from 75cm to 1.10m in height, one arrowhead/corner top, one filler with telescopic arms and two cross-county type flags. This set allows a range of corners and arrowhead fences to be built, making it an amazing present for any event rider.

    This set costs £370 and can be ordered online at: www.showjumps.com. For more details contact (tel: 01386 793339).

    Feeling flush

    Badminton Horse Trials is a mecca for eventing enthusiasts from around the world. Every year the best event riders from around the world go head-to head for the prestigious Mitsubishi Motors trophy. Give a friend or relative a present to look forward to with a pair of tickets to all three phases of the prestigious event. A pair of four-day season passes, including car pass, and the best seats in the house for the dressage and show jumping phases will set you back around £150, not including accommodation.

    Tickets don’t go on general sale until 10 January 2005, but you can apply for tickets during December by calling (tel: 0870 2423436) or emailing the box office: boxoffice@badminton-horse.co.uk. Visit: www.badminton-horse.co.uk

    Something special

    A new set of stylish personalised cross-country colours will put a smile on any event rider’s face on Christmas morning. Miranda Theobald offers a bespoke service producing cross-country shirts and silks to individual requirements. Cross-country shirts are fitted, cotton/lycra tops with a 2in high neck and half zip with a choice of long or short sleeves. The shirt is lightweight, comfortable, hard-wearing and easy to care for and can be worn over or under a body protector.

    A matching long sleeved shirt and hat silk costs from £72. For more details contact (tel: 01242 820135 or 07800 994549) Photography by Fiona Scott-Maxwell

    Beat the budget

    Help a friend stay in touch with all the latest news, views and reports from their favourite equestrian sport next season by giving them a year’s gift subscription to Eventing magazine. This monthly magazine is great value at just £37.40 for an annual subscription, saving 15% off the cover price, or you can save 30% by subscribing by direct debit, costing just £6.55 every three months. Each month the magazine will arrive through their door to ensure they stay up to date with the sport’s latest developments.

    Visit: www.giftmags.co.uk/hh or contact (tel: 0845 676 7778) quoting code AAQ4.

    Counting the pennies

    Life hasn’t all been plain sailing for eventing’s golden girl Pippa Funnell, not least dealing with her legendary nerves before major competitions. Now eventing enthusiasts can read her thoughts on the sport and the personal and professional challenges she has faced in her new autobiography, Pippa Funnell, The Autobiography. This book will make a great gift for anyone who wants to understand how success can be achieved through determination and hard work.

    Available at all good bookshops, priced £18.99. Buy from Amazon.co.uk >>

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