Mark Todd to give demo at 2013 International Eventing Forum

Mark Todd (pictured) heads the line-up of speakers for the 2013 International Eventing Forum, to be held at Hartpury College, Glos, on Monday, 4 February.

The forum’s title is “Journey to the top” and the day is designed to benefit riders of all skill levels and ambitions, whether you want to win Badminton or to compete at your first BE90, Riding Club or Pony Club event.

Dressage coach Ian Woodhead and his wife Heidi, who has evented at four-star, will start the day with a presentation on “How both ends meet”, showing how to establish the essentials which will let riders produce top competition horses from the beginning to the finished product.

Double Olympic gold medallist Mark Todd will then give a showjumping-based demo called “The jumping ladder”, addressing key tools in optimising horse and rider’s final-phase performance.

In the last session, new American eventing team coach David O’Connor — back at the forum by popular demand — will team up with British Eventing chief executive and leading course-designer Mike Etherington-Smith in a “Course-designer vs coach” scenario. Mike will pose the questions and David will coach the solutions.

Tickets: £45 each if purchased by end of December 2012, £50 per ticket in advance, £55 on the door; £45 for students (in advance); £40 for groups of more than 20. Buy from www.internationaleventingforum.com or tel: 01452 702127.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.