UK National Running Show organisers Raccoon Events has launched a new show to its rapidly growing portfolio.
The National Equine Show will take place 4-5 March 2023 at the NEC, Birmingham, and host 135 show jumping, dressage and eventer brands.
Event director Liz Ormesher, who is a lifelong horse lover, said: “After months of research and due-diligence we have found the perfect event model to support the equestrian community, there was a need for us to create a premium shopping experience where retail wasn’t fitted in around the horse shows. Secondly, the important conversations in the equine world, such as horse and riding well-being, safety, DE&I and sustainability, that need to be discussed on a bigger platform. Thirdly the calendar was missing an event in March to get people ready for the season ahead. So that’s exactly what we’ve created.”
Raccoon said the event was already breaking records for the number of brands confirmed in pre-launch stage.
Ormesher continued: “The response has been incredible and we are delighted to already have a host of key partners and supporters lined up for the event including, British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and we’ll be working with them closely throughout the year on data projects to fill the national statistic gaps we have across the sport in general and within the different disciplines.”
The three stages will play host to some of the sport’s biggest names including – Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Esme Higgs, Lydia Heywood, Alex Huan Tian, Piggy March and Khadija Mellah.
Claire Williams from BETA, said: “The new event fills a gap in the calendar and offers our retail members an opportunity to reach customers directly on a new and exciting platform. It offers BETA the opportunity to talk to an audience of engaged equestrians about key topics such as rider and feed safety as we look towards the start of the competition season.”
