A FRENCH four will be among the teams battling out for senior honours for the first time at this year’s Horse of the Year Show. The BSJA Guernsey’s annual five-day event begins today at the Chemin Le Roi showground and it is set to attract more competitors than ever.

As well as the visitors from France, the King’s Troop team, who are representing England in the team jumping, have brought over six horses and there will be many Caesarean combinations participating as well.

‘We are expecting 50-60 from Jersey,’ said Sarah Mills, the BSJA Guernsey liaison officer.

Today gets under way with the junior jumping, which will include the first leg of the team event between Guernsey and Jersey.

Traditionally, the match is very closely fought, with the visitors the current holders but the hosts keen for revenge.

Tomorrow is showing day when everyone is catered for, from the tots to the middleweight working hunters.

The senior team event begins on Friday with the first leg and the middle day of the show also includes the Ladies’ and Gents’ Championships.

The following day will see the graded jumping classes taking place during the morning, with the grands prix later in the afternoon.

The senior puissance provides Saturday’s finale and that class can go on into the evening as the spread gets wider and the wall gets higher, giving the spectators a great deal of excitement and the riders not a few nerves.

The Lt-Gov., Sir John Foley, and Lady Foley will be in attendance for the final day of competition, Championship Day, when both team events will be concluded and the Showjumper of the Year classes will be the highlights for the individual competitors.

Behind the scenes, top UK course builder David Cole returns to the show once again to provide the combinations with a real test of their ability.

‘His working hunter courses are renowned throughout the Channel Islands and I am sure this year will be no exception,’ said Mills.