News

Monday 11 December 2006

An evening with international show jumper Geoff Billington (March 14, 2007 at 7pm)

International and Olympic show jumper, Geoff Billington, will give a lecture and demonstration in the galleried seating area at Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre on Wednesday, March 14, 2007.

During the event Geoff will demonstrate some of the skills that have made him one of the country’s top riders and give the audience an insight into a professional show jumping career. He will be bringing three of his horses: a novice, a middle grade and one of his top class Grade A horses, to show how to get the best from your horse in the show jumping ring.

As a key member of the British Show Jumping team on many occasions with his partner, It’s Otto, Geoff represented Britain in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. Following the retirement of his Sydney Olympic partner, Geoff has been bringing on a string of young horses which are now coming into their prime.

The resulting good form includes recently coming third in the Hickstead Derby and winning with the British team in the Nations Cup in Bratislavia. Earlier this year, Geoff’s dedication to his sport was recognised when he was awarded the prestigious award of BSJA Show Jumper of the Month.

Originally from Accrington, Geoff started riding at the age of nine at his local riding school where he was soon to demonstrate his ability. He now lives in Nantwich, Cheshire with his wife, Julie, and five children.

Dr Heather Owen, Academic Team Leader in Equine Science at the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, said: “We are delighted that Geoff is coming to Brackenhurst to allow us to benefit from his experience and particularly look forward to an educational and entertaining evening’’.
                          

ENDS

Notes for editors: Tickets are available from December 2006: Adults £20, children under 16, £17.

More information can be found at www.ntu.ac.uk/ares/equestrian_centre or by contacting Zoe Cobb, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre, on Tel: 01636 817026, or via email: zoe.cobb@ntu.ac.uk

For more information please contact:

Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk

Or Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk