The TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show is held annually in the Echo Arena during the Festive Season.

The staging of the event at this time of year adds a real party atmosphere to the four days of excellent show jumping and dressage featuring the elite of the equestrian world.

Visitors also get to enjoy a programme that includes the always popular Shetland pony Grand National along with highly competitive junior show jumping events.

Sandwiched between the show jumping and dressage are spectacular stunt acts and live musical performances.

The next show will be held 28 to 31 December 2019.

It will be staged by equestrian promoter Nina Barbour, who manages the annual Bolesworth International in Cheshire each June.

Spectacular - and all under one roof

The TheraPlate UK 2018 Liverpool International Horse Show was thrilling.

Having been cut short in 2017 by a major fire, nearby, the Show returned to the Echo Arena more spectacular than ever.

This year, the event was a four day mix of top show jumping action, freestyle dressage to music and enjoyable family fun.

There was something for everyone to shout, support and marvel at.

For the first time dressage formed part of the event and it was a treat to see the top team of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro demonstrate why they are a world beating partnership.

Valegro is 17 this year, but still a powerhouse of a horse who greatly enjoys the limelight and the rapturous audience response to his routine.

The Inter 1 Freestyle Dressage to Music class featured a premium line-up of competitors including Charlotte Dujardin on her talented Grand Prix prospect Florentina VI and fellow Olympian, Sophie Wells on C Fatal Attraction.

Watching top horses and riders in action, and at close quarters, is a great experience.

It is incredible how these riders make the most difficult movements look so effortless.

A programme of fun, thrills and nail biting excitement

The showjumping here is always extremely competitive and nail bitingly exciting.

The Show attracts leading riders including Michael Whittaker, Billy Twomey, John Whittaker and Robert Smith as well as the stars of the future such as Harry Charles.

I saw the Under 25s Show Jumping, which was full of thrills and surprisingly few spills considering the height of the fences and the sharp turns the riders took to shave off valuable seconds in the jump-off.

My heart was in my mouth most of the time.Geoff Billington, who compered the event, gave witty as well as expert commentary on each round, giving the audience an insider's view of the proceedings.

Over the four days there was also the Puissance one of the best loved and most famous of showjumping competitions featuring the huge, red wall.

The Mini Major Pairs where adult and child, both in fancy dress, form a team and each jump a course, is definitely a crowd pleaser – especially as it's against the clock.

Spectators also witnessed the world premiere of the Gilles Fortier equestrian spectacle 'Phoenix'.

This was a dynamic mix of speed, strength and breathtaking skill from the stunt riders and horses.

The presentation featured pyrotechnics, acrobatics and beautiful choreography that literally lit up the arena.

By contrast, the Shetland Pony Grand National was fun packed frenzy.

To see the hairy little Shetlands, with their child jockeys in racing silks whizz round a miniature course was as exciting as the big race itself, and drew huge roars from the stands.

As well as the equines, there is Horsepower FMX, the freestyle motorcross team, who are fearless and incredible.

I could barely watch as bikes flew at skyscraper height through the air, bright against the black of the arena, with riders standing on the handlebars, the seats or doing somersaults.

Their skill and daredevilry was amazing.

Music was provided in fine blockbusting style by Rick Parfitt Jnrand the RPJ Band throughout the Show.

Rick is full of energy and gets the crowds rocking in the aisles.

There is plenty of horsey shopping, eats and drinks to be had at the show too. I enjoyed browsing round the many stalls in the comfort of the clean and well maintained Echo Arena.

The collecting ring is virtually in the centre of the shopping area, so you get a really good look at the horses and riders warming up whilst you're searching for bargains.

The Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show : 12 to 16 June 2019

The Equerry Bolesworth International is one of the UK's premier summertime equestrian occasions.

The five day event features a mix of stunning showjumping including the Bolesworth International Grand Prix, a thrilling puissance high jump competition and top class dressage.

Useful links

www.liverpoolhorseshow.com