The Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show is held in the Echo Arena, on the city's dockside, over three days during the Festive Season.
The Festive Season staging of the event adds a real party atmosphere to three days of top notch show jumping featuring the elite of the equestrian world.
Visitors also get to enjoy a programme that includes a "Grand National" of Shetland ponies and highly competitive junior show jumping events.
There is also spectacular stunt acts, performances by a range of musical entertainers and a range of equestrian retailers.
The show is being organised by equestrian promoter Nina Barbour, who manages the annual Bolesworth International in Cheshire each June.
The 2017 event
The 2017 horse show will be held on Friday 29 to Sunday 31 December 2017.
www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
Equestrian New Year Party time at the Echo Arena
Having been hooked on the Bolesworth International Horse Show for some years now, I was very keen to get to the Liverpool event, as it is organised by the same Nina Barbour team.
It certainly had a lot to live up to – how can an indoor event in winter compare to a summer event set in stunning scenery in the heart of the Cheshire countryside?
However, I am pleased to say that Liverpool International Horse Show exceeded my expectations.
As an indoor equestrian event, it's the best.
A three-day mix of entertainment
The event is a three day mix of top show jumping action and enjoyable family fun.
There is something here for everyone to shout, support and marvel at.
As with Bolesworth, the show jumping is world class and the skill of the riders and athleticism of the horses so exciting.
The arena is compact, and sitting in the stands, you feel very close to the action: you can smell the sweat, appreciate the incredible height of the jumps and hear the thunder of hooves as horses fly past and the crash of poles when a mistake has been made.
Horsepower FMX, the freestyle motocross team we saw, were heart-in-mouth incredible 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 incredible.
These youngsters are a real joy to watch
By contrast, the Shetland Pony Grand National was a joy.
To see the hairy little Shetlands, complete with 9-13 year old jockeys in their coloured silks whizz round a miniature steeplechase course was as exciting as the big race itself, and drew huge roars from the crowd.
During the Extreme Driving Challenge, drivers steering teams of four horses pulling carriages of three people, managed to navigate a course that was so tight, at such speed that what they were achieving seemed impossible.
It was thrilling to watch and as it was against the clock, the crowd really got behind the teams, loudly cheering them on.
All this and the music
Music was provided over the three days by Abba tribute band Revival, who got everyone up dancing to the timeless Abba sound and Collabro, the world's number one Musical Theatre boy band and a Britain's Got Talent winner.
International show jumping of the very highest calibre
However, the stars here are the showjumpers and their horses when competing for a £160,000 total prize fund.
Taking part were five Whitakers, gold medallist Scott Brash and Ireland's best, Billy Twomey.
The Puissance
The Puissance on New Year's Eve, a high jump competition, featuring the famous big red wall is the highlight of the show, and rightly show as it really pushes horses and riders to their limits.
Something for the horse owner and rider
There is plenty of shopping and fine dining to be had at the show too, particularly for the horse owner and rider.
I enjoyed browsing round the many stalls in the comfort of the clean, compact and well maintained Echo Arena.
The collecting ring, where the horses and riders warm up, is virtually in the centre of the shopping area and so you can view the horses getting ready for their classes.
Feeling a part of the action
With such a lot going on, at close quarters too, you really do feel part of the action.
Another must-experience event in the equestrian calendar from Nina Barbour and the Bolesworth team.
Bolesworth offers the best show jumping in beautiful surroundings
Bolesworth International, every June, is a high spot in the UK's showjumping calendar writes Ann Mealor.
Located in beautiful Cheshire countryside with the Barbour family's historic castle as the backdrop, it offers everything to please the equine enthusiast.
However, the event also caters for families and those looking for an entertaining day out in beautiful, rural surroundings.
The amphitheatre style main arena has set new standards in showjumping and attracts competitors at the top of their profession, putting Bolesworth firmly on the global stage.
The four day event features a mix of exciting showjumping including the Bolesworth International Grand Prix with a prize fund of £60,000 and a thrilling Puissance (an equestrian high jump competition), that features a dominant, giant, red wall that is raised in height after each round.
The speed classes against the clock are fast and furious, and the Fancy Dress Mini Major Challenge where the kids pair up with the pros is great fun.
The 2017 event, to be held 14 to 18 June 2017, will include and international water festival.