Set your 2015 Eventing season off on the best foot possible with a day at the 2015 International Eventing Forum, a day that has become an absolute “must attend” for eventing enthusiasts of all levels of skill and ambition!

Organised by Irish eventing devotees Jean Mitchell and Eric Smiley, the IEF takes place at Hartpury College in Gloucester, which is an easy and inexpensive trip via Birmingham or Bristol airports from Dublin, Cork or Belfast.

With speakers such as Mark Todd, David O’Connor, Ian Woodhead, Mike Etherington-Smith, Isobel Wessels and John Ledingham (to name but a few) having shared their wisdom with attendees over the previous few years, IEF organisers were always going to have a challenge to better what has gone before. But with none other than Andrew Nicholson agreeing to be the “key speaker” for the Afternoon Session, 2015 looks set to be one of the biggest and best International Eventing Forums, so far.

The title for the 2015 Forum mirrors the title of Andrews’s new book – “Focused” – and attendees can look forward to gaining invaluable training insights from the winner of Burghley CCI**** in 2012, 2013 and 2014, to help you to focus on the new season ahead.

However, Andrew is not the only “master of the equestrian sport” that attendees can look forward to learning from.

Session 1 starts with Christoph Hess – FEI International Dressage and Eventing Judge – who will talk about “The Not So Good Dressage Horse”, helping riders to understand what to focus on, from the judges’ perspective. In

Session 2, Christoph will give invaluable insights into the *NEW* generation of FEI Eventing Dressage Tests, with plenty of time for attendees to pose any questions they may have.

Session 3 will see Hugh Suffern MVB, MRCVS – the Irish Team Vet – join up with leading National Hunt Trainer Charlie Longsdon to discuss the vital topic “Fittening the Event Horse – how to give them the very best opportunity”!

The 2015 International Eventing Forum will take place at Hartpury College on Monday 2 February from 10am to 5pm. Make sure you don’t miss out by putting the date in your diary today!

Tickets: £45 each if purchased by end Dec 2014, £50 per ticket in advance, £55 on the door. £45 for Students (in advance), £40 for groups of more than 20.

More information: www.internationaleventingforum.com; Follow IEF on twitter at www.twitter.com/eventingforum and on facebook atwww.facebook.com/IntEventForum or to book tickets call Hartpury on 0044 1452 700283.

Photo: Andrew Nicholson and Avebury head the Burghley prize giving for the third year in a row. Photo courtesy of e-venting.co.uk

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2013 Eventing season, was presented with a silver salver by HSBC Sponsorship Manager Kate Fullam at the London International Horse Show at Olympia (GBR) (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton).

New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson has collected his second consecutive US$50,000 bonus after an extraordinary 2013 Eventing season as uninterrupted leader of the HSBC Rankings.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) has netted the 50,000 USD bonus as the HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2012 season, after holding on to the world number one spot since claiming team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Pictured right: Andrew Nicholson (NZL), HSBC Rankings leader at the end of the 2012 Eventing season, was presented with his prize by FEI First Vice President John McEwen at the London International Horse Show at Olympia (GBR) today. (Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton)

Nicholson, aged 51, was presented with his prize at the London International Horse Show in Olympia (GBR) today by John McEwen, First Vice President of the FEI.

The New Zealander kicked off 2012 by finishing seventh at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011/2012 series, and then secured fourth at the following leg, the Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by E.ON. He went on to captain the New Zealand bronze medal team at London 2012, his sixth Olympic Games, finishing fourth individually with Nereo.

Just one month later he rode Avebury to a third victory in 17 years at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the final leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011/2012 season. He then won the opening leg of the new series at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), again on Libby Sellars’ Nereo, sealing his lead in the HSBC Rankings by a comfortable margin over Olympic team silver medallist, William Fox-Pitt (GBR).

Nicholson first came to England as a 19-year-old to work with racehorses. His first CCI4* was Badminton in 1984, earning him a place on the New Zealand Olympic team at Los Angeles. He has ridden at a further five Olympic Games since then, winning team silver in 1992 and team bronzes in 1996 and 2012. He also won team gold at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games™ on Spinning Rhombus, and team and individual bronze at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010, again on Nereo.

“It is a fantastic feeling ending 2012 as leader of the HSBC Rankings,” he said. “I’ve been close for the last two years, but this year has been exceptional for me. I worked hard on my fitness last winter and this put me on top form for the season. I’ve also been extremely lucky with my horses Nereo, Mr Cruise Control, Calico Joe, Avebury and Qwanza.”

Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship, said: “Andrew Nicholson is well known for being one of the hardest working and naturally talented Eventing athletes. He meticulously planned his 2012 Eventing season, producing fantastic results that have kept him at the top of the HSBC Rankings to win this special reward.

“He has also become an icon for many young generations of Eventing athletes, and we are delighted to be able to recognise his achievements this year as leader of the HSBC Rankings.”