THE owner of a Malvern equestrian arena says she is looking forward to bumper entries at a showing show (May).

The event is being held at the Hillview Arena and Livery Yard at Hanley Swan and one of the most popular classes will be the racehorse to riding horse – thanks to the efforts of associations such as the Thoroughbred and Retired Racehorse Association, which concentrates on rehoming racehorses at the end of their competitive life on the racetrack.

Other popular classes include in hand coloured, ridden cob and the ridden veteran class for horses aged 15 and over, ridden hunter, cob and maxi cob.

“This is the second showing show we have held here on the new arena, although we have put on dressage and showjumping events,” said owner Sophie Anne Hooper.

“Installing the arena was a big investment forus but it is reaping the benefits as people love the venue.Wehad 50 entries for the last showing show but I expect that to double tomorrow to at least 100.”

She expects dozens of youngsters who are members of pony clubs to enter the best turned out and the pony club/riding clubhorse.

“It gives owners the chance to really make their pony look the best and show off all their hard work,” said Sophie Anne, who is somewhat of a champion equestrian herself, having qualified her horse Heartprint for the working championships at the RoyalInternational Horse show in July.

This will be her fifth appearance at the prestigious show and she also rode for the GB showjumping team in Guernsey before she had her two boys William, aged six and Oliver, four.

“ I am really excited about this opportunity and can’t wait,” she said.

Sophie and her family have owned Hillview Arena and Livery Stables for more than 30 years although it was well known as a riding school before Sophie took the brave decision to move away from running a specific riding school into livery, dressage and showing competitions by installing a 60m by 35m Leisureride surface arena.

“This is available for hire and is a popular venue for the Malvern Pony Club and Malvern Hills Riding Club for clinics and training, which I teach,” said Sophie Anne, 42.

“When I had my two sons it got a bit much trying to combine running a riding school with giving the boys the time and attention they deserve. So people bring their horses to me and I teach and coach them here.

“I was determined to make my late father Charles Hooper proud of me because he and my mother Mary Anne began the venture more than 30 years ago and my mother is still very involved. But it is a family affair and my brother also has a huge role.”

The unaffiliated show charges an entry fee of £8 per class. There are three TARRA qualifiers and four TSR qualifiers. Judges are Sue Hitchings and Liz Launders.

If you would like to enter, call 01684 310745 or 07968 172440.