YOUR Horse Live – the ‘must visit’ event of the year hit new highs in 2011 with increased visitors, more exhibitors and demonstrations that led to packed stands.

With visitors flocking to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from first thing in the morning, this year’s Your Horse Live was one of the best ever.

Advanced ticket sales were up for the third year in a row with thousands of horse lovers from all over the country gathering for this winter equestrian extravaganza.

Top names provided exciting and enlightening demonstrations and included dressage star Laura Bechtolsheimer discussing how to improve a horse’s way of going with riders Jade Vale and Katherine Boyd as well as helping young dressage star of the future Charlotte Ward.

Event rider Oliver Townend and show jumper Geoff Billington shared their training secrets with plenty of laughs along the way, their fun-filled partnership now well established and proving a real crowd pleaser.

A dressage to music master class was provided by Anna Ross-Davies and Roland Tong while the rollercoaster ride that is Rockin’ Horse saw the incredible stunt team put on a heart-stopping performance.

Visitor Jo Blyth said: “Your Horse Live was just brilliant, we come every year and it just gets better and better.”

Debbie Harris of HorseHage said: “The stand was packed both days and there was so much interest shown in the product range it really is an excellent event.”

In the Dodson and Horrell Arena a wide range of demonstrations and displays included Jason Webb and Charlie Unwin explaining how to start a horse and understanding what goes through both horse and human’s minds.

While the team at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre provided a host of information on how the organisation helps ex-racehorses turn to a new discipline including eventing.

Michael Bacon of TopSpec said: “We were incredibly busy with the stand bursting with visitors and we had so much interest in our competition to win a weekend break to London and tickets to War Horse, it was brilliant.”

Trainer Claire Lilley showcased how to lunge and long-rein safely and effectively while Sylvia Loch explained how the principles of classical riding can benefit any horse and rider, from Novice to Grand Prix.

At Allbed Sally Leech said: “We were delighted with sales, orders and interest, the stand was busy as soon as the event opened.

Leading show judge and rider, Lucy Killingbeck provided a fascinating insight into how to catch the judge’s eye and improve your results in the show ring.

Before Carol Mailer provided fool proof show jumping exercises to try at home, to improve accuracy, timing and balance and Lee Rutter gave an insight into Western riding to delight the audience.

Rachel Griffiths of Boss Horseboxes said: “We were exceptionally busy throughout the two days and very pleased with the interest shown.”

Laura Aitken of Parelli Natural Horsemanship added: “There has been a good flow of visitors to the stand over the two days and we were able to promote our 2011 Parelli Celebration DVD, a great present for Christmas. We were also delighted with the number of new people we signed up for the Savvy Club.”

The Breeds Village is always a ‘must visit’ area of Your Horse Live and with an array of rare breeds, this year proved once again how popular these wonderful animals are.

Without doubt Your Horse Live 2011 was an event not to be missed.

Wendy McCaughan of Kan Teq summed it up: “It was a thumping good two days, just wonderful.”