After the hugely successful inaugural event held at the Odyssey Arena in December 2003 it is great to hear that not only are they returning in December 2004 but they have an increased programme with a prize fund for jumping events of GBP250,000 on offer.

Nicky Dunn, chief executive of the Odyssey Arena comments that "The Horse Show in 2003 was the biggest production ever staged at Odyssey Arena. The event looked superb, ran smoothy and the sport and entertainment were truly world class. We believe the BIIHS will become an eagerly awaited highlight in the Arena calendar".

Those who take their seat in the Odyssey Arena will be seeing a huge programme which will include International Showjumping classes featuring the best showjumpers in the world, plus an Irish National 6&7 year old Championship, Young Rider National Championship, 148cms Pony Championship and the final of the Indoor National Grand Prix League. There will also be the Mountain and Moorland Supreme Irish Championship, which will be the show's first foray into the showing classes and of course the entertainment will again be superb and will include the last chance to see the amazing Jean-Francois Pignon and his horses as he tops the star studded programme of displays.

The opening ceremony will see the best of Irish dancing and haunting vocal charm of Gloria Mulhall and Liz Madden of the Irish group Rua.

Theresa McKenna, event director of Equestrian Sports Promotion who gave birth to this fabulous concept show told us that they were delighted with the response to last year's show and "it has encouraged us to expand even more this year. The show we are putting together will be a new breed of Irish show with the best riders in the sport together with outstanding family entertainment. I think we are well on our way in our aim to confirm Belfast and Northern Ireland's position on the equestrian calendar".

There will be 14 international showjumping classes with 35 invited riders from seven national federations plus Ireland. Showjumping will be the backbone of this year’s Belfast Indoor International Horse Show, with some 35 invited riders from eight nations, including Ireland, competing in at least two international classes at each of the seven performances.

Jessica Kurten, Peter Charles, Billy Twomey and Conor Swail are likely to be among the home favourites competing for prize money totalling £250,000 over the four days. German stars Ludger Beerbaum and Frankie Sloothak, Swiss riders rider Markus Fuchs, Belgian Ludo Phillaeparts and Brazilian super star Rodrigo Pessoa also have places reserved for them.

“A quarter of a million pounds over 14 classes makes this a very rich show,” Theresa McKenna said, “But if you want the very best it would be insulting not to offer them the best incentive.”

Well established British stars John and Michael Whitaker, the up and coming member of the family, Robert, together with Nick Skelton and Robert Smith could well head up the contingent from over the water. “A Fantastic Show in 2003. Where's my invite for 2004? 2003 firmly put the Belfast International Horse Show on the World's equestrian calendar.” said Nick Skelton.

“We decided very early on to make the show ‘invitation only’, said Mrs McKenna.”It certainly paid off in year one and many of the riders asked to be invited again in 2004.”

Financial backing for The Belfast Indoor International Horse Show is already very strong, following the lead of the Irish Sports Council, which has tripled its 2003 backing. Sponsorship commitment is already comparable with the previous year with some 29 companies and individuals already committed, while other are still under negotiation. Only a few opportunities are still open.

Show director Alan Beaumont is the man who holds the reins for the day to day running of the Belfast Indoor International Horse Show. He is a former international showjumper with a background of project management and accounting, who believes that showjumping and horse shows generally “need to be dragged screaming into the 21st Century, that audiences need to be entertained and sponsors get value for money.”

Tickets for this year’s programme are on sale now, with an initial offer of “Kids Go Free” - two children with two paying adults at all Matinee performances. Tickets for the Belfast Indoor International Horse show are on sale now. Tickets are available from Odyssey Box Office: 028 9073 9074, Ticket Master outlets nationwide or Ticket Master 24-Hour Hotline: 0870 243 4455.

For those planning on spending the festive season anywhere near Ireland make sure you include this on your itinerary and get in early for your tickets to ensure you don't miss out - this year will be huge and will be the very best way to start celebrating the Christmas/New Year season and no doubt the Trade Stands will be a good way to do some Christmas shopping for the "horse mad" in your family.

Make sure to put their web site into your favourites so that you can keep an eye on things as they unfold for what is going to be a great showjumping and entertainment show for horse enthusiasts world wide.