Tag Archives: Richard Waygood

Eventing/H.T.

Paris Olympics Eventing Medallist to Participate in Masterclass at London International Horse Show

Paris Olympics Team Eventing Gold Medal winner and Individual Eventing Bronze Medal winner, Laura Collett MBE, will join equestrian influencer, Megan Elphick, in the return of the Grassroots to Glory masterclass at London International Horse Show, led by British Equestrian’s Eventing Performance Manager, Richard Waygood MBE. Part of the LeMieux Masterclass Series, this very popular event will take place on Friday 20 December in The New Horizon Plastics London Arena.

The 45-minute session promises to be a highlight of the Show and has proved very popular in the past. It will offer a comprehensive exploration of the path to competitive success, tailored to inspire and educate riders of all levels, from aspiring amateurs to seasoned competitors.

Spectators can expect an engaging and informative experience, featuring demonstrations of advanced techniques as well as practical, step-by-step exercises that can be implemented at home. Drawing from his extensive career, Richard Waygood will guide the audience through the essential stages of building a successful competition partnership. From establishing strong fundamentals to refining techniques and making pivotal advancements in competition, Waygood will share invaluable insights and personal tips throughout the class.

Aside from serving as the British Equestrian Federation’s Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager, Richard’s accomplishments include competing at prestigious competitions, including the Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials, a distinguished tenure as Riding Master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, as well as being awarded an MBE for his services to equestrianism in 2009.

Speaking about the upcoming masterclass, Waygood remarked, “I’m delighted about the return of the Grassroots to Glory masterclass at London International Horse Show this year. Last year’s session with Laura and Megan was a fantastic blend of fun, innovation, and valuable learning for our audience. With the excitement of British Eventing’s recent success at the Paris Olympics, I’m eager to share new insights and experiences that will make this year’s masterclass even more impactful.”

Laura Collett, a familiar face at London International, returns to the Show fresh from her remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she secured both team gold and individual bronze with her outstanding partner, London 52. In addition to her Olympic triumphs, Laura has enjoyed a stellar season which included victory in the CCI4* at Burnham Market. As the current World No. 7 in international eventing, her participation in this masterclass presents a rare and invaluable opportunity for the Show’s audience to learn from one of the sport’s most elite riders.

Megan Elphick, known for inspiring thousands through her online chronicles of the grassroots journey, will bring her unique perspective and relatability to the masterclass. Her participation will see her demonstrating the foundational elements of horse education alongside Richard and Laura, bringing practical knowledge to life for the audience.

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director, said, “We are delighted to welcome back Richard, Laura, and Megan to the Show this year. This is a very popular masterclass and its inclusion in the LeMieux Masterclass Series presents our audience with a great opportunity to access world-class knowledge and insight.”

The Grassroots to Glory Masterclass takes place on Friday 20 December at 13:35 in The New Horizons Plastics Arena. More information about London International Horse Show, the full LeMieux Masterclass series, and how to buy tickets can be found here.

For more information, please contact: Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., London International Horse Show, Revolution Sports, Training/Clinics

Megan Elphick and Richard Waygood’s Eventing Masterclass Returns to London International 2024

Megan Elphick taking part in last year’s Masterclass at London International Horse Show 2023 @LondonInternationalHorseShow/PeterNixon

The organisers of London International Horse Show are delighted to announce the first in the LeMieux Masterclass series for this year’s Show, which takes place at ExCeL London from 18-22 December 2024.

The eventing-focused masterclass, Grassroots to Glory, will take place on Friday 20 December in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, and will feature world-renowned coach Richard Waygood MBE alongside YouTube personality and equestrian Megan Elphick. The pair will be joined by a top event rider to be selected this Summer after the Paris Olympics.

Bringing the outdoors indoors, the session will focus on how to improve cross-country riding and technique across a range of obstacles and challenges in an arena setting. Perfect for picking up tips to practice over the long winter months, coach Richard Waygood will use a mix of poles and indoor cross-country fences provided by Jump for Joy to design a series of exercises suitable for all levels, aimed at improving confidence, capability, and technique. The Masterclass provides the perfect way for eventing fans to keep their training momentum up over the winter; Grassroots to Glory will showcase the best of both top-level talent and grassroots graft.

Currently the British Equestrian Federation’s Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager, Richard Waygood has a string of achievements, including riding at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials and at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, and his long tenure as Riding Master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, alongside an MBE for services to equestrianism.

YouTuber Megan Elphick will be making her third appearance in a Masterclass at the London International, following packed-out performances in last year’s session with Laura Collett, and 2022’s session with Pippa Funnell.

Richard Waygood stated: “I’m delighted to be coming back to London International Horse Show this year with Grassroots to Glory after we had such a great time last year. Hopefully the crowd around the New Horizon Plastics London Arena will be inspired by this Summer’s sport and enjoy a new take on cross-country training. We had great fun in 2023 with Meg and Laura Collett, so I’m looking forward to pushing Meg out of her comfort zone again this year!”

Megan Elphick added: “I can’t wait to return to London this year for another LeMieux Masterclass – it was brilliant to see such a great turnout in 2023! Richard managed to make last year’s exercises applicable to both me and Laura Collett, which is an impressive gap to bridge… so definitely one to come and watch, regardless of your level! See you there.”

Elsewhere at the Show, Megan will also be making two appearances on the Live Zone for Meet & Greet sessions, on Thursday 19 December at 17:30 and Friday 20 December at 10:00. Both Meet & Greets will be first come, first served, open to that day’s ticket holders.

For more information, please contact: Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Training/Clinics

Olympic Medallist and YouTube Star to Headline London Int’l Masterclass Hosted by Richard Waygood

Photo: London International Horse Show

The organisers of The London International Horse Show have announced the next instalment of the LeMieux Masterclass Series.

Taking place on Sunday 17 December in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, world-renowned coach Richard Waygood MBE will present Grassroots to Glory, starring Olympic medallist Laura Collett MBE and YouTube personality and equestrian Megan Elphick. The masterclass will be a 360-degree review of achieving competition success, aimed at both amateurs and experienced riders alike.

The 45-minute session will feature a demonstration of top-level techniques broken down into stepping-stone exercises for the audience to take home and put into action. Waygood will guide the audience through an exploration of producing a successful competition partnership all the way from establishing the essentials and improving technique, to making those all-important steps up the levels – illuminated by a few of his own tips and tricks learnt across his long and successful career.

Currently the British Equestrian Federation’s Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager, Waygood has a string of achievements, including riding at Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials, his long tenure as Riding Master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, and an MBE for services to equestrianism. Waygood will be joined by Laura Collett and Megan Elphick, who will be putting into action his words of wisdom.

Olympic medallist and multiple Champion Laura Collett is no stranger to the London International. Having previously starred in the Show’s Dressage Unwrapped Masterclass in 2022, Laura returns to the venue on a high following her brilliant win at the 5* Luhmühlen Horse Trials aboard London 52. The chance to learn from Laura – one of the brightest stars of international eventing – is sure to be a real treat for the Show’s audience.

YouTuber Megan Elphick joins the Masterclass following a popular appearance in last year’s Winter Survival Guide Masterclass with Pippa Funnell. Megan, who inspires a huge number of followers by sharing her grassroots journey in her vlogs, will be helping Richard and Laura demonstrate the essentials of good foundations to a horse’s education.

Waygood said, “I’m really pleased to be bringing this LeMieux Masterclass to the London International Horse Show this year. It has been brilliant to be so closely involved with the Show’s Masterclasses in previous years, and with the introduction of the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, it’s fantastic to be able to put these demos at the heart of the Show. Laura and Megan are great fun – and it’s looking to be a great line-up!”

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director, said, “We are delighted to be welcoming back Richard, Laura, and Megan to the London International. It’s a real pleasure to be able to put top-level riders in front of our keen audience to share their knowledge. We know there is a strong appetite to learn and the LeMieux Masterclass series will deliver in spades.”

More information about The London International Horse Show, including how to buy tickets, can be found here.

For more information, please contact:
Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com