IF you want to see demonstrations of the latest thinking in natural horsemanship at first hand, the place to be is the North of England Christmas Equine Show.

The event is being staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, on the weekend of December 1 and 2.

Charlotte Dennis, Dave Stuart and Neil Pye will be explaining the Pat Parelli method of teaching horses, using communication psychology and understanding, rather than fear, intimidation and mechanics.

No artificial aids, such as draw reins, martingales or severe bits, are used. Visitors who watch the Parelli method usually come away wanting to know more.

There will also be fast and exciting entertainment in the form of the all-action sport of rugby crossed with basketball on horseback.

The British Horseball Association, formed in 1991, promotes this highly spectacular sport, a game which improves skill and discipline between horse and rider.

Another new equestrian skill, the art of vaulting - or gymnastics on horseback - will be demonstrated by the British Equestrian Vaulting Team using their 18hh horse, Great Limelight - more affectionately known as Tiny.

Show jumping is also on the programme and up-and-coming star Jackson Reed-Stephenson, a 21-year-old from Harrogate who has been riding since he was two, will be using three horses to demonstrate how he teaches his horses.

He has a string of show jumping successes behind him, including his recent Grand Prix win at the Olympia qualifying show at Towerlands in Essex.

In addition there will be more than 100 trade stands, plus lecture theatre seminars including Roy Burek of Charles Owen & Co on head safety wear, Robert Eustace discussing laminitis, Tricia Nassau on lorinery, while homeopathy for horses will be explained by the Crossgates Homeopathy Clinic.

Sponsors for the fair, which is supported by the Yorkshire Post, include Battle Hayward & Bower, Baileys Horse Feeds, Intervet, Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Charles Owen & Co, BETA and Equestrian Arena Design & Construction.

Tickets for the show are adults £7, under 16s/OAPs £5, family ticket (two adults and two children) £22, under 5s free.

There are discounts for advance bookings on 09067 533500 or 0113 2388 702. A group of ten adults gets one ticket free.

For general enquiries, ring Contour Exhibitions and Events Ltd on 01884 860650.

l Five £22 family tickets for the event can be won by answering the following questions. -

Who is the local show jumper who will be entertaining in the main ring at the event ?

Name two of the sponsors.

What is the nick-name of the horse used by the British Equestrian Vaulting team ?

Entries please to the Darlington and Stockton Times, PO Box 14, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF by Monday, November 19.

First five correct entries out of the postbag will win