It’s an ambitious prospect but Bill Alexander believes he has came up with an unique idea to interest spectators in showjumping with a new competition taking place at Gleneagles later this month.

Sportjumping has top level prize money on offer across the various classes and Bill hopes to attract all levels of riders to the event.

Using a handicapping system, the sportjumping competition will allow amateur riders to be competitive against professional riders and with a form guide available before the event, and on-site bookmaker, Bill hopes the competition will create a fun atmosphere, something he believes showjumping events have been lacking recently.

“I used to be chairman of the BSJA Scottish Champions of Scotland Show and one year organised a bookie to come in to create a bit more atmosphere,” said Bill Alexander, an amateur show jumper and lawyer.

“People came in off the street to watch. We had some coverage in The Glasgow Herald, it did create more of an atmosphere and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.”

In order to have betting at the competition a form guide and start list needs to be produced. “The showjumpers were slow to get their entries in as they are so used to entering on the day, but the event riders were much more organised,” explained Bill.

With four classes planned – 85cm, 1m, 1.15m and 1.25m – the decision to drop the 1.25m class came about due to lack of support.

“Even with a first prize of £1000 there were only five entries on the closing day and the decision was made to cancel this event. We will spread the prize money across the other three classes,” explained Bill.

“We limited entries to 25 in each class and both the 85cm and 1m classes are full. It’s important to encourage the grass roots riders and I want it to be fair, ethical and fun.

“Under rule BSJA rule 72.2, members can’t jump at unaffiliated shows with prize money of more than £10,” he said. “But this isn’t an unaffiliated show jumping competition — it’s something completely different.”

Rules for this event have been devised by Bill, who has an agreement with the BSJA for its members to compete. Experienced riders will be given a time handicap, enabling amateurs to be more competitive against them.

“The handicap relies on riders being honest and informing us of BSJA or British Eventing winnings, the less information given the severer the handicap,” added Bill.

With riders jumping one round against the clock, each fence knocked down adds time onto their round and their handicap time will be added on at the end. Each rider will know their handicap before they start and Bill envisages there will be between one and four seconds handicap for the whole of the competition and the favourite will go last.

“We’re going to have to work out the handicapping as it gets started, and I think the favourite going last will add to the excitement. Part of this is getting the public to pay to watch and for that you have to have entertainment,” he added.

“You’ll need to be a good rider to win. Robert Canney is the course builder, and it’ll be run as a technical speed class to test the riders and entertain the public. The job of the handicaper is to make everyone equal and in theory, if we get it right everyone will finish on the same time.”

Future plans include live streaming from the event direct to computers at home which will in turn link up with online betting. There’s also interviews and profiles of the riders prior to the competition planned and depending on how the inaugural event is received there’s plans to expand into England, possibly run outdoors on grass at agricultural shows and in the future they hope to work closely with the BSJA.

To ensure the rules are followed Bill has two senior BSJA judges who will judge the competition. The first few events will be run as non-commercial and all profits from the betting going to Sport Relief.

With £150 on offer for first prize in the 85cm class, £300 for the 1m class and £500 to the winner of the 1.15m class, competition will be fierce, however there will be prize money down to 10th place – so will riders play a percentage game and go for a placing or gamble for a chance at the top prize?

To find out, come to Gleneagles on Saturday, February 27, it starts at 1pm with admission £5 and children free.