This year's Ashford Farm CSI**** Bolesworth International is delighted to announce an exciting new venture that will be among the highlights of this year's event from June 18-21.

Apart from major attractions like world-class showjumping featuring many leading stars, a dressage to music competition that includes two current Great Britain team members, and an Express Eventing competition, huge anticipation surrounds Bolesworth's first elite sports horse auction.

It is rare for a British equestrian event to parade such exciting talent, but Bolesworth owner and show president Nina Barbour is committed to showcasing what will be the sport's next generation.

And with Bolesworth's title sponsor Ashford Farm firmly established in northern Belgium among Europe's most successful trading stables, Friday June 19 will be a red-letter day.

Taking place next to Bolesworth's international arena, viewing will be by appointment or via video on Bolesworth International's official website www.bolesworthinternational.com when 12 yearlings can be seen in loose action and jumping. Pre-registered bids can be made, and bids on the day, with admission ticket.

The official preview parade will be at 1pm on June 19, with the auction itself starting at 9.15pm under the Bolesworth floodlights. There will be a VIP area, with the auctioneer confirmed as Andrew Nolan, of Goffs, in association with Wright Marshall.

The event is being sponsored by IFX, who will provide competitive rates for currency exchange, with potential buyers expected from throughout England and continental Europe.

The elite sports horse auction has been warmly welcomed by Ashford Farm managing director Enda Carroll, who believes it is a major new addition to the British equestrian calendar that should be warmly embraced.

"These young horses are the future stars and future champions," he said. "People can expect to see some of the most exciting and hand-picked talent around.

"People will be looking for correct models and blood-lines, good physique and good legs - everything we would all look for in a showjumper. There is going to be a following from all over Britain, I am sure, and some European customers coming also.

"This kind of thing is quite commonplace on the continent in Europe, so it is brilliant that Nina is bringing this to England. It's very important.

"It is a great privilege to be able to be involved in such an organisation. What Nina is doing for the industry in Britain and the sport in Britain is incredible. It is bringing it to another level."

The Ashford Farm CSI**** Bolesworth International takes place in the spectacular grounds of 18th Century Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire, and will run at four-star level for the first time. The event will include the usual Bolesworth standard of hospitality, and an extensive shopping village surrounding the International warm-up arena.

Confirmed entries include Australian GCT star Edwina Tops-Alexander, London 2012 Great Britain team gold medallist Nick Skelton, American show jumpers Lauren Hough and Laura Kraut plus the likes of members the Whitaker dynasty including defending Bolesworth grand prix champion William Whitaker.

World-class showjumping apart, Bolesworth 2015 will also include a puissance, in addition to a pop concert featuring leading British band Scouting For Girls and a Gladiators competition that will see stars of the cult ITV series taking part.

It will be a fantastic four days of entertainment, with large crowds expected, while camping facilities are available on-site, and live streaming on Bolesworth's website will include all the top show's action, sports and lifestyle interviews, plus the elite sports horse auction.