weekend when this year's world champion rider, Joop Stokkel from Holland, will show his stuff at a Fun Show at the Botanical Gardens.

Mr. Stokkel will be just one of the attractions at the show which will be staged by the Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

And the BEF is hoping those who have no knowledge of riding will come out and watch the various events -- many of which are designed for a more fun aspect than the normal equestrian disciplines. However Mr. Stokkel is the main attraction and he will ride at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday and 1.15 p.m. on Sunday.

Nicknamed the `Miracle Rider', Mr. Stokkel won the 1998 World Riding for Disabled Championships staged in Hartpury, England. What is even more remarkable about Mr. Stokkel, who only has one complete arm and one complete leg following a severe accident he suffered at seven-years-old, is the fact that he only took up riding in the 1990s. The Dutchman however first exploded on the sports scene in the 1980s when he began is career as a world-class swimmer. He represented Holland at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics where he won two gold medals and a silver. In the Barcelona Paralympics four years later he went even better winning three gold medals and two silver medals.

Following his switch to riding, Mr. Stokkel won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics.

Over the weekend at the Botanical Gardens there will be events such as Barrel Racing, Western Parade for horses and ponies, a Rescue Relay Gymkhana which will end up with two people riding a horse and a host of other classes. Roz Collins, one of the organisers of the show, said: "This is not just for those people who understand the sport and watch horse shows. It is designed to be great for the whole family. There will be food and refreshments available and between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. We will also have pony rides for kids who have never been on a horse. We want the children to feel part of the whole show.'' HANDICAPP HAN