THE famous Dressage and Jumping With the Stars event begins today at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

When the champion European rider and trainer Anky Van Grunsven was brought to Australia in 1998 to present a dressage master class it was decided to combine it with a young dressage horse competition.

This competition is now the most prestigious young horse event in Australia.

In 2002 Dressage With the Stars introduced the young jumping horse championship and it became known as Dressage and Jumping with the Stars.

The young dressage and jumping horse program is supported by other exciting classes and the biggest trade area in the country. Dressage and jumping master classes are a feature on Saturday, with overseas judges presiding.

While the dressage seems to take centre stage there's plenty for spectators to see in the jumping section, which has produced international and national champions. They include Ashleigh Drossel Dan, who competed for Australia at the last Olympics, and Copabella Visage and Warlord II, who both starred at the top level.

The jumping section is a showcase for jumping breeders who are taking much more interest in the pedigrees of the horses.

The pony classes have been held for only the last three years, and this year's four-year-olds are exciting and purpose bred.