Andrew Lloyd Webber and Arlene Phillips named as Express Eventing guest judges

Famous for their stage and screen work, they will evaluate the dressage section of the condensed version of three-day eventing.

Lloyd Webber has said that though excited about the event on Nov 30, he still has a lot to learn.

"My wife Madeleine was an international eventer, so this sport has been a big part of our life," he said. "Though I will admit that I still have a lot to learn about horses. I am delighted to be asked to play a part in what is a great new sporting event.”

The dressage, or 'dancing' section of the competition involves riders completing a list of compulsory movements. They will also be judged on how well their four-minute routine interprets the music - which they choose themselves.

Lloyd Webber and Phillips will join international dressage judges Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Isobel Wessels, Frances Verbeek and Andrew Gardner, who each have an individual marking role covering: technical correctness, overall impression, use of the arena and inventiveness.

Phillips said: "It is so much fun using my experience in all sorts of different arenas and this is a first for me.

"I always enjoy working with Andrew on a project and this is certainly an original one. With 20 different riders choosing 20 different pieces of music, it is going to be fascinating to see how the horses respond and the competition evolves."

The event will feature the world's top 20 riders including British Olympians William Fox-Pitt and Mary King. Following the dressage, competitors will enter a combined show jumping stage against the clock, and finish the day with the cross country course.

With the biggest prize in eventing up for grabs, the overall winner will take home £100,000.