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Gatcombe Horse Trials (2): what riders need to know *H&H VIP*


  • Get the lowdown on this fixture from Eventing magazine's horse trials guide — including what riders say about the event, plus vital statistics

    Date: Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September 2015

    Organiser: Pattie Biden
    Contact: 07836 644818; pattie-anne@madasafish.com; www.gatcombe-events.co.uk
    Location: Gloucestershire

    Entries open: 6 August
    Ballot date: 20 August at 12 noon
    Entries close: 1 September

    Link to Gatcombe (2) entries: www.britisheventing.com/gatcombe-2

    How to get there

    Gatcombe Park is on the Avening to Minchinhampton road. Grid reference ST882992.

    What the organisers say

    We are known to have a relaxed friendly horse trials.

    The dressage and showjumping areas are the same as usual, on flat ground close to the horsebox park. The showjumping warm-up is sited differently in March and September to ensure the best going.

    The cross-country courses have a number of portable fences to ensure that the ground is not overused and different questions are asked. All classes have water jumps. The CIC2* course is on a different track to the intermediate. The CIC* also has different fences and tracks to the novice course.

    This fixture is sponsored by Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa.

    What the riders say

    Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is quiet for an international event.” “The ground is flat, although the warm-up is on a slight hill.” “It can be a little bit firm in the dressage if it hasn’t rained.” “The showjumping warm-up is on quite a steep hill and is tricky because it’s right next to the cross-country.” “The arena is quite electric and I wouldn’t suggest it as a first international track because it’s really up to height.” “Quite a high level of difficulty, but a great track and on a bit of a camber.”

    Cross-country — “The course is decent enough, hilly and quite twisty, so better suited to a nippy horse.” “Quite a few turning questions and skinnies and an educational track if you’re moving up a level.” “Need a fit horse because they incorporate hills.” “They always try hard with the going as it can get a bit firm, but that’s more the time of the year than bad ground.” “There’s not a huge warm-up but they always have plenty of practice fences and there’s enough space for a decent canter.”

    Percentage of cross-country clears 2014

    CIC2*: 43%
    OI:
    81%
    I:
    73%
    CIC*:
    79%
    ON:
    90%
    N
    : 78%

    Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two