We bring you the lowdown on this fixture from Eventing magazine's horse trials guide — including what riders say about the event, plus vital statistics
Date: Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March 2015
Organiser: Bede Events
Contact: 01949 829061; info@bedeltd.co.uk; www.bedeltd.co.uk
Location: Lincolnshire
Entries open: 29 January
Ballot date: 12 February at 12 noon
Entries close: 23 February
Link to Isleham entries: www.britisheventing.com/oasby1
How to get there
East of Grantham, one mile off the A52.
What the organisers say
There are no major changes in 2015 to this popular event. Oasby (1) will again provide a good early season encouraging run for all levels. It will be straightforward, and educational, run over flat land, with one valley.
The ground is very free draining, so provides excellent going, even in wet conditions.
Oasby has flat and level dressage areas, with plenty of working in area.
The showjumping, designed by Beau Wood, is held in a large arena, and had additional grass seed added after the autumn event, so will have good grass cover in the spring.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Runs on good draining soil, with a flat area for dressage warm-up. The arenas can be a little spooky for fresh horses pleased to be out at the beginning of season, as some are near the track and hedges where goblins lurk for cheeky horses!” “The showjumping is often a ‘poley’ track with many poles and few fillers and so not much to back a horse up, but the tracks are in a large arena with plenty of space and fair for early season.” “The showjumping warm-up can get deep if wet, but the organisers do their best to move the course and work around it. The ground in the showjumping arena holds up well.”
Cross-country — “Nice flowing courses for an early season run and good as the first event of the season, or for a young horse or horse doing their first event at ‘step up level’.” “The course runs over flat, well-draining land and is great for being able to watch horses over most, if not all, the fences.” “Educational courses and all up to height, but fair. The BE100 was a little twisty at the beginning but flowed better towards the end.” “Not a great distance in the sheep feeder combination in the intermediate, but overall a very good first run.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
OI: 81%
I: 78%
PT: 74%
ON: 95%
N: 83%
BE100 Open: 94%
BE100: 83%
BE90: 87%
Download part one of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part one
Buy Eventing magazine’s March issue for our full horse trials guide detailing every event from March to June 2015 or purchase a digital copy of the guide here. The second half of the guide will be in our April issue (on sale 20 March) and online to buy digitally after publication