Lincolnshire Horse Trials: what riders need to know [H&H VIP]
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: Friday 20 – Sunday 22 March 2015
Organiser: Charles Hood
Contact: Anne Whitton: 01775 680078 / 07889 512048; anne@burghley-horse.co.uk
Location: Lincolnshire
Entries open: 13 February
Ballot date: 27 February at 12 noon
Entries close: 10 March
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Link to Lincolnshire entries: www.britisheventing.com/lincolnshire
How to get there
Lincolnshire Showground is 3½ miles north of Lincoln off the A15 Lincoln to Brigg road, half an hour from the A1 at Newark. Excellent access via the A46 and over the Humber Bridge.
What the organisers say
The Lincolnshire Showground is easily accessible from all parts of the country particularly now that the A46 from Leicester is a dual carriageway.
The dressage arenas are on level ground and remain unaffected by the cross-country.
This year Joe Weller is taking more responsibility for the cross-country course design, which will result in all three tracks having a fresh look to them while still taking advantage of the excellent terrain and going at this stage of the season. The water fences are being updated, among other improvements, with good use of alternatives to encourage the confidence of horse and rider.
The showjumping will take place in the main ring and the layout of the secretary’s office, scoreboards, catering facilities and tradestands will all be close to the showground’s Epic Centre. The event will continue to make full use of the showground infrastructure, stables and facilities.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage is set away from the showjumping and cross-country in a peaceful part of the venue, so is good for horses struggling with early season concentration. Lots of space to warm up in.” “Beautiful, flat arenas, but it does get cold over there so helpers need to wrap up warm!” “Showjumping warm-up is a bit tight and the courses are square and up to height. If wet it can get deep and a bit holding in the main showjumping ring by the Sunday afternoon — you need a jumper who loves the mud for the showjumping here. But the courses are good to ride and a good wake-up call ahead of bigger early-season events.” “The fences get moved regularly between classes to allow for the mud.”
Cross-country — “Interesting tracks with lots of variety and questions — but not a first-time ‘step-up event’, especially the intermediate track, as it’s pretty technical and the questions come thick and fast right until the end. But it does ride very well.” “Ground drains well and is never holding, and event runs on the flat with an opportunity to view much of the track.” “Good tracks at all levels but the plastic farm animals can be very spooky!” “BE100 is a lovely flowing track and very educational. The novice is strong enough but educational and rides well — it is a good stepping stone to intermediate. The last fences for all levels were not attractive this year.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
OI: 71%
I: 59%
PT: 76%
ONU18: 70%
ON: 89%
N: 84%
BE100 Open: 86%
BE100: 85%
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
