Horse trials K to M

KEYSOE (1 & 2), Beds

17-18 May & 27-28 September

The course: There is a completely new site layout which incorporates a further 100 acres of undulating grassland not previously used by the event. The novice course will be up to height and includes ditches, natural road crossings and some fences unique to this event. The course remains big and galloping, although slightly shorter than before as the start/finish has been re-sited to fit in with the new intermediate course, which has been built to blendnaturally with the rolling country over which it runs and includes a lake and a quarry. The fences are well presented, up to height and substantially built. Everything will be done to make the going good in adverse weather conditions with many fences having all-weather take-offs and landings. Once again, there will be a course-walk with a top international rider on the Friday

The course: There will be three separate tracks for intro, pre-novice and novice competitiors. The courses are uncomplicated and will suit first-timers although there are combination fences with alternatives. The terrain is undulating so a reasonably fit horse is required. The track runs over permanent pasture and as it is on loam over gravel soils, drainage is excellent and this event will be able to run in all weathers. There is a particularly impressive water complex, which will have a different, and inviting entrance for each level

The course: The courses, both on permanent pasture, run over beautiful, undulating prime Fernie hunting country and make use of natural fence lines. They are up to height, straightforward and galloping, encouraging the bold novice or recently-upgraded intermediate. A few fences will be rebuilt for 2003. Both courses, the dressage arenas and the main show jumping ring will be aerovated and sand put down on take-offs and landings if necessary

The course: There are two dedicated tracks for pre-novice and novice competitors which are maintained all year round. The courses run across undulating permanent grassland, making full use of the natural features of the estate and boast a wide variety of obstacles, including a water complex and several improvements for 2003. Both tracks are up to height and have been specifically designed to beencouraging

The course: The three courses are constructed using large timber. The intro class is intended to be educational and encouraging for horse and rider. The pre-novice track, which has encouraging alternatives, is suitable for all combinationsat this level, while the novice course has a number of new fences, including a considerably changed water jump. This is a bold track which has alternatives for the less experienced horse

The course: The terrain is open and hilly while the ground is clay with 8ins of top soil making old pasture. The pre-novice and novice courses will both have two new fences for 2003. There will be a good variety of obstacles, including banks, drops, steps, ditches, a corner and a water complex. The take-offs and landings will be sanded in most cases and a land maintenance plan will shortly be underway

How to get there: Take junction 21a off the M1 onto the A46. Follow this road for 10 miles until you get to a roundabout. Turn left towards Newark on a dual carriageway. Do not take the first Melton sign, insteadturn off at the Six Hills sign on the left. 200 yards later turn left. Travel 3 miles to the A6006 Loughborough road, heading towards Melton Mowbray. At the next roundabout turn left for Ashfordby Hill, go straight over the following roundabout and the event is sited 1 mile on the left opposite a golf course. FromMelton Mowbray, follow the A6006 to Loughborough on the right as you leave the town

The course: A good viewing course over undulating permanent pasture. All of the courses are of medium severity, with the fences traditional and well built. The intro and pre-novice courses will be subtly different at each of the three events this season. The novice course is having a major overhaul with a number of new fences being built to give it a new look and riders new challenges. The intermediate course is also being overhauled, with the challenging hedge corners being retained. The purchase of an aerovater means that the ground conditions will be some of the best to be found at this time of the year. Much effort is going into ensuring that take-offs and landings are of good quality

How to get there: Take Junction 14 off the M1 and head for Newport Pagnell, then Gayhurst and Lathbury. Turn left to Hanslope, then in the village turn right then left into Castlethorpe Road. From the A5 at Stony Stratford take the A508 to Northampton and then the second right to Cosgrove and Castlethrope. Go over the canal, fork left in Castlethrope and Milton Keynes EC is sited 1.5 miles on the left. It will be signed

How to get there: From the roundabout at the west end of the Raglan by-pass take the “Old Abergavenny Road” (not the A40 dual carriageway). Proceed for 4 miles and take the right turn signed Llanarth. The trials is about 3 miles from here and will be signed. From Hereford, take the A49 to Ross-on-Wye, then the A466 to Monmouth and the B4521 to Abergavenny. Turn left after Cross Ash for Llantilio Crossenny. Using the B4233 from Monmouth to Abergavenny is not recommended