Horse trials S to T

SADBOROW, Somerset (was WESSEX)

28-29 June

The course: Following advice from Mike Tucker, two entirely new courses were constructed in 2002 using the parkland setting in front of the house, woodland and other natural features. The courses include ditches and water. Further enhancements will take place prior to this year’s event, including the introduction of additional alternatives. The courses will be up to height but will avoid long gradients, although a fit horse is an advantage. The courses run virtually all on grass, using old parkland turf where possible. If necessary the track will be aerovated

The course: Runs over undulating parkland and established grassland with some wooded sections. The course includes a variety of fences incorporating many natural features and is suitable for horses of all levels. There are alternatives. The obstacles have been designedand built to a high standard amd although there is no water feature in this year’s course, one is planned for 2004. Ground preparation will also be to a high standard and the course and arenas will be well rolled and aerated as necessary.

How to get there: Conveniently situated 5 miles north of the Shrewsbury M54 link road. Follow the A49 north from Shrewsbury. One mile north of the village of Hadnall turn left. Signed Yorton, Bomere Heath and Hardwicke Stables Industrial Units. Take the first right after two-thirds of a mile and the park is a further mile on the left. From the north follow the A49 and two miles south of Preston Brockhurst turn right (300 yards after garage). Signed Yorton, Bomere Heath and Hardwicke Stables Industrial Units. Take the first right after two-thirds of a mile and the park is a further mile.

The course: Relatively short and runs over undulating to hilly land. The intro and pre-novice tracks will suit first-timers, whilethe novices will have a challenging course with very well designed fences to negotiate. The water complex, comprising of a leap over a boat house for novices and other options for lower classes, rides perfectly, but is challenging for a first-time novice. The land here drains well

How to get there: Entry to the Great Park only through Blacknest Gate off the Virginia Water to Ascot road (A329). From the A30 take the A329 (towards Ascot). Turn right after the Beefeater Olde Belvedere Arms and Blacknest Gate is straight ahead. From Ascot take the A329 (towards Virginia Water). Turn left at the “Oriental” restaurant and Blacknest Gate is straight ahead. From Ascot take the A329(towards Virginia Water). Turn left at the “oriental” restaurant and Blackness Gate is ahead. Follow signs to “Polo” and you arrive on Smiths Lawn

The course: Although the track remains largely the same, there will be several new fences this time and only two are shared by novice and pre-novice. The water has been further modified with the pre-novices able to walk in. The flowing course runs mainly over open ground with the exception of a little wooded valley halfway round. The fences are varied, built with solid timber and are designed to be inviting to horses and/or less experienced riders, bearing in mind that it will be the first outing of the season

The course: Stockland Lovell offers one of the best schooling courses in the South West, catering for horses and riders of all abilities. The course is constructed over rolling Somerset countryside. It is varied and well-built and ensures that full use is made of natural features to offer a wide variety of solidly built and inviting fences. The new water complex is being developed further, with additional jumps to suit all abilities and the refurbishment and upgrading of existing obstacles is continuing. Careful attention will be paid to the going, both on the cross-country course and in the show jumping arena. It is Stockland Lovell’s policy to continually upgrade and alter the course

The course: Runs mainly over flat, permanent sheep-grazed pasture with some undulating areas. There is a wide variety of jumps, including two water complexes. Ifthe going is hard the courses will be rotovated. In 2001 all the tracks were altered and the intermediate course, which had caused problems in the past, was revamped quite extensively and rode well. Although it is still considered of medium difficulty, there are now plenty of alternatives

The course: The course rode very well in its first year. Some changes were made in 2002 to maintain the fresh look and continue the development of these encouraging tracks. Pre-novice and novice tracks are designed to suit first-timers as well as the more experienced as there are easier alternatives. The track utilised many of the features of the landscape, with three water crossings, including a causeway in front of the castle. The terrain is undulating, but not overly hilly, with the track running on parkland going and incorporating a couple of very short wooded sections

How to get there: From the south, approximately 16 miles north of Newcastle, fork left the A1 onto the A697 (Morpeth to Coldstream road). Go through Longhorsley and Longframlington and at the crossroads after approximately 10 miles turn left to Titlington and Bolton (left to Glanton). Go through Bolton village and turn left at a small crossroads and Titlington Training Centre is a further mile along that road on the right. From the north, go along the A697 through Powburn village to the second crossroads and turn left to Titlington and Bolton (right to Glanton), then follow the directions above

How to get there: Tweseldown is situated approximately 3 miles from Aldershot, Fleet and Farnham on an army road (Bourley Road)between the B3013 and A325. Leave the M3 at junction 5 and follow the A287 signed Farnham. Turn left on to the B3013 towards Fleet and follow the signs for Tweseldown racecourse. From the M3 junction 4 take the A331. At Farnborough, take the A3011 and then follow the A325 signed Farnham. At the Wellington roundabout (Aldershot) turn right following the racecourse signs

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