Brightling Park International Horse Trials: 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: Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 July 2015
Organiser: Gardie Grissell
Contact: 01424 838241; 07787 843277; ggrissell@aol.com; www.brightlingpark.com
Location: East Sussex
Entries open: 29 May
Ballot date: 13 June at 12 noon
Entries close: 24 June
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Link to Brightling entries: www.britisheventing.com/brightling
How to get there
From the M25 take the A21 to Robertsbridge. From the west head for Heathfield.
What the organisers say
Our main sponsor is Reverdy Equine Nutrition.
A few changes are planned this year. The showjumping will probably take place below the Temple folly and the dressage will be moved to where the showjumping was, so it will not be necessary to cross the road to do your tests.
The cross-country start and finish will be moved to the bottom of the hill so as to avoid the steep uphill climb at the end.
Brightling has a reputation for providing first-class ground conditions. There is always a good covering of grass and it will be equi-vated if firm. There are three water complexes.
Oliver Townend was quoted in Eventing magazine in 2014 as saying: “The most decent two-star track I’ve seen in a while.”
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The one-star dressage is a long way from the lorry park [see organiser comments], but very quiet and good for first-time one-star horses.” “The arenas are fairly flat and the ground was adequate.” “The two-star dressage is held in front of the house and has quite an atmosphere, but a very small warm-up. But it is a very flat arena and good ground.” “There are a lot of flags and things to look at, so a good education for horses moving up the levels.” “The showjumping is always a decent track.” “It’s on a bit of a hill and the warm-up is on a hill, too.” “They always make an effort with the ground and they are always good courses.”
Cross-country — “The course is really great here.” “Quite an old-fashioned course, and one of the hilliest events, so you need a really fit horse.” “The new water is really great and they have improved the course a lot in the last few years.” “They always make a lot of effort with the ground.” “There is plenty of warm-up space to have a good canter with a couple of practice fences.” “It is a decent track so towards the upper level, and not for first-timers.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CIC2*: 84%
CIC*: 70%
N: 67%
BE100: 89%
BE90: 76%
Download part one of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part one
Buy Eventing magazine’s April issue for our full horse trials guide detailing every event from July to October 2015 or purchase a digital copy of the guide here.
