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: H&H Events Ltd
Contact: Hannah Matthews 01594 529825; 07831 584823; Heidi Davis, 01291 624944; 07818 095616; info@handhevents.com
Location: Monmouthshire
Entries open: 25 May
Ballot date: 10 June at 12 noon
Entries close: 24 June
Link to Chepstow entries: www.britisheventing.com/chepstow
How to get there
Chepstow Racecourse is located on the A466 nine miles from the M4/M5 interchange and one mile from the Severn Bridge. Take junction two off the M48 and then follow the A466 until you see brown signs for Chepstow Racecourse.
What the organisers say
There will be continued improvement and additional groundwork carried out to ensure better going. Continued development of all cross-country tracks will ensure a fair test at all levels.
Chepstow hosts the Welsh National Championships — a novice competition open to qualified horses. There will be Dubarry Burghley young event horse classes on 3 July for four- and five-year-old horses, and KBIS under-18 and young horse qualifiers.
Both dressage and showjumping take place in the centre of the racecourse and the going will be excellent. The arenas are all flat and on old turf and there is plenty of warm-up space. The showjumping is situated in front of the secretary in a natural bowl to add to the atmosphere and enhance the spectator experience.
All cross-country courses provide a fair test of ability at each level. They are encouraging, educational and suit horses and riders of all levels. Designed by Eric Winter, they run over interesting parkland. The majority of the course can be seen from one place. Simon Grundy is the course-builder.
Special privileges for competitors who volunteer.
Severn Bridge toll for lorries with living is the same as a car.
What the riders say
Dressage & show jumping — “Dressage is a long way from the lorries but flat.” “Lovely big space for the dressage warm-up and the arenas ran on flat and good ground.” “Arenas were spaced very well apart which meant few distractions from other horses.” “The showjumping warm-up wasn’t huge and the ground in both the warm-up and the ring was very wet due to torrential rain for the few days beforehand.” “The organisers were amazing at moving all the jumps for the next class, with the help of competitors, which was much appreciated.”
Cross-country — “Well-built and educational.” “Fairly hilly, but good long courses with some good combination fences.” “The warm-up was large with a very good variety of fences.” The course was a longer course over undulating ground, which was in good condition despite the rain.” “The fences were very natural looking without too many technical or bold looking fences — a nice course for inexperienced horses and riders.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
NRF: 81%
IN: 81%
ONU18: 50%
N: 48%
BE100 U18: 61%
BE100 Pony Club: 63%
BE100 Open: 57%
BE100: 68%
BE90 Pony Club: 84%
BE90: 77%
4YO: 100%
BE80(T): 56%
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.