Hartpury 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: Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 August 2015
Event chairman: Russell Marchant
Director: Phillip Cheetham
Contact: 01452 702126/7; eventing@hartpury.ac.uk; www.hartpury.ac.uk/eventing
Location: Gloucestershire
Entries open: 9 July
Ballot date: 23 July
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Entries close: 3 August
Link to Hartpury entries: www.britisheventing.com/hartpury
How to get there
Just off the A417 Gloucester to Ledbury road within easy reach of the M50 and M5.
What the organisers say
Our title sponsor is NAF.
All CCI2* dressage will take place in the indoor Hartpury arena. CIC3* and CCI* competitors will perform their dressage tests in the international outdoor arena, where the showjumping is also sited. The arena and warm-up are on an all-weather, pro track surface by Andrews Bowen. Paul Connor designs the showjumping and Eric Winter designs the cross-country, which runs over undulating parkland.
All tracks have two water fences and run over permanent grassland. Hartpury is committed to making the going the best possible and have invested further in this for 2015 — the new irrigation and ground management system will be extended to cover more areas of the course.
Some changes have been made to all courses and they will be challenging but fair.
The CCI* and CCI2* are suited to more experienced horses, while the CIC3* is for those seeking an educational run.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Fabulous facilities and venue, but lorry parking is a little cramped and there is limited hook-up. Lorry park is also very slippery for unloading horses.” “The one- and two-star dressage is held in an all-weather arena. The CIC3* runs in the indoor school, which has a unique atmosphere [see organiser comments]. The final warm-up is in a small adjacent indoor which can feel a little cramped.” “There is good viewing of the showjumping in the all-weather arena with interesting, decent tracks, and the warm-up is held in an arena beside it.”
Cross-country — “The CIC3* provides a good pre-autumn three-day event run.” “Bold, undulating courses with good questions.” “It’s a long hack from the stables.” “Ground much improved from previous years as it now has a watering system in place.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CIC3*: 70%
CCI2*: 67%
CCI*: 77%
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two
