Little Downham Horse Trials (1): 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: Friday 5 — Sunday 7 June 2015
Organiser: Tina Ure
Contact: 01353 698839; tina_ure@hotmail.com
Location: Cambridgeshire
Entries open: 3 May
Ballot date: 19 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 26 May
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Link to Little Downham (1) entries: www.britisheventing.com/littledownham1
How to get there
Grid reference TL517837. Little Downham is five miles north east of Ely off the A10.
What the organisers say
The event is sponsored by Maxavita.
The dressage and showjumping are on flat, irrigated grass for both phases. The showjumping is designed by Rodger Howe.
The cross-country terrain is flat. The peat ground will be aera-vated and irrigated if necessary. There are five separate courses with a good mix of permanent and mobile fences.
There are two waters, a bank, steps and ditches with easy alternatives at the more challenging fences. Jonathan Clissold, Phillip Herbert and Tina Ure design the tracks.
There will be changes to all tracks again for 2015.
The straight routes on all courses are challenging,so the tracks are good for experienced horses. But there are black flag alternatives where needed to ensure high completion rates. The advanced class will have enough alternatives to be suitable for a first run at this level.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Excellent organisation team here, making great use of a small site.” “Dressage arenas flat and with plenty of warming up space.” “Arenas can be spooky as they are next to houses.” “Spacious showjumping ring with good warm-up.” “Courses always up to height but tracks generally flow well.” “Not a beautiful location, but that is made up for with a warm welcome and super organisation.”
Cross-country — “The site is flat, but this doesn’t detract from the courses, which have plenty of man-made features.” “The water jump has been extended and is massive.” “Can be twisty, but is educational.” “The event runs on peat going, so it doesn’t matter how wet it gets.” “Educational tracks for bold youngsters or first-timers — although the final water caused a few duckings in 2014.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
A: 83%
OI: 76%
I: 76%
NRF: 85%
ONU18: 77%
ON: 90%
N: 69%
BE100U18: 87%
BE100 Open: 83%
BE100: 80%
5YO: 80%
BE90 Open: 69%
BE90: 69%
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.
