Scotsburn 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 30 May 2015
Organiser: Richard Durham
Contact: 01862 842300; richard@rwdurham.co.uk
Location: Ross-shire
Entries open: 24 April
Ballot date: 8 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 20 May
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Link to Scotsburn entries: www.britisheventing.com/scotsburn
How to get there
Grid reference NH720761. Situated six miles off the A9, turning left two miles after Alness. Thirty miles north of Inverness.
From the organiser
Our sponsor is Global Energy Group.
The cross-country course, which was reversed last year for the first time since construction in 1999, will be enhanced in 2015 by the introduction of a sunken road at the six-mile bottom complex. As a result of the reversal, there is now only one steep hill climb instead of the previous two. As always, presentation of the course at Scotsburn is among the best in Scotland, and we are proud of the friendly Highland atmosphere.
The track runs over undulating terrain on free-draining turf, which is never rock hard. Course-designer Peter Wilson uses a large number of permanent fences, supplemented by some portables.
The BE80(T) track is a fantastic first-timer’s course. The BE90 provides a great introduction to eventing, while the BE100 and novice tracks offer a solid and confidence-building mid-season run. Alternative routes are provided at all the more challenging fences.
The dressage is sited on flat, permanent pasture in a quiet field. Colin Hexley’s showjumping track is sited in a fenced arena at the heart of the event.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage takes place in a separate field, but there is not too much warm-up area.” “Dressage is a well-organised section of the event.” “Super dressage arenas, lovely and quiet.” “A permanent flat showjumping arena is always lovely to ride in and the ground was super.” “The warm-up isn’t the biggest.”
Cross-country — “The cross-country was rerouted this year to remove some of the very demanding hills, and I felt it worked very well.” “All tracks were up to height and quite a question — the terrain makes things more challenging.” “Lovely event with a super atmosphere and the ground was fab.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
ON: 100%
N: 64%
BE100U18: 60%
BE100 Open: 80%
BE100: 75%
BE90PC: 71%
BE90: 63%
BE80(T)PC: 42%
BE80(T): 61%
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.
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.