South of England 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: Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April 2015
Organisers: Jenny Nolan and Tim Nolan
Contact: 01892 783227 / 07885 160030; seesltd@aol.com; www.seesltd.com
Location: Sussex
Entries open: 5 March
Ballot date: 19 March at 12 noon
Entries close: 1 April
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Link to South of England (1) entries: www.britisheventing.com/southofengland1
How to get there
Grid reference TQ339303. Ardingly Showground is situated on the B2028, four miles north of Haywards Heath.
What the organisers say
The dressage is held on flat grass. The showjumping is designed by John Farrell and is sited in the same arena that is used for the showjumping at the South of England Show.
Scott Brickell and Philip Herbert design the cross-country tracks. There is one steep hill for intermediate horses, but otherwise the ground is flat. All will be agri-vated and sanded if hard. There are three separate tracks. The BE100 and novice tracks are solid and inviting for young horses. Both are straightforward and suitable for a newly upgraded horse.
The courses are suitable for all as alternatives are offered.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is very flat with a lovely big warm-up.” “The arenas are mostly flat, dependent on how you’re drawn.” “Some of the dressage arenas are stuck out in a back field, which is a bit disappointing.” “The showjumping is held in a lovely big arena with lots of atmosphere. The horses tend to jump well with plenty of space in the warm-up and in the ring.”
Cross-country — “The intermediate is quite strong as it incorporates some of the two-star fences.” “There is a very good use of the hills and the spectators get good viewing of the water complexes.” “The going is also very good and they work hard on the ground.” “You need a fit horse as there are runs up and down hills.” “The course is a bit ‘hunter trial-like’ but it’s a good educational track.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
AI: 50%
OIU21: 80%
OI: 89%
I: 87%
ONU18: 77%
ON: 95%
N: 83%
BE100U18: 76%
BE100 Open: 93%
BE100: 88%
Download part one of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part one
Buy Eventing magazine’s March issue for our full horse trials guide detailing every event from March to June 2015 or purchase a digital copy of the guide here. The second half of the guide will be in our April issue (on sale 20 March) and online to buy digitally after publication
