Swalcliffe Park Horse Trials: what you need to know [H&H VIP]
We bring you the lowdown on this fixture from Eventing magazine's horse trials guide — including what riders say about the event, plus vital statistics
Date: Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 March 2015
Organisers: Richard Taylor and Sarah Taylor
Contact: Sarah, 01295 788924; info@swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk; www.swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk
Location: Oxfordshire
Entries open: 13 February
Ballot date: 27 February at 12 noon
Entries close: 11 March
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Link to Swalcliffe entries: www.britisheventing.com/swalcliffepark
How to get there
Postcode OX15 5EX. Swalcliffe Park Equestrian, Grange Farm, is seven miles from junction 11 of the M40 between Banbury and Shipston-on-Stour on the B4035.
What the organisers say
Due to the cancellation of Broadway in October, we will be running the BE100RF on Sunday, 22 March. Only those who were entered in Broadway’s RF are eligible to compete in this section.
The dressage and showjumping are sited on well-draining ground. The dressage will be in a quiet area away from the cross-country. There is ample space for warming up and the showjumping arena is spacious. The courses are designed by advanced British Showjumping course-builder Sue Barratt.
The cross-country terrain is fairly undulating for the BE90 and BE100 tracks, while the BE80(T) course will run over flatter ground. The land drains well and is generally good.
Special attention is paid to all take-off and landing areas. There will be a good variety of fences, including two water complexes. There will be some adjustments made to the courses for 2015, with the introduction of new portable fences.
The courses are inviting and encouraging for young horses, those competing at their first event or those looking for a confidence boost. The BE80(T) track is intended to be flowing and straightforward, with the BE90 and BE100 courses up to height and appropriate for their levels.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Big dressage warm-up but it runs next to the cross-country, so for fresh horses, it’s a little exciting trying to get them to settle for their test.” “Nice flat arenas.” “The showjumping ring is surrounded by the tradestands, which can be distracting, but it was a nice fair course.” “This was my first event with a young horse and she spooked at the banners on the side of the ring.” “The course was fair and the arena was a nice size.” “The showjumping warm-up was very close to the cross-country.”
Cross-country — “The BE80(T) course rode generally quite nicely, although going down the hill away from the lorry park looking towards the water took a bit of riding on a green horse.” “The course was a little short in length, but offered a wide variety of portable fences.” “The water was really the only ‘natural’ obstacle.” “Good for first-timers but a little boring for more experienced combinations.” “Results took a long time to be posted.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
BE100 Open: 90%
BE100: 88%
BE90 Open: 78%
BE90: 67%
BE80(T): 66%
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
