Wilton 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 1 – Sunday 2 August 2015
Organiser: Anthony Ffooks
Contact: 01749 812 994; 07779 588274; ant@lamyatt.demon.co.uk; www.wiltonhorsetrials.co.uk
Location: Wiltshire
Entries open: 26 June
Ballot date: 10 July at 12 noon
Entries close: 22 July
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Link to Wilton entries: www.britisheventing.com/wilton
How to get there
Near Salisbury, a short distance from the A303. AA-signposted from Wilton.
What the organisers say
Our main sponsor is Whitehead Vizard Solicitors, Salisbury.
The dressage arenas are on flat, grass river meadows. The warm-up is large and quite flat. The showjumping tracks are sited in a large, flat grass arena overlooked by the tradestands and tents. Both arenas and the warm-up areas will be equi-vated if necessary.
Anthony Ffooks and James Willis design the cross-country courses over undulating parkland and grassland, which will be equi-vated if necessary.
A mix of permanent and portable fences is used and there is water on both courses.
The ditch and palisades, novice steps and intermediate “big drop” have all been rebuilt. With new sponsors there will be new fences on both courses. The courses suit everyone.
We have a Twitter account and Facebook page, plus our website, www.wiltonhorsetrials.co.uk
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is located in a nice, quiet area.” “Although the warm-up is unlevel, the arenas are flat.” “The showjumping is held in a lovely, big arena and on good turf.” “The arena being big allowed for four- and five-stride related distances which other events sometimes struggle to do because their arenas aren’t big enough.” “It’s a fair course and good for an inexperienced horse.” “Up to height but fairly straightforward.”
Cross-country — “The ground rode much better than it walked, as it was on the firm side of good.” “They had done a lot of work to the ground and it showed when riding on it.” “The first water doesn’t ever ride very well because the horses have to go past the showjumping and the dressage. Plus, it’s never very big but people underestimate it and horses do stop at it.” “You wouldn’t want the horse to be too inexperienced. It’s not a soft track but it’s completely fair.” “It’s well organised and has a nice feel.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
OI: 88%
OIU21: 78%
I: 55%
ON: 82%
ONU18: 79%
N: 65%
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two
