NORTHAMPTON, Northants
24-25 May
The course: Runs over flat terrain on old parkland, with some woodland and a stream. An ideal and educational course to encourage and teach the novice horse and/or rider. Fences include a bank, water jump and combinations with easier alternatives. Will be aerovated if necessary
Classes: N, JRN, ON, IN
How to get there: Two miles north of M1 junction 15. The entrance for all vehicles is off the A508, the main drive to Delapre Park. Those requiring a map should send an SAE to Julie Connell at the address below. Road signs are sometimes removed by vandals!
Further information: Julie Connell, The Maltings, 10 The Green, Clipston, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 9RS (tel: 01858 525336); (fax: 01858 525140); (mobile: 07850 500474); e-mail: jconnell@jconnell.demon.co.uk; website: www.bdwp.co.uk/jconnell
NURSTEAD COURT, Kent
17-18 April
The course: Horses need to be fit to negotiate this undulating parkland course. It is a confidence-giving track with a good variety of fences, including a water complex, step and banks. The chalk soil drains very well, but if the going is firm it will be airiated.
Classes: PN, OPN, N ,ON
How to get there: Sited 1.5 miles off junction 5 of the A2 on the A227 to Meopham. Take junction 3 off the M20 or junction2A off the M26 and the event is six miles away
Further information: Nurstead Court (tel: 01474 815133); email: info@nursteadcourt.co.uk
OASBY (1 & 2), Lincs
15-16 March & 3-4 October
The course: The track has been built as a first run of the season, being straightforward with minimal questions. It is intended to be confidence-giving. The terrain is basically flat with one valley
Classes: 15-16 March – PN, N, ON; 3-4 October – PN, N
How to get there: The event is sited five miles east of Grantham and will be signposted off the A52
Further information: Stuart and Anna Buntine, Cottage 5, Shelford Manor, Shelford, Notts NG12 1ES (tel: 01949 20042); (fax: 01949 829061); e-mail: stuart@buntine.freeserve.co.uk
ORCHARD PORTMAN, Somerset
14 September
The course: Intended to be straight forward for both levels. Despite space constraints, maximum use is made of the ground available and the course flows well – there are no sharp turns. There is a good variety of fences, although no water jump. The track runs mostly on well established grass over fairly level terrain. The loamy soil drains well. Areas of the track will be aerovated if the going gets hard
Classes: Intro, PN
How to get there: From the east, turn off the A303 at Illminster, taking the A358 to Taunton. Follow the signs into the centre of town until you pick up signs for the racecourse at the Creech Castle traffic lights. Got on to the B3170 to Corfe and the racecourse is sited on the left hand side of this road shortly after you have driven over the motorway. From the M5, exit at junction 25 andfollow the route above. From the west, take the A358 to Taunton and follow signs for the racecourse and Corfe as detailed above.
Further information: Simon & Clare Bere, Lawless Farm Barley Hill, Combe St Nicholas, Chard, Somerset TA20 3HJ (tel: 01460 55093)
OSBALDESTON HALL, Lancs
7 September
The course: Designed on undulating pastureland in the beautiful Ribble valley. There are alternatives for the less experienced and thisyear a couple of new fences will be added
Classes: Intro, PN, OPN
How to get there: Leave the M6 motorway at junction 31 to Blackburn. Travel 1 mile and take the A59 to Clitheroe for approximately 3 miles, then follow signs
Further information:Mr and Mrs Bargh, Osbaldeston Riding Centre, Osbaldeston, Blackburn, Lancs BB2 7LZ (tel: 01254 813159)
OSBERTON, Notts
4-5 May
The course: No expense is spared on the cross-country, which includes some of the former three-day fences. The entire track provides a good preparation for a two-star CCI. Slight alterations are being made to the intermediate track for 2003, while CIC competitors will run over a longer course with several extra fences. Although a large part of the track runs through woodland, it encourages bold riding. The going is good whatever the weather, and this event has always run when many others have had to be cancelled
Classes: I, OI, OIU21, CIC**
How to get there: The entrance is off the A1 northbound, about half a mile north of the A620 (Worksop/Retford) underpass
Further information: Sue Browne, Eel Pie Farm, Markham Moor, Retford, Notts DN22 OQX (tel: 01777 838581); (fax: 01777 838113)
PONTISPOOL, Somerset
4-5 May
The course: Built making the best possible use of natural field boundaries, woodland and watercourses and constructed with solid timber, this course has ridden well, being free-flowing and inviting. The parkland and permanent pasture provide good going. The track will be aerovated if necessary. There are a variety of solidly built fences, including a water and quarry complex. A new dew pond is under construction and a number of improvements are also being made. Each course is up to height and at the combination fences there are easier alternatives
Classes: Intro, PN, JRN, N, IN
How to get there: Leave the M5 at junction 25 or 26 and follow horse trials signs. Pontispool is located just off the B3227 outside Norton Fitzwarren, approximately 20 minutes from the motorway
Further information: Richard Mitford-Slade, PontispoolFarm, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA4 1BG (tel: 01823 461682); (fax: 01823 461489); website: www.pontispool.com
POPLAR PARK, Suffolk
15-16 March
The course: All fences are substantially built and ride well. Both the novice and intermediate courses run over heath, woodland and grassland. The stream that runs through the valley provides a number of water-oriented fences and the light sandy soil ensures good going in all weathers
Classes: PN, N, ON, IN, I, OI, AI
How to get there: Poplar Park EC is situated at Hollesley, 7 miles east of Woodbridge on the Heritage Coast. From the A12 take the A1152 to RAF Woodbridge and Hollesley, then the B1083 to RAF Woodbridge and Hollesley. Signs will be erected from the A12 Woodbridge bypass. Despite being almost on the east coast, there are excellent dual carriageways from the M25 and from the A1 to within 7 miles of the event
Further information: Mike Lloyds, Seven Spar Farm, Charsfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 7QN (tel: 01473 737321)
PORTMAN, Dorset
9-10 April
The course: The courses run on full-draining, level chalk, but there is no water jump. Pre-novice course will be designed to encourage first-time combinations, while the novice track will have alternatives at the more difficult fences
Classes: PN, OPN, N, ON, IN
How to get there: Langton Farm is 1 mile east of the Blandford bypass, off the B3082
Further information: Susie Woodhouse, Shepherds, Ansty, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7PX (tel: 01258 880552)
PURSTON MANOR (1 & 2), Northants
28-29 June & 17-18 September
The course: Both courses run on good old permanent pasture. This year the start is being moved to the lower meadows, which will bring the hilly sections to the early part of the course. This will allow the building of new fences near the manor house and like all the others, these will be straightforward, inviting and educational. The long galloping section on the flat will now lead to the finish. The distances will still be near the maximum and this will maintain the emphasis on fitness for both horse and rider. If there is a sustained period of summer weather, the show jumping practice area, the arena and all parts of the cross-country course will be aerovated to ensure the best going
Classes: PN, OPN, N, JRN, ON, IN
How to get there: Purston Manor is located off the A422 Banbury to Brackley road, 3 miles east of junction 11 on the M40
Further information:The secretary, Jill Lamont (tel: 01483 767336); (fax: 01483 835733); e-mail: jandplamont@ntlworld.com
RICHMOND (1 & 2), N Yorks
11 May & 16-17 August
The course: The course is designed as a first-time track and is bold and inviting with alternatives. There will be a water splash, ditches and a wide variety of other fences to encourage and educate the novice rider/horse. The track runs over 50 acres of slightly undulating grassland. Landings will be sanded if the going is hard
Classes: 11 May- Intro, PN; 16-17 August – Intro, PN, N
How to get there: Exit the A1 at the Catterick Richmond turning for the A6136. At the T-junction turn left and then take the first right, following the brown signs to Richmond Equestrian Centre. At the next T-junction turn left towards Tunstall. On entering the village take the first turn up a single-track road. Follow this track for approximately 1 mile and then turn left up the centre’s driveway
Further information: Sharon Watt, Richmond Equestrian Centre, Breckenbrough Farm, Brough Park, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7PL (tel: 01748 811629); (fax: 01748 818019)
RODBASTON, Staffs
14-15 May
The course: Modifications will be made to both the novice and pre-novice courses, while a new intro course has been constructed. The going on the early parts of the course has been improved , some areas have been widened to improve turns and the road crossing has been removed
Classes: Intro, PN, OPN, N, ON
How to get there: Very close to the M6, on the A449 north of the A5. When approaching on the M6 please exit at junction 13, not 12 and take the A449 south towards Wolverhampton. After passing through the village of Penkridge look for signs to Rodbaston College on the left. The site is easily accessible to trailers and the largest of lorries.
Further information: Marcus Clinton, Rodbaston College, Rodbaston, Penkridge, Staffs ST19 5PH (tel: 01285 710529); (eves: 01785 220330); (fax: 01785 715701).
ROLLESTON, Leics
18 May
The course: The courses, built by Philip Herbert, will be straightforward, bold and up to height. They run over undulating old pastureland
Classes: I, A
How to get there: Rolleston is 10 miles east of Leicester, close to the village of Billesden, one mile south of the junction between the A47 and B6047
Further information: Joanna Sawyer, Home Farm, Gautby, Marjet Rasen, Lincs LN8 5JP (tel: 01507 578530); (fax: 01507 578640); e-mail: joanna.sawyer@lineone.net
