CATTON PARK, Staffs
14-15 June
The course: Runs through the woods and parkland of Catton and uses all the natural features of the landscape. The wide variety of fences has been improved. The intermediate track is suitable for a first-timer.
Classes: PN, N, NAF, I, OI
How to get there: Catton Hall is situated midway between Lichfield and Burton upon Trent. Take the A513 Tamworth/Rugeley road at Alrewas on the A38 towards Tamworth. Travel for 1.5 miles and immediately under the railway bridge turn left. Catton Hall is situated on that road about one mile along on the left. Do not approach Catton via Walton upon Trent as there is a weight restriction on the Trent Bridge
Further information: Tissie Reason, Woolaton Farmhouse, Biggin by Hartington, Buxton, Derbys SK17 0DR (tel: 01298 849860); (mobile: 07721 551713).
CENTRAL SCOTLAND, Perth
3-4 May
The course: There are four largely different courses built on riverside permanent pasture and rising ground beside and in front of Scone Palace. The ground provides excellent going, with good free-draining conditions over a variety of undulating and flat galloping terrain. The fences are straightforward and mostly maximum dimensions for each class. They are designed to give early-season competitors lots of confidence. The tracks will be near full distance. The courses are modified and improved each year, and for 2003 several new obstacles are planned, as well as a re-design and re-build of the OI Triangles and the removal of the OI Stile! There will also be non-jumping alternative into the water for pre-novice and intros
Classes: Intro, PN, N, JRN, IN, I, OI
How to get there: Scone Palace is two miles from Perth off the A93. Follow signs for the Palace and then Perth Racecourse
Further information: Colin Campbell, Scarhead House, Glenfarg, Perth PH2 9QG (tel: 01577 830240); (fax: 01577 830843); entries secretary Mrs JM Cepok, Drummawhance, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NP (tel: 01764 681267); (fax: 01764 664460); website: www.centralscotlandhorsetrials.co.uk (online entries available)
CHARLTON PARK, Wilts
4-5 October
The course: The track runs mostly over well drained parkland with one short woodland stretch. The terrain is mildly undulating. There is a water jump for all classes. Mike Tucker’s improved cross-country courses rode very well and will remain unchanged with some improvements
Classes: PN, N, IN
How to get there: Access to Charlton Park is off the B4040 Malmesbury to Cricklade road, about two miles from Malmesbury. The event will be signposted. There is no access off the A429 Malmesbury to Cirencester road
Further information: Organiser & entries secretary Jean Russell, Gilboa Farmhouse, Brokenborough, Malmesbury, Wilts SN16 0HX (tel: 01666 823025); (fax: 01666 825011); Miles Russell, Jasmin Cottage, Pool Keynes, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6EG (e-mail: maz.miles@talk21.com)
CHATSWORTH, Derbys
10-11 May
The course: A popular and flowing track produced by an Olympic course designer which is immaculately and imaginatively realised by builder David Evans and his team. The course, which will have several new fences this year, runs over good parkland going and provides a useful fitness pointer as it runs on the side of a hill. Natural features are utilised, plus the historic Queen Mary’s Bower water complex. There will be some differences between the advanced track and the CIC tracks, which are primarily intended as a useful build up to Bramham. The novice course does not go up the hill
Classes: N, IN, under-21 IN, A, CIC***-W
How to get there: Eight miles north of Matlock on the B6012, 16 miles from the M1 junction 29 and signposted via Chesterfield. 30 miles from the M6 junction 19. 4 miles from Bakewell. Will be clearly signposted
Further information: Sue Etherington-Smith, Horse Trials Office, Dower House, Sibford Ferris, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5RA (tel: 01295 788492); (fax: 01295 788659); (e-mail: mikees@sibford.freeserve.co.uk)
CHELTENHAM Glos
22-23 July
The course: The cross-country runs over slightly undulating ground and will make use of the natural features of the land. There will hopefully be a water jump. Every effort will be made to ensure the going is as good as possible.
Classes: PN, OPN, N, ON
How to get there: Follow signs for the racecourse and enter by the stables roundabout A435/B4632
Further information: Musketeer Event Management (tel: 01485 210070). Please do not ring the racecourse
CHEPSTOW Monmouth
15-18 May
The course: Runs overold turf and undulating ground. Fences are built of solid timber. A fit horse is required. The CCI* provides a good, early-season test nd the course rode well last year despite the weather. Changes are being made to all courses to miss out the last steep hill. The going on the steeplechase will be improved dramatically for 2003, with all-weather take offs and landings.
Classes: N, JRN, N2D, I, OI, CCI*
How to get there: Leave the M4 at junction 21 and get on to the M48. Chepstow is on the A466 Monmouth road, two miles from the old Severn Bridge
Further information: Hannah Matthews, The Old Rectory, Woolaston, Lydney, Glos GL15 6PT (tel: 01594 529543); (fax: 01594 529680); (daytime: 01291 628934)
CLEOBURY MORTIMER (1 & 2) Worcs/Shrops
17-18 May & 12-14 September
The course: All four courses are individual with very few shared fences and a prominent, spectator-friendly water complex. Each course will include a few minor alterations, but otherwise all tracks as usual feature a wide variety of well-built obstacles
Classes: 17-18 May – Intro, PN, OPN, N, IN; 12-14 September – Intro, PN, OPN, N, IN, I, OI.
How to get there: Signposted off the A4117 Kidderminster to Ludlow road, about 1 mile from Cleobury Mortimer. There is a map on the website
Further information: Brian and Jenny Perry, Hillocks Farm, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster, Worcs DY14 0EB (tel: 01299 270710); (fax: 01299 270411) website: www.hillocksfarm.org.uk
CROCKSTEAD, East Sussex
16-17 August
The course: Two new courses have been built to be encouraging. There will be alternatives at the difficult fences. The track runs anti-clockwise and will boast a good variety of obstacles, including two water crossings. The terrain is undulating and every effort will be made to provide good footing
Classes: Intro, PN, N
How to get there: Crockstead is on the A22 between Uckfield and Halland. Take junction 6 off the M25 on to the A22 to East Grinstead and Eastbourne. After the East Sussex National Golf Course roundabout, Crockstead is half a mile on the left
Further information: Elaine Kemp, secretary, Crockstead Park EC, Eastbourne Road, Halland, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6PT (tel: 01825 840889)
CULZEAN, Ayr
14 September
The course: Runs over a mixture of grass, woodland and stubble, which is all free draining. The course will again be re-routed, due to crop rotation. Many of the fences are being replaced and updated. Alternatives are provided at all the more difficult obstacles
Classes: PN, N
How to get there: Culzean is on the A719, 12 miles south-west of Ayr. Follow signs to Culzean Country Park
Further information: Lady Fergusson, Kilkerran, Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 7SJ (tel/fax: 01655 740477); (e-mail: ladyfergusson@whsmithnet.co.uk).
DUCHY COLLEGE, Cornwall
19 July
The course: The intro and pre-novice courses were re-designed in 2002 and will continue to be upgraded, with improvements being made each year. This year will see modifications made to the intermediate course. The track will be improved and the fences made more inviting. Every effort will be made to improve the going and ensure it is good.
Classes: Intro, PN, OPN, N, ON, I, OI
How to get there: If travelling west, take the A30 Exeter-Launceston (dual carriageway). From the Launceston exit follow signs to the A388 and Callington. Follow the A388 south for 6.5 miles and the college and horse trials will be signposted on the left
Further information: Andrew Counsell, Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall PL17 8PB (tel: 01579 372222); (fax: 01579 372200)
EGLINTON, Ayr
11-12 July
The course: All four courses, which are totally separate, run over undulating grassland and include some fairly steep hills, but are designed to encourage and give confidence to the forward-going horse. The novice course isstraightforward and suitable for a true novice, although more difficult alternatives make it a good school for more experienced horses. A few alterations are planned this time. The water jump, which all classes use, was upgraded a few years ago. Thetracks include wooded areas, while the thick covering of grass gives near perfect going at all times
Classes: PN, N, I, A
How to get there: 2 miles west of Mauchline on the B743 (A758 previously) Mauchline-Ayr road
Further information: Heather Galbraith, Barskimming, Mauchline, Ayr KA5 5TB (tel: 01290 550202); (tel/fax (office): 01290 550266)
ERIDGE, Kent
28-29 June
The course: Runs over old parkland,using many natural features. The whole course can be seen from below the house. The fences will be solid and inviting. If the going is hard the track will be aerated. In the event of wet weather, the old turf drains well
Classes: PN, OPN, N, NAF, JRN, I, OI
How to get there: Between Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough on the A26
Further information: Jenny Nolan, SEES Ltd, Oatridges, Best Beech, Wadhurst, Sussex TN5 6JL (tel: 01892 783227); (mobile: 0585 160030)
FIRLE PLACE, Sussex
30-31 August
The course: Runs over undulating parkland on old turf, and the organisers work hard to ensure good going whether itr is wet or dry. Last year an intro course was added, while for 2002 a new novice track is being built. The intro course is designed to be invited and encouraging for young horses, while the upgraded pre-novice and new novice will be strong courses with alternatives. An alternative to the stew ponds on the pre-novice track is planned for this year.
Classes: Intro, PN, OPN, N, ON, IN (including owner/rider novice)
How to get there: Firle Place is off the A27 between Lewes and Polegate in East Sussex
Further information: Josephine Carr, Street Farm, Jevington, Nr Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5QB (tel: 01323 482016); (email: jo@firleplaceevent.co.uk); website: www.firleplaceevent.co.uk
FLOORS CASTLE, Roxburgh
17-18 May
The course: There are separate novice, pre-novice and intermediate courses run over flat parkland on well-drained, old, permanent pasture. There will be a few alterations this year. All courses are considered fair
Classes: PN, N, IN, NAF, I, OI, CIC**, Scottish team competition
How to get there: Floors Castle is half a mile out of Kelso by the River Tweed. It is 50 miles from Edinburgh and Newcastle. Approach roads are the A68 or the A697
Further information: Jamie Innes, Newbigging Birks, Oxnam, Jedburgh, Roxburgh TD8 6NA (tel: 01835 840223); (mobile: 07831 172166); Mrs Millar, Timpendean Cottage, Jedburgh, Roxburgh TD8 6SS (tel: 01835 830334); (mobile: 07801 577600)
