Get the lowdown on this fixture from Eventing magazine's horse trials guide — including what riders say about the event, plus vital statistics
Date: Friday 27 – Sunday 29 March 2015
Organiser: David Sayer
Contact: 01603 688227; www.blackwaterfarm.co.uk
Location: Norfolk
Entries open: 20 February
Ballot date: 6 March at 12 noon
Entries close: 17 March
Link to Great Witchingham entries: www.britisheventing.com/greatwitchingham1
How to get there
Off the A1067 turning at Reepham by Norfolk Wildlife Park. Great Witchingham is shown as Lenwade on most maps.
What the organisers say
March 2015 marks Great Witchingham’s 25th year running horse trials, which coincides with the final dualing of the A11. So for competitors travelling via the A14, M11 and A11, there is a dual carriageway to within eight miles of Great Witchingham.
Pony Club sections at BE90 and BE100 have been added for 2015 at £10 day ticket, £64.51 entry and £5 start fee for a total of £79.51 to help make the step from Pony Club to BE a natural and affordable progression, supporting eventing in East Anglia.
The dressage and showjumping is on flat ground with a large warm-up area for the dressage. Long-format arenas are used for most classes. The showjumping, designed by Rodger Howe, is in a permanent 100x80m arena.
The cross-country runs on light, undulating land over permanent, genuine cross-country fences using copses and natural water features. The obstacles are educational with prepared take-offs and landings. Our aim is to offer a confidence-giving early-season run on good going. On-site stabling is available.
Our sponsors are generous local companies.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Plenty of space for the warm-up and the majority of tests are in long arenas, which is excellent for young ones.” “The showjumping is held on permanent, undulating arenas.” “Good showjumping courses and strong enough for the levels.”
Cross-country — “Some modification would be good as they have been much the same since I started competing there 20 years ago.” “The fences are well built and educational.” “Run by a really enthusiastic team.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
AI: 92%
OI: 67%
I: 78%
CIC*: 94%
IN: 90%
ON: 77%
N: 78%
BE100 Open: 93%
BE100: 85%
BE90 Open: 75%
BE90: 79%
BE80(T): 69%
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