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 28 – Sunday 29 March 2015
Organisers: Rupert and Rebecca Harvie
Contact: 01483 418271 / 07768 740969 (before 9pm); becca@heathfarmequestrian.co.uk;
www.munsteadhorsetrials.com
Location: Surrey
Entries open: 20 February
Ballot date: 4 March at 12 noon
Entries close: 18 March
Link to Munstead (1) entries: www.britisheventing.com/munstead1
How to get there
Follow signs to Godalming. Take the B2130 off the relief road. Follow the road up the hill and the event is three-quarters of a mile on the left. See website for detailed directions.
What the organisers say
Our sponsor is the country property firm Coverwood.
Both the dressage and showjumping are on level grass. There is a huge flat dressage warm-up area. The showjumping course will be suitable for first-timers and novice horses.
We have a new BE80(T) cross-country course for 2015, and the BE90 and BE100 courses will be updated. The courses run over fairly flat terrain using the natural undulations. Our sandy going is never hard or boggy, and is at its best in March. We have specialist ground care machinery to ensure that the going is as good as possible. The ground drains brilliantly and can take a huge amount of rain. The fences are inviting and flowing. All the more difficult ones have alternatives.
We pride ourselves on being a great event for first-timers, novice combinations and young horses. We are a very compact site, so there is not too much walking for supporters and spectators between phases.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is held in a large field adjacent to the driveway, with a large warm-up area of very short grass, but good sandy soil.” “The arenas were on a slight slope and the going slightly uneven, and last year they got quite cut up.” “The showjumping warm-up is next to a primary school playground which was busy last year, but the warm-up is quite roomy.” “The showjumping arena is flat, but quite small with Jump for Joy type fences next to the tradestand area.” “The ground can be a bit hard, but with good drainage for the time of year.” “The showjumping is perfect for young horses at their first event as it’s quiet and straightforward.”
Cross-country — “The cross-country course is around two massive, open fields with one or two copsed areas on good sandy soil.” “Good viewing course for spectators.” “Most of the fences seem straightforward and some are of a more basic sort of homemade design, and are suitable for a first-timer, although there seemed to be a number of problems last year on the BE90 day.” “Quite a few of the BE100 fences were the same as the BE90.” “The water is a muddy red puddle and the course is often open for schooling, so the take-offs and landings can sometimes get a bit deep.” “The cross-country can be a little unimaginative, but does serve a good purpose for the young horses. Both courses are on the soft side, so don’t take your older, more experienced horses. The ground is generally good though.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
BE100 Pony Club: 82%
BE100 Open: 84%
BE100: 76%
BE90 Open: 58%
BE90: 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