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 19 – Sunday 20 September 2015
Organisers: Lady Mowbray and John Johnstone
Contact: John 07768 864544; john.jl.johnstone@btinternet.com; Lady Mowbray 07809 042637; nellstourton@hotmail.com; www.allertonparkhorsetrials.co.uk
Location: North Yorkshire
Entries open: 14 August
Ballot date: 24 August at 12 noon
Entries close: 9 September
Link to Allerton Park entries: www.brithseventing.com/allerton-park
How to get there
Just off A1(M) motorway. Direct access from A168 which runs parallel to the A1(M) on section north of A59/A1(M) and south of Boroughbridge. Grid reference SE415578. Postcode HG5 0SE.
What the organisers say
The event takes place in an historic, 250-acre park with lakes and scenic views. The arenas are all easily accessible from the lorry park.
The new dressage area has a very generous warm-up space and flat arenas on well-drained, old pasture away from too many distractions. The large, flat showjumping arena forms the atmospheric central hub to this vibrant, friendly event.
Ian Stark has designed the cross-country tracks to encourage forward riding, and to be varied and educational. The four courses run through extensive parkland and wooded areas, with natural features of the rolling landscape used to enhance a variety of bold jumps and combinations including an island water complex.
This is a great event to work towards, to complete your season. Several of our BE100 and novice regulars say: “Allerton is my Bramham/Burghley”. The advanced is ideal for a final run-up to the end of season three-day events and the intermediate for an autumn two-star.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Huge warm-up for the dressage and flat dressage arenas with plenty of space between each arena.” “Spectators are kept separate from the horses so you don’t need to worry about running someone over!” “The showjumping warm-up is on a slight slope, but the showjumping arena is big and next to marquees which adds to the atmosphere.” “A very fair course.” “The dressage and cross-country are a fair walk away from the lorry park.”
Cross-country — “Beautifully built course over varied terrain. You need a fit horse as they are fairly long tracks with a few questions late on in the course, but plenty of alternatives.” “The ground is worked on, but is generally good anyway as it’s run on old parkland.” “Would suit first-timers as it’s a fair test, but the tougher questions have alternatives and plenty of let-up fences.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
A: 81%
OI: 86%
I: 88%
N: 74%
IN: 86%
BE100 Open: 80%
BE100: 75%
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two