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 17 – Sunday 19 April 2015
Organiser: Bede Events
Contact: 01949 829061; info@bedeltd.co.uk; www.bede-events.com
Location: Lincolnshire
Entries open: 6 March
Ballot date: 20 March at 12 noon
Entries close: 6 April
Link to Belton entries: www.britisheventing.com/belton
How to get there
Three miles north of Grantham, two miles from A1.
What the organisers say
Belton’s sponsors are Lycetts and Select Lincolnshire.
The cross-country course will be reversed in 2015 to provide a change, having last been run in this direction six years ago. The start and finish will be moved, and riders will not have to cross traffic to access this. As before, the ground is sandy and drains well.
All showjumping will take place in the same arena, but this will be enlarged as per advanced rider requests. Beau Wood designs the showjumping tracks.
The advanced, CIC3* and CIC2* dressage will be in the main arenas.
Belton attracts large crowds, and the atmosphere of the event is ideal for those wishing to expose horses to a true international arena. The cross-country tracks are big, bold, galloping courses, with plenty of questions.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “I like the layout changes and continuous improvements to the facilities and tracks.” “Dressage areas worked well and showjumping was better in terms of space and layout especially for the warm-up, although I preferred it when the main class had the showjumping in the main arena.” “A classic of the eventing calendar — the three-star dressage is very atmospheric.” “The novice and intermediate dressage had rather rough and uneven arenas.” “Showjumping times were all very tight especially for the higher classes, which raised a few eyebrows.” “Showjumping is up to height but a fair test before the spring three-day events.” “The event creates more of an atmosphere for horses in the dressage and showjumping with the layout of marquees and entertainment, which is good experience for higher level classes.”
Cross-country — “Continuous improvement on the ground is in evidence which is much appreciated.” “The courses develop more and more each year — some fences don’t really work for me in terms of distances, but the team made a wise decision to take one of these out after a few problems experienced by people — I’m sure the culprit fences will have a rethink ahead of 2015 event.” “The event is a good step up in terms of an advanced question, which is what is needed at this time of year.” “All the courses are strong and up to height but typically ride well.” “It’s a joy to ride around a park like this.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CIC3*: 75%
A: 80%
CIC2*: 92%
OIU21: 67%
OI: 89%
I: 80%
ONU18: 66%
N: 84%
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