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 30 — Sunday 31 May 2015
Organisers: Janet and Vicky Plant
Contact: 01785 284187; info@brandhallht.co.uk; www.brandhallht.co.uk
Location: Shropshire
Entries open: 24 April
Ballot date: 8 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 20 May
Link to Brand Hall entries: www.britisheventing.com/brandhall
How to get there
Brand Hall must be approached off the A53 Newcastle-under-Lyme to Shrewsbury road. Take the turning signed Norton-in-Hales. Follow all horse trials signs and do not go through the village.
What the organisers say
The CCIJ* and CCIP* will be the final trials for the junior and pony European Championships. Sponsors: Siddle Equine CIC*, Racesafe CCIJ*, Charles Owen CCIP* and Blue Chip BE90.
All CCIJ*, CCIP* and CIC* competitors will do dressage and showjumping in the well-prepared, flat main arena on old turf surrounded by tradestands. The showjumping will be fair and up to height. There is a large warm-up area. The novice and BE90, including the four-year-olds, will have quiet dressage arenas away from the main arena on excellent flat old turf.
Janet Plant’s cross-country courses run over rolling wooded parkland. There are portable and permanent fences, which are solid and imposing. Each class runs over a different, testing but fair course. The BE90 is a perfect introduction to the sport and runs in front of the Georgian house. The going is usually good whatever the weather — an equi-vator will be used to improve it if necessary.
The CCIJ* will include new loops and fences. There will be changes to all tracks.
The novice and BE90 courses are intended to give confidence. The pony championship and CCIJ* will be imposing courses set to a high standard. The CIC* is a stepping stone to this level.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage warm-up was large and flat, and the arenas good and level.” “The dressage is run within sight of the cross-country and a hedge at the end of the arenas encourages horses to peek over.” “The showjumping warm-up was good and large, but the arena could have made use of better space, again it was tucked away behind a hedge.” “Fairly technical jumping track with lots of bright fences.”
Cross-country — “Run across beautiful parkland with good mature grass cover.” “BE90 very straightforward and suitable first-timer run.” “Novice not too technical but bold enough track.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CCIJ*: 70%
CIC*: 70%
BPC: 38%
ONU18: 75%
N: 72%
BE90: 86%
4YO: 83%
Download part one of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part one
Buy Eventing magazine’s April issue for our full horse trials guide detailing every event from July to October 2015 or purchase a digital copy of the guide here.