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 1 – Sunday 2 August 2015
Organiser: Joanne Verey
Contact: 07737 256816; calmsdenevents@gmail.com; jo@ampneydownequestrian.co.uk; secretary Sarah Taylor info@swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk; www.calmsdenevents.com
Location: Gloucestershire
Entries open: 27 June
Ballot date: 13 July at 12 noon
Entries close: 22 July
Link to Calmsden (1) entries: www.britisheventing.com/calmsden-1
How to get there
The event is at Ampney Down Farm, GL7 5EU. It is three miles north-east of Cirencester with easy access from the M4, M5 and A429.
What the organisers say
Calmsden is sponsored by Equifeast.
The August event will see the introduction of a new track for our BE80(T) class. This course will be well built and welcoming for new entrants to the sport. We will make use of our undulating ground, but all fences will be positioned with great care and the ground will be very well prepared, aera-vated and watered if necessary.
The BE80(T) course will stay at the top of our course, there will be a very small climb towards the end. The BE90 and BE100 tracks will be similar to our autumn courses, but with some new interesting combinations. The BE90 and BE100 fences are again very well built by Andrew Hunter and up to height, therefore some experience at these levels would be an advantage.
Ampney Down Farm is a downland farm and the going is established, well-draining grass. The terrain is undulating and there is an uphill climb towards the end of the course so a reasonably fit horse is required. Fixed and portable obstacles are used and there is a good variety of fences, including steps, ski jumps, ditches and a sunken road.
The water jumps are at the end of the course for all three tracks.
We will endeavour to post pictures on our Facebook site and website.
The October event will include BE90, BE100 and novice classes. The cross-country course will run down into the valley and includes hedges, walls, ditches, sunken road crossing and water. Each track will have three combinations or more. See updates on our website.
The showjumping arena is centrally positioned, allowing good access to the dressage and the cross-country. The dressage is on grass and within easy reach of the lorry park.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage was flat and well spaced-out away from the cross-country with plenty of warm-up space.” “The showjumping was on a slight slope with tradestands and the lorry park surrounding it.” “The warm-up was quite tight.” “The course was a good test with not many clears.” “Held in a big, fairly flat ring with up-to-height tracks.”
Cross-country — “The course was a good, strong test on undulating ground with a steep hill towards the end of the course causing tired horses to struggle.” “Good, professional water jump towards the end of the course requiring positive riding.” “Not suitable for young horses or less experienced combinations.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
New event for 2015
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two