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 11 – Sunday 13 September 2015
Organiser: Pattie Biden
Contact: 07836 644818; pattie-anne@madasafish.com; www.gatcombe-events.co.uk
Location: Gloucestershire
Entries open: 6 August
Ballot date: 20 August at 12 noon
Entries close: 1 September
Link to Gatcombe (2) entries: www.britisheventing.com/gatcombe-2
How to get there
Gatcombe Park is on the Avening to Minchinhampton road. Grid reference ST882992.
What the organisers say
We are known to have a relaxed friendly horse trials.
The dressage and showjumping areas are the same as usual, on flat ground close to the horsebox park. The showjumping warm-up is sited differently in March and September to ensure the best going.
The cross-country courses have a number of portable fences to ensure that the ground is not overused and different questions are asked. All classes have water jumps. The CIC2* course is on a different track to the intermediate. The CIC* also has different fences and tracks to the novice course.
This fixture is sponsored by Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is quiet for an international event.” “The ground is flat, although the warm-up is on a slight hill.” “It can be a little bit firm in the dressage if it hasn’t rained.” “The showjumping warm-up is on quite a steep hill and is tricky because it’s right next to the cross-country.” “The arena is quite electric and I wouldn’t suggest it as a first international track because it’s really up to height.” “Quite a high level of difficulty, but a great track and on a bit of a camber.”
Cross-country — “The course is decent enough, hilly and quite twisty, so better suited to a nippy horse.” “Quite a few turning questions and skinnies and an educational track if you’re moving up a level.” “Need a fit horse because they incorporate hills.” “They always try hard with the going as it can get a bit firm, but that’s more the time of the year than bad ground.” “There’s not a huge warm-up but they always have plenty of practice fences and there’s enough space for a decent canter.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CIC2*: 43%
OI: 81%
I: 73%
CIC*: 79%
ON: 90%
N: 78%
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two