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 24 – Sunday 26 April 2015
Organisers: Philip Latham and Jane Whitaker
Contact: 07807 120921; britisheventing@kelsallhill.co.uk; www.kelsallhill.co.uk
Location: Cheshire
Entries open: 20 March
Ballto date: 3 April at 12 noon
Entries close: 14 April
Link to Kelsall (1) entries: www.britisheventing.com/kelsall1
How to get there
At Organsdale Farm, Middlewich Road, Kelsall, Tarporley, Cheshire CW6 0SR. The event is 10 miles north of Chester on the A54 (M6 junction 18).
What the organisers say
Kelsall Hill is in the ideal place to host an event. There is ample parking with none of the sections of the event being too far away and a large number of varied tradestands.
The dressage area has been laser-levelled with enough room between arenas.
The large showjumping arena allows us to move the fences if the ground gets poached. The course is built by professional designer Sue Barrett.
The undulating cross-country course is kept solely for the use of the British Eventing fixtures.
The fences are built by professional fence builders (David Evans and team). The course is designed
by Mark Phillips.
Both the fences and layout out of the course are being continually updated and altered. There is water in the middle of the course and a ski jump later on. If necessary the ground will be agri-vated.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage warm-up is on a bit of a slope, but the arenas are well spaced out and flat.” “Showjumping is up to height but fair.” “There is always plenty to look at with marquees around. It’s very well presented, but not a first-time event.”
Cross-country — “The cross-country is not an easy track — it is challenging in a nice way and if you ride positively it’s an encouraging experience and will bring on a horse/rider combination.” “It’s not a good first-time intermediate as there is enough to do, but I would recommend the trip for more experienced combinations.” “Super courses that are well built and up to height. Undulating and fun to ride, plus excellent viewing for spectators.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
AI: 84%
OI: 76%
I: 81%
ON: 85%
N: 87%
BE100 Open: 91%
BE100: 85%
BE90: 74%
BE80(T): 73%
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