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 16 — Sunday 17 May 2015
Organiser: Diana Bown
Contact: 07721 438091; dianacbown@aol.com
Location: Monmouthshire
Entries open: 10 April
Ballot date: 25 April at 12 noon
Entries close: 6 May
Link to Mount Ballan entries: www.britisheventing.com/mountballan
How to get there
Mount Ballan is 10min from the old Severn Bridge (M48), west of Chepstow towards Newport and just off the A48 at the David Broome Event Centre.
What the organisers say
The dressage is sited in grass arenas close to the lorry park.
The showjumping is on the main all-weather arena with a good viewing area. The track is designed by Edward Williams.
The cross-country crosses partly undulating ground on good grassland, which will be aerated if necessary. The tracks run through David Broome’s farmland and in the parkland of Caldicot Castle. There is a mixture of permanent and portable fences, plus a couple of banks. There is a water jump for all levels. Eric Winter will be making improvements to all tracks for 2015.
The courses are straightforward and flowing, fitting in the middle range of difficulty. A wide variety of educational questions are asked on all tracks.
Refreshments are available all day in the main pavilion.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “The dressage is close to the lorry park and set in a quiet area.” “The ground was better than in previous years, but the arena is situated on a bit of a slope.” “The showjumping is held on a lovely large arena with a good sand surface and lots of room.” “The banners can be spooky for young horses, but a great education for them.” “The warm-up practice fence is in a very small area, and it’s a bit tight, especially if there are a few horses. It would be better if you could warm-up on the surface alongside the competition arena.”
Cross-country — “Well built, fair course with some technical questions at all levels.” “A good open water complex.” “The track runs the same direction as previous years.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
ON: 80%
N: 61%
BE100 Open: 79%
BE100: 77%
BE90 Open: 60%
BE90: 72%
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.