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 22 — Sunday 24 May 2015
President: David Laing
Organisers: James and Lizzie Saunders Watson
Contact: 01536 770240; www.rockinghamcastlehorsetrials.com
Location: Northamptonshire
Entries open: 17 April
Ballot date: 1 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 12 May
Link to Rockingham entries: www.britisheventing.com/rockingham
How to get there
Postcode LE16 8TH. For directions and maps visit the website.
What the organisers say
Our principle sponsor is King West.
Robert Loomes & Co have again offered one of their beautiful hand-built watches to the winner of the open intermediate. Ireland’s Austin O’Connor was last year’s delighted winner. There is a total prize-fund of £2,000 for the CIC2*, with £500 going to the winner, while £1,000 is available in the CIC*, with the winner claiming £250.
All phases are within a few minutes’ walk of the lorry park.
The showjumping course is designed by Martin Cox and Graham Haynes. The dressage area is generally flat with large warm-up areas.
The cross-country courses, designed by Philip Herbert and Mark Phillips, are built on old parkland turf and over undulating countryside with straightforward, up-to-height fences. There are several ditches and a good water jump, plus a range of portables and new fences. There are alternatives at the more difficult combinations.
For the first time Rockingham will host a qualifier of the Burghley young event horse. We also have a qualifier for the new arena eventing competition at BE90 and BE100, over showjumps and cross-country fences. The finals take place at Blenheim in September.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage has a massive warm-up with good flat arenas on good going.” “The warm-up for showjumping in the one-star and intermediate was spacious, and the courses were up to height and fair, but they needed riding.” “The showjumping again has lots of atmosphere, and has the international feeling.” “It’s a very popular event and this makes it very competitive.” “The lorry park is easy to get to and very flat.”
Cross-country — “A stunning location and beautifully and intelligently built courses.” “The cross-country is undulating but also very educational.” “It would be a good course for horses having their last run at that level and about to step up.” “The ground preparation is brilliant and the fences are dressed well.” “It’s a good viewing course too.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
CIC2*: 85%
AI: 89%
OI: 85%
I: 74%
CIC*: 77%
ONU18: 86%
N: 85%
BE100: 66%
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.