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 20 – Sunday 21 June 2015
Organiser: Gillie Cranfield
Contact: 01473 827596; gillie@waterhousefarm.com; www.shht.co.uk
Location: Essex
Entries open: 13 May
Ballot date: 27 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 10 June
Link to Stratford Hills entries: www.britisheventing.com/stratfordhills
How to get there
Grid reference TM056358. Stratford Hills is 200m west of the A12, between Ipswich and Colchester.
What the organisers say
The water complex is undergoing extensive redesigning, which will make it significantly bigger and more flexible, giving increased options for all classes.
We are introducing a BE80(T) and will be building a new course over the same countryside as the BE90 and BE100. The novice will extend into a further field as normal. All tracks will be undulating and incorporate a wooded area as well as a varied selection of old and new obstacles.
The BE80(T) will be a nice low-end introduction to eventing, the BE90 will suit the inexperienced and the BE100 and novice courses will be up to height but reasonably straightforward.
The dressage and showjumping will be on the usual flat fields and have good warm-up areas.
The grass cover over the whole site is now well established and all areas will be aera-vated if necessary. We will also run in very wet conditions.
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In 2015 we are raising money for Success After Stroke, a local charity that provides support for stroke survivors at the end of their six-week rehabilitation programme with the NHS.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage warm-up and arenas flat and behind the tradestands in a good location.” “The ground in the warm-up can be a bit firm but there is plenty of room.” “The showjumping warm-up area and arena are well laid out in front of the tradestands with plenty of room, but again can be firm.”
Cross-country — “Quite a distance from the lorry park but the cross-country is located in beautiful, rolling countryside and is quite hilly, requiring a fit horse.” “Fences are very well built, and have mainly followed the same route for a while with one or two modifications, and a new bank complex near the end.” “Up to height but rides very well.” “Suitable for first-timers.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
NRF: 89%
IN: 76%
ONU18: 80%
ON: 94%
N: 84%
BE100U18: 74%
BE100 Pony: 65%
BE100 Open: 79%
BE100: 73%
BE90 Open: 74%
BE90: 69%
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.