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 23 — Monday 25 May 2015
Organisers: Tweseldown Equisport
Contact: Jill Lamont, 01483 767336 / 07801 191609; jandplamont@ntlworld.com;
www.tweseldown.co.uk
Location: Hampshire
Entries open: 18 April
Ballot date: 4 May at 12 noon
Entries close: 13 May
Link to Tweseldown entries: www.britisheventing.com/tweseldown2
How to get there
Grid reference SU826520. Tweseldown Racecourse is three miles from Aldershot, Fleet and Farnham on the un-numbered (army) Bourley road.
What the organisers say
Tweseldown is on the site of an historic point-to-point racecourse and events have been run there since it hosted the 1948 Olympic cross-country. The whole site is based on sand, which gives rapid drainage and ensures good going all the year round.
Dressage is in grass arenas, with ample space between arenas and for riding in.
There are two showjumping arenas. Intermediate classes are always in the international arena, which has raised viewing on two sides. The courses are designed by Mike Benfield.
The cross-country courses are designed by Adrian Ditcham and make use of both the good, old permanent grass of the racecourse areas and the central area, with a hill, double water jump and substantial drainage ditches. This allows for a rich variety of fences asking different questions appropriate to the level of competition. The courses and fences are prepared by Dominic Moore of Jump 1 and are always well presented.
There is a large area of hard standing for parking.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Dressage arenas are flat but relatively busy.” “The dressage is near the lorry park, with lots of arenas, but the horses always seem to settle.” “There is plenty of warm-up and lovely stewards.” “The jumping is up to height and technical enough. The collecting ring was next to the arena this time, which is a good improvement.” “The showjumping is in a lovely big arena with plenty of room.” “The going is always very good and the courses are always well built and usually up to height.”
Cross-country — “Great first-time intermediate. I have not been to Tweseldown for a while and the changes are super, making the cross-country a lot more flowing and enjoyable to ride.” “The courses are very educational and suitable first-time-at-that-level tracks. “The going is always perfect cross-country as it’s very sandy.” “The horses get into a good rhythm and spectators can see the majority of the track from the mound.” “The warm-up is flat and on sandy going too.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
OI: 56%
I: 52%
ONU18: 72%
NRF: 84%
N: 59%
BE100: 85%
BE90 Open: 70%
BE90: 62%
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.