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 29 – Monday 31 August 2015
Organiser: David Sheerin
Contact: 07866 514305; david.s@wellington-riding.co.uk
Location: Hampshire
Entries open: 24 July
Ballot date: 7 August at 12 noon
Entries close: 19 August
Link to Wellington entries: www.britisheventing.com/wellington
How to get there
Between Reading and Basingstoke in Heckfield, Hook and within easy reach of both the M3 and M4.
What the organisers say
Our sponsor is KBIS British Equestrian Insurance.
Wellington will host a CIC3* for one year only, to help competitors affected by the fact Blair is not running one this year due to the European Championships.
The dressage is on good, flat ground on old pasture, close to the lorry park. There is plenty of space for warm-up and the CIC dressage will take place here too.
The showjumping is in the main ring, centrally located within the tradestands, with an additional ring this year for separate warm-up and courses for some classes.
Eric Winter’s cross-country tracks run over gentle, rolling hills using the natural dips and hollows. There is a large water complex halfway round the course. There will be a good mix of permanent and portable fences. The courses will be built to a high standard by Adrian Ditcham and his team. All tracks will be near to maximum length and provide a fair test. Fences will be up to height. There are alternatives at the technical fences.
The viewing is excellent.
What the riders say
Dressage & showjumping — “Good, flat dressage arenas with plenty of warm-up space, well away from the jumping.” “The ground held up well considering how much rain they had.” “The showjumping is on good old turf with lots of atmosphere. There is a country fair going so lots of distractions. The courses jump well and are up to height.” “Warm-up on slight slope.”
Cross-country — “The event did very well to carry on running this year as it rained non-stop all day. The ground also held up.” “The course uses the natural landscape and undulations well. The fences are all well displayed and it’s another course for fit horses.” “It’s a shame they don’t run a novice.” “Solidly built course to attack, with a variety of questions. The advanced coffin had a very technical exit with no long route until just before the class started, which caused many faults.”
Percentage of cross-country clears 2014
A: 50%
A8/9YO: 50%
OI: 85%
OIU21: 77%
I: 79%
BE100 Pony: 85%
BE100 Open: 83%
BE100: 82%
Download part two of the horse trials guide for just £1.49: Eventing horse trials guide part two