Update to competitors who have entered (and remain entered!) for the re-arranged Areas 4 and 5 Horse Trials to be held at Somerford Park Farm on Sunday the 24th July.

(Webmaster: There is likely to be a further updates with the final update being on Thursday, please check back! Thank you)

Ground Conditions & weather

The ground conditions on the Cross Country course at Somerford are improving. We had rain for most of yesterday but today has been very warm and sunny. We are forecast to have reasonably good weather from now until Sunday with the exception of Wednesday which is forecast to have thunderstorms. The course will be inspected again on Wednesday and I expect to issue a further bulletin thereafter. It may be that, even if the XC course is not usable (unlikely we hope), we will decide to proceed with a two phase competition in the expectation that HQ will allow qualifiers from that competition to take part at the Championships. It has been pointed out to HQ that, according to the PC website, members could enter the so-called “Elite” (non-qualifying) Eventing competition at the Championships without proving any experience whatsoever and therefore we can see no justification for any such requirement for the qualifying competition. We will do our best to keep you informed.

Dressage

We will be using the Area Eventing dressage tests as per the schedule and, except in the most exceptional circumstances (none recorded to date), commanders will not be allowed. This is, of course, only of relevance to those Area 5 competitors who are also doing the Area 5 Dressage competition at the same venue on the same day. We are liaising closely with our colleagues at Cheshire Hunt North who are organising the Area 5 Dressage to ensure there are no time clashes and as much time as possible is allowed between tests.

Note – there will be 7 dressage arenas altogether – 5 for the Area 5 Dressage and 2 for the Ares 4 & 5 Eventing – make sure you know which arena you are in for which test.

Show Jumping

As indicated above, we are only using two dressage arenas for AE and therefore the SJ arena will have far less riders than usual feeding in. Please ensure you get to the Arena as soon as possible and we will get you in as soon as we can. The Arena will be quite close to the dressage arenas.

Cross Country

You should be aware that the XC start is just over a mile from the parking area, which will be adjacent to the dressage and SJ arenas. It will be signed. A horse will walk at about 4 miles per hour so you should allow AT LEAST 20 minutes to walk to the XC warm-up area. You will be given at least one hour between your SJ and XC times (1hour 20 minutes for the Novice class) so please use it wisely. The walk is mostly on sand tracks but there are some short hard-core tracks also. We suggest you do not stud-up until you reach the XC start field.

Access to the parking area –CW12 4SN

Please note, we will be using an entrance which is adjacent to the main parking area NOT THE SOMERFORD PARK FARM main entrance. This entrance (a 14 foot field gate) is just over half a mile south of the main SPF entrance on the left hand side as you travel toward Congleton from junction 18 of the M6 through Holmes Chapel – use postcode CW12 4SN not the usual SPF postcode (CW12 4SW) for Satnavs. DO NOT TURN INTO THE MAIN ENTRANCE – THERE IS NO VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE SHOWGROUND. There will be warning signs prior to the entrance so please slow down well before you get to the gate. The A54 is a single carriageway road and although visibility is reasonable you do need to prepare for a 90’ turn. Approaching from the south, from the Congleton direction, the gateway is just over half a mile from the Chelford Road / Sandy Lane off-set crossroads on the right-hand side and again will be signed. The turn in will be a little easier but you will have to look out for oncoming traffic.

Facilities

All normal facilities will be provided (Public catering/Toilets/Vet/Paramedic etc.) but there will NOT be a farrier on site.

Time-table

A draft timetable is set out below for guidance. All classes will start with Area 5 teams followed by Area 5 individuals, then Area 4 teams and Area 4 individuals in that order on the basis of furthest to travel go last where circumstances permit.

Regards … Geoff

T I M E T A B L E (approximate and subject to change)

Class 1PC90 Class 2PC100 Class 3PC Open Class 4
Dressage A & B 8.30 a.m. – 11.15 a.m. A & B 11.30 a.m.–1.12 p.m. 1.30 p.m. – 2.40 p.m.
Show Jumping 10.10 a.m. – 11.50 a.m. 1.00 p.m.– 2.00 p.m. 2.45 p.m. – 3.15 p.m.
Cross Country 11.30 a.m.– 1.15 p.m. 2.00 p.m.- 3.00 p.m. 3.45 p.m. – 4.15 p.m.
Numbers 1 – 52 201 – 234 301 – 313