Horseheath Horse Trials, situated on the Thurlow Estate, just four miles west of Haverhill, off the A1307, take place over two days and attract over 600 competitors, from across the region, who come to compete in classes from BE80 (T) to BE100 in all three disciplines including Dressage, Show Jumping and Cross Country.
New for 2018, and in order to encourage newcomers to Horseheath Horse Trials, there will be prizes and rosettes for the highest place first-timer in each class. Additionally the highest place Wobbleberry will receive a video of their round courtesy of Eventful Life with a helpful critique voiceover from Wobbleberry Patron Andrew Hoy.
The cross country course has been designed by BE Course Designer Tina Ure, a British Eventing Accredited coach and a member of the Eastern regional U18 Coaching team. Commenting on 2018 she said:
“The focus for winter development at Horseheath has been on building more fences, so there will be a significant number of new jumping questions. We are very grateful to Thurlow Estates for providing a large quantity of timber from their woodlands for our course builder David Carpenter to work with.
The track in April will follow a similar route to Horseheath 1 in 2017, allowing good use to be made of the open land within the racecourse and the undulating terrain. Changes will be made to both the water feature and the ditch fences for this year.”
Horseheath Horse Trials is unique in offering spectators excellent views across the whole XC course from a single vantage point.
Spectators are welcome, as are dogs on leads, over the two days with plenty of catering from Jacks Snacks, Mel’s Magical Crepes, Caffee Mobile and The Honest Food Company, Ooh La Pasta and Pimms served from a specially converted horsebox. The entry fee of £5 per person is donated and split between the Air Ambulance Service and Maggie’s Centre Cambridge. There will be plenty of trade stands to peruse including Tiggas Saddlery and Binder.
In addition to principle sponsor PWC, additional sponsors include Carter Jonas, NFU, Duck Plumbing & Heating, Saffrey Champness, Top Spec, Newmarket Equine Hospital, Taylor Vinters, Raythorns Solicitors, Rossdales, Lockheart Garrett, Andrew Hodge, Ernest Doe, Simple Systems and Binder has agreed to sponsor the Posh Loos – which were a big hit and much admired in the past.