The British Eventing designated course is situated on the beautiful Thurlow Estate, just four miles west of Haverhill, located on the south side of the A1307; additionally good transport links from the M11 allow riders an easy journey when travelling from further afield. The postcode for Horseheath Racecourse is CB21 4QP.
The location of the horse trials really does make for a spectator-friendly day out, the majority of the cross country course can be viewed from one position, with the NFU Mutual sponsored water feature being a focal point. The beautiful location is coupled with a challenging, yet inviting gently, undulating course, designed differently each year by Tina Ure (BE Accredited Coach & East region U18 Coach); along with twenty five new jumps supplied by David Carpenter (Burghley course builder) and James Willis (Badminton Course builder).
Centred close to the water feature is the secretaries tent and an array of trade stands, including a tack shop, various food and drinks stands, which makes for realitively easy and enjoyable naviagation around the event. Competitors and spectators alike will be kept refreshed by the unique converted trailer serving Pimms, amongst over catering facitilites throughout the day.
All spectators are welcomed, as are dogs on leads, over the two day event with a small entry fee of £5, donations from which are given to the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Maggie’s Centre, Cambridge. Also back by very popular demand, is the ‘Posh Loos’- an instant hit with competitors and spectators alike, ensuring a countryside day out is a litte more comfortable – kindly sponsored by Binders.
These horse trials would not be possible without the prinicpal sponsor PWC, who have put a great deal of time and effort into helping the organisers make what we hope will be a successful and enjoyable event.
Other class and fence sponsors include Cartar Jonas Estate Agency, Global Herbs, Andrew Hodge, Newmarket Equine Hospital (who will also be the attending Veterinarian during the event) and Saffrey Champness. To capture the thrills of the weekend, we are delighted to welcome back ‘An Eventful Life’ who will be providing high-quality cross country course videos to competitors of their round.
Along with new course designs: a change in direction to form an anti-clockwise course and 25 new fences, is the maticulous ground management through irrigation and equivation- with tractors kindly supplied by Ernest Doe. This work will ensure good going for the competitors and their horses throughout the two days of competition. Several companies have kindly donated prizes to winning competitors including TopSpec and WellGel Horse Products.
On behalf of the family, Tim Vestey has said,
“Once again we are looking forward to welcoming back competitors to our venue for the third time and to continue our partnership with British Eventing; providing another exciting event for competitors in the east region. The invaluable help and support we receive from Tina Ure and David Carpenter ensure our competitors and their horses enjoy an exciting and beautifully designed course, we look forward to seeing its progression and how it goes over the August 12th and 13th weekend”.
Thurlow Estate along with British Eventing hope that the third event is just as enjoyable and successful as the previous two- along with being one of many more affiliated events to come.
Entries for the event are open on the 7th July 2017 (ballot date on the 21st July 2017); all entries information and schedules can be found online at:
http://www.britisheventing.com/asp-net/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=5003
Anyone interested in regular updates can keep up to date on the Horseheath Horse Trials Facebook page or follow @horseheath_HT on Twitter.
