Withington Manor Horse Trials

Dressage: Flat dressage arenas are sited on permanent grass with a road between the show jumping and cross country action. The dressage warm-up takes place in a quiet adjoining 16 acre field. All classes will be able to partake in a section that will perform one of the FEI International dressage tests suitable for that level. The arenas will be mowed with the center line clearly defined. Access to the dressage warm up area, which passes the dressage arenas themselves, can be reached within 5 minutes on foot from the furthest part of the lorry park. Feedback from ERA riders reported that: “Nice big field with plenty of space (and) flat”. One competitor wrote stating, “You did absolute wonders with the ground, especially doing the dressage warm up – an area usually overlooked but where we do the most work on our horses”.

Show jumping: Steve Williams designs the show jumping in a large, flat, permanent grass area. The tracks will be up to height and of medium technicality. The warm up area is also a large flat permanent grass area adjacent to the arena itself. The jumps will be dressed with flowers. If conditions necessitate it, the arena and warm-up area will be aerovated. Access to the show jumping warm up area can be reached within 6 minutes on foot from the furthest part of the lorry park. ERA feedback was: “good ground, slightly downhill which allowed questions to be asked with related fences” and “big and spacious, ground had been worked on”. “Reasonable test but not over difficult and flowed nicely” This phase is at the center of everything so there is quite a buzz.

Cross Country: Eric Winter designs the cross country courses that run over undulating grassland with some small woodland elements on well-draining permanent pasture. The fences are solidly built, up to height and mainly permanent. There are ditches, steps, arrowheads, corners and a water complex, all with good ground lines, creating flowing and attackable courses. Alternatives are available at some of the more difficult fences. There are four permanent cross country practice fences, two of which are available for each day of competition. The event is only run once a year so that the best ground conditions are assured with rolling, aerovating and sheep grazing taking place throughout the year. The undulating nature of the ground does require horses to be fit and a good rhythm will need to be established as the courses make full use of the terrain. All the fences will be dressed with flowers and trees. If conditions necessitate it, the courses will be aerovated. Access to the cross country warm up area can be reached within 6 minutes on foot from the furthest part of the lorry park. A seating area for spectators is provided in the middle of the cross country courses making excellent viewing. Once again ERA feedback reported: “fantastic conditions in this weather (very dry), nice up to height, strong course, with lovely water complex” and “upper end for level and undulating, beautiful fences and rode nicely”.