Page updated 20 May
Contacts:
Head of Eventing – Sally Harris 07775 882632 crispinharris1@gmail.com
Eventing links flatwork and jumping, and involves competing across 3 disciplines – dressage, show jumping and cross-country. The scores from each discipline are combined to produce an overall total.
In East Cheshire, we offer dressage and show jumping rallies at different levels and also opportunities to compete. Please see the separate Dressage and Show Jumping pages for further information.
Cross-country involves riding across the countryside in canter or gallop and jumping solid fences. The solid fences can include fences at an angle, combination fences, narrow fences, water jumps, ditches and steps up and down. Some describe eventing as the ultimate test for both horse and rider.
In East Cheshire, we offer cross-country rallies at two levels (grassroots and 80cm+) and multiple opportunities to compete on behalf of the branch on a team or individual basis (see below).
A. Rallies
♦ Grassroots Eventing Rallies:
Description: These sessions are an introduction to jumping solid fences and are a “starting point” to cross country. They are aimed at our younger or less experienced members, who are confidently jumping solid fences of 60cm to 70cm in height. They are also suitable for our more experienced members who may be riding a young or inexperienced horse.
Suitable for: To attend these rallies, pony and rider combinations must be safe in an open space. These rallies are not suitable for riders still on the lead rein.
Format: 1 hour sessions, max. 4 per group
Entry fee: Varies, according to venue
Dates 2023:
Sunday 14 May
At Somerford Park Farm (Grassroots Development Zone)
Time: 10am – 12noon
Instructor: TBC
Cap: £37Tuesday 30 May (Half Term)
*For those jumping 70cm, including those hoping to enter the new 70cm area qualifier at Llanymynech
At Somerford Park Farm (80 Acres XC Schooling)
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Instructor: Tyler Cassells
Cap: £39Saturday 17 June
At Somerford Park Farm (Grassroots Development Zone)
Time: 10am – 12noon
Instructor: David Llewellyn
Cap: £37
All entries on Entrymaster. Please ensure you have read the XC Rally Notes information below before entering.
Times will be emailed two days before the rally.
♦ Cross-Country Rallies
Description: These rallies are for those riders who are experienced jumping solid fences. They are suitable for riders who may be either aiming towards their first eventing competition, or for our more experienced eventers who want to progress through the British Eventing competition levels. These rallies are also a perfect opportunity for a pre-competition outing.
Suitable for: Members who are confidently jumping solid XC fences 80cm, 90cm, 100cm and 100cm+. We advise all ponies/horses at this level should be shod all-round, with studs at the owner’s discretion.
Format: 1 hour sessions, max. 4 per group
Entry fee: Varies, according to venue
Dates 2023:
Sunday 21 May*
(70cm – 100cm+)
At Somerford Park Farm (80 Acres XC Schooling)
Time: 10am – 12noon
Instructor: Amy Lennon* (70 & 80cm) + TBC (90 & 100cm+)
Cap: £39*Amy Lennon’s group – this rally will be of interest to anyone considering competing in the new Area Horse Trials 70cm class. Amy will run two small groups for 70 and 80cm. There will be an additional lesson (instructor TBC) at 90cm and 100cm+. This is aimed at anyone who is considering competing in the area horse trials in these classes.
Tuesday 30 May (Half Term)
(70cm – 100cm+)
At Somerford Park Farm (80 Acres XC Schooling)
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Instructor: Tyler Cassells (70 – 100+)
Cap: £39Sunday 18 June
(80cm – 100cm+)
At Somerford Park Farm (80 Acres XC Schooling)
Time: 10am – 12noon
Instructor: Amy Lennon
Cap: £39Sunday 9 July
(80cm – 100cm+)
At Somerford Park Farm (80 Acres XC Schooling)
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Instructor: David Llewellyn
Cap: £39
All entries on Entrymaster. Please ensure you have read the XC Rally Notes information below before entering.
Times will be emailed two days before the rally.
♦ XC Rally Notes – applicable to all eventing rallies inc. grassroots rallies
Dress, Tack & Turnout
Please see the Parents Information page of the website in relation to dress for all PC rallies. In addition, long sleeves must be worn together with the correct standard of SKULL CAP & BODY PROTECTOR.
Please ensure your skull cap complies with the 2023 Hat Rules and has been tagged (pink tag), and that your body protector complies with the BETA 2009 Level 3 standard (purple tag) or BETA 2018 Level 3 standard (blue and black label).
There will be a tack check at each rally.
Vaccinations
Please see vaccination rules below. You will also need to check the vaccination rules for the venue you are attending.
Attendance
Each member MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult.
For rallies taking place within an arena, parents are required to remain OUT OF the arena while the lesson is taking place.
B. Competitions
♦ Winter Eventing Qualifiers & Championships:
For 70cm, 80cm, 90cm, 100cm and 100cm+ levels
Each Winter, members can compete in a competition series called the Barrier Spring Festival Series. Riders compete to qualify for the England and Wales finals. The qualifier is an arena eventing competition and qualifies for The Spring Festival England and Wales Championships.
Full details and rules can be found here:
Spring Festival Arena Eventing Details & Rules
2022/23 Dates:
Area 5 Qualifier – 14th January 2023, Kelsall Hill
Spring Festival Championships (70, 80, 90 and 100) – 11th & 12th February 2023 at Arena UK, Grantham
♦ Summer Eventing Qualifiers & Championships:
For 70cm, 80cm, 90cm, 100cm and 110 levels
Annually, branch teams and individuals from our area (Area 5: Cheshire and North Wales) compete to qualify for the Regional & National Championships detailed below:-
2023 Dates:
Area 5 Eventing Qualifier (Team & Individual) – Sunday 16th July 2023 at Llanymynech, Shropshire
Regional Championships (PC70 & PC80) – 26th – 27th August at Kelsall Hill, Cheshire (North Midlands Region)
National Championships (PC90, PC100 and PC110) – 11th to 19th August at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire
- commitment to the branch
- volunteering within the branch
- attendance at three rallies within the branch
❗️Do you want to compete at this year’s Area Horse Trials?
If you are interested in competing at the Area Horse Trials (16.07.23) please contact Sally as soon as possible to register your interest.
There is a programme of training running up to the competition, see the Fixtures page for all rally dates. If anyone would like any additional training, please contact Sally (07775 882632).
C. Other Events & Opportunities
Any additional eventing-related opportunities offered through the Pony Club will be listed here if applicable.
D. Useful Information & Resources
♦ Rule Book:
The most up-to-date version of the Pony Club rulebooks for this year can be found here:
Please see the links below for other relevant information:
E. Feedback & Queries
We are always keen to hear your feedback – please do get in touch if you have any questions or feedback. Details of our current eventing contacts are listed at the top of the page.