PRESS RELEASE
Rockingham International Horse Trials
22nd - 24th May 2015
For immediate release
14th May 2015
One Week to go to the FEI Rockingham Intertational Horse
Trials 2015
The final touches are being put into place across the parkland at
Rockingham Castle. Arenas have been marked out, bedding ordered,
tickets posted and marquees erected.
Captain Mark Phillips's inaugural CIC2* course is almost ready to
walk, bar some fence dressing, and Mark hopes that horses will have:
“a real nice trip around it. The course is very much work in progress –
it's impossible to do everything in one go without a bottomless
budget, but I have made some changes to the track, improving the
viewing for spectators as riders loop back after tackling the water.
“Rockingham is a good venue and the footing feels great. I've
moved a number of the portable fences around and while it is up to
height, it is not overly technical. At this level, courses should be
educational for both horse and rider.
”
Our official timekeepers, Robert Loomes & Co from Stamford,
who are awarding a £7,500 hand made watch to one lucky event rider
on Sunday, are also running a raffle to raise money for the Gurkha
Welfare Trust and the Mountain Trust. The Royal Gurkha Regiment
were testing a special 'expedition' batch of Loomes watches on Mount
Everest when the earthquake struck – fortunately all the Gurkhas
survived and are now helping with the humanitarian relief work.
Robert Loomes are again offering the prize of a watch whilst donating
100% of ticket sales to the supported charities.
British Showjumping classes run on the Saturday, 23rd May, with
classes from Newcomers to Open, while the Pony Club is running a
team competition over the weekend. The new Arena Eventing
competitions will also provide entertainment at the heart of the
site.
The very popular Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes offer
spectators a glimpse of some of the potential stars of the future as
riders seek qualification for the Young Horse Championships at
Burghley in September.
Then, of course, there are all the non-equestrian offerings. As well
as the diverse range of trade stands, there will be displays from the
Sheep Show (yes, these sheep really do dance), Icarus Falconry and
Kevin Morris's dray horses amongst others. Throw in a petting farm,
climbing wall and bouncy castle and there is something for everyone
to enjoy.
Notes for Editors
Rockingham International Horse Trials, previously the Brigstock
International Horse Trials, first ran in 2013. Set in the beautiful Park
overlooking the Welland Valley, the cross country courses have attracted
widespread praise for variety and technical difficulty, and provide superb
viewing for spectators. This year Captain Mark Phillips is designing the
CIC2* course.
Rockingham Castle is 1 mile north of Corby; 24 miles from
Peterborough, Northampton and Leicester; half an hour from the A1 and
the M1 and 10 minutes from the A14 at Kettering.
More information is available at www.rockinghamcastlehorsetrials.com,
or contact the Press Officer, Hilary Manners on 07973 745267,
info@hilarymanners.co.uk, who can also provide high resolution images.