Laura Collett and London 52 at Little Downham International 2020 Photo courtesy Tim Wilkinson
Little Downham and Tweseldown will partner to run the CCI2*-S and CCI3*-S, Novice and Intermediate classes that would have been held at Rockingham International Horse Trials in May.
The combination of events will give competitors the opportunity to compete at Tweseldown on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st May, and at Little Downham on the 22nd and 23rd May, subject to FEI approval. The venues will host CCI2*S/Novice sections one day and CCI3*S/Intermediate sections on the other day.
The new timetable will see smaller sections of CCI-S classes and will ensure that horse/rider combinations will complete all three phases on the same day. The format aims to offer riders increased opportunities, reduced costs and limits the risk of biosecurity impacts (such as EHV-1 and Covid-19).
“Like so many owners I had been looking forward to watching my horses compete at the stunning Rockingham Castle, but will have to wait for next year” says Tina Ure, the Organiser of Little Downham, who came up with the concept of running ‘Little Tweseldownham’
“I am grateful to British Eventing for endorsing this joint bid with Tweseldown and our innovative timetable that will enable both professional and amateur riders the opportunity to complete CCI-S in one day, something that has been a long-time ambition of mine.
“I have shared the frustration of many owners and riders about the additional expenses often incurred to compete at this level and welcomed the opportunity to try something different. Working with Rachael at Tweseldown is a new collaborative venture aimed at maximising the competition opportunities for all despite the difficulties caused by the Coronavirus and EHV-1.”
Little Downham stepped in at the last minute to host the same fixture in 2012 when Brigstock Horse Trials cancelled, prior to the fixture being reinstated at Rockingham Castle. Tweseldown, as a venue, has a long history of hosting international fixtures dating back to the Olympic equestrian events in 1948. This fixture will, however, mark the first modern era FEI fixture at the Hampshire venue.
“It has taken Covid for this new idea to come to the fore. Tina Ure has been championing ‘all in one day CCI-S's’ for ages. It has finally taken root as Rockingham lends it date to "Little Tweseldownham International Horse Trials"
I am thrilled that the Lucinda Green XC Academy Tweseldown will be sharing the FEI and National classes with the Childeric Little Downham” says Tweseldown organiser Rachael Faulkner.
Lucinda Green at Tweseldown Photo courtesy Jason Bax/Equuis Photography
The revived fixture has attracted praise from local rider, and Little Downham regular, New Zealand’s Caroline Powell.
“This new format is a much needed and long-awaited development and could be just what’s needed to help revive and lift the sport. Keeping the costs low and limiting the need for onsite stabling will make the FEI classes more accessible for new competitors and makes it more financially viable for professional riders and owners.
Two well liked and well-respected venues, working together to support the sport - great stuff!”
Professional and amateur riders alike support the initiative with Rockingham regular Alexander Whewall saying that “Rockingham was a key fixture for me with the younger 3* horses so it is really good to see it’s being replaced. As a professional rider running a smaller operation the CCI events can get expensive for me as a business, as it requires longer periods of time away and therefore increased staff costs to cover the horses at home.
Having a choice of very good locations, with good ground and organisation is really good. The real bonus will be getting the CCI done in one day. That is going to be a benefit to a lot of people and we’re really keen to see how it will work.”
Amateur 5* competitor and full-time working vet Katie Preston is pleased to be able to do a CCI3*-S in one day, at the weekend
"It is a big advantage to those of us who have to juggle annual leave. By the time you’ve factored in 3 days off for a Spring and Autumn long format and then the time off for 4-5 short formats in a season it doesn’t leave you any days for an actual holiday.
Onsite stabling is so expensive that I will often look for local stabling and drive in each day. This format would really reduce the costs and hassle for a large number of riders.”
A full schedule will be published in due course and entries will open mid-April.
