Stratford Hills Horse Trials are once again looking forward to welcoming competitors and spectators to the 16th running of the trials on 16th-17th June.
Each running of the event has run in aid of a different local charity, and 2018 is no different. This year the organising committee have chosen to support ‘The Friends of the Ferns’ – a charity launched in 2013 to raise funds for a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) called The Ferns located in Ipswich, Suffolk. The centre acts as the first port of call for anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault in Suffolk. They offer medical care and emotional support in a welcoming, safe environment. The Friends of the Ferns charity assist by providing funding for various items that make a huge difference to people at such a difficult time –such as travel fares, replacement clothing, toiletries or toys and DVD’s for children.
David Carpenter continues as course designer following very favourable feedback from 2017. This year the course will run in an anti-clockwise direction, along a different track to the recently used course in unaffiliated events. The abundance of rain earlier in the year sees the event benefit from a thick and well-manicured grass covering, creating some of the best ground at Stratford Hills. Despite the current good conditions, the team will monitor the going and will prepared it as necessary, including aerovating all riding areas.
An updated schedule now includes an Open Novice under 18 and BE100 under 18 qualifier relocated from Keysoe in May. The Stratford Hills team are also delighted to be able to include a Novice Regional Final and a Pony Trial, in addition to their BE90, BE100 and BE80(T) classes.
The event are pleased to announce that Carriagehouse Insurance continue as core sponsor and are grateful to all long running class sponsors, as well as welcoming aboard new sponsors including Phillips Shavings and Devoucoux.
Stratford Hills plays host to the second leg of the Devoucoux BE80 Eastern Region League we competitors accumulate points from six events over the summer. Luxury prizes are awarded at each leg of the series with the overall winner receiving £500 in vouchers.
