The Eventing Course and Eventing Competitions


Salford Forest Park includes a first class 3-day eventing course, stabling and an indoor arena designed to cater for a range of schooling and competitive activities which could attract between 50 and 200 entrants. Novice facilities will also be provided. Plans for the eventing facilities were unveiled in the presence of Lucinda Green. Read her comments here >>

In addition to regular small scale events it is anticipated that one major regional three-day eventing show will be staged at Salford Forest Park each year, subject to the National Eventing calendar. Although supported by the equestrian centre, the main activity for a major eventing competition of this scale would be centred on the racecourse, and would make use of both the racecourse and the equestrian centre facilities.

A major three-day event would in practice, take place over four days at a weekend, with each horse and rider undertaking dressage on Thursday and Friday, and cross country and show jumping on the Saturday and Sunday. The cross country competition would comprise: riding on roads and tracks of up to 6 km length which would take place on the main tracks of the Forest Park; steeplechase, which would be laid out on the racetrack; and cross country riding of up to 4 km.

Indoor and outdoor dressage and show jumping events would take place at the equestrian centre arenas, with the main events held on temporary arenas sited in the centre of the racecourse opposite to the grandstand.

Amateur and junior riders will use the shorter Novice course, whilst professional riders will use the Advanced course.

Up to 40 obstacle jumps may be created around the courses to suit the particular event. These are generally temporary constructions designed to challenge the rider over a range of different obstacles, including water.

Permanent obstacle jumps may be installed over time in locations to the south of the Avenue. These could follow the approach of the Chatsworth Estate and be commissioned for design by sculptors as ‘art in the landscape’