Larkhill BE

[AutumnRose]

I'm planning my season at the moment and have a plan A and plan B.....

Plan A involves going PN at Munstead in March which would mean i can do South of England and Nurstead in April which are lovely and local.

Plan B is for do intro's for a bit longer if something goes wrong...but there are NO intros in south east in April so i was thinking of putting Larkhill on the list, doesn't look too far on the map.

Never been so can anyone tell me what it's like?? How far dressage is from everything, how hilly it is, spooky show jumping etc etc??? Am looking for fairly top end intros as if he hasn't already gone PN he'll be very nearly there.

Ta in advance

 

[Mel85]

Dressage is relatively close but the cross country is miles away (so far that they run shuttles from lorry park to xc start) although I seem to remember talking to someone about the xc being moved for 2010 event so it is all closer? In which case it'll be a new xc track anyway but am not an expert on the intro xc there so will let someone else answer that bit!

Showjumping is always quite influential at Larkhill as it's on quite a slope.

Larkhill is always extremely popular and ballot heavily, but it's a nice event. Very cold and windy though every time I've been!!!

 

[Nicco]

Larkhill is a good course, going is always good as sandy and drains v well.
Think the course may be in a new area this year but it is very well run and friendly.
No hills, good galloping but does have twists and turns (if it is the usual course).
Show jumping is fine. Dressage was a little distance from the lorry park, as was the start of the xc - bit of a hike for those on foot!

 

[jules89]

always blooming cold.

the intro is a higher end I would say, gives you a good variety (I havent been for a few years mind!)

 

[Tangaroo]

Its difficult to say cos it said they are changing it completely for next season. Normally dressage is lovely and flat with plenty of warm up, about 5 min walk from boxes. SJ is ok, on a bit of a slope which catches some out but not normally enormous. XC is miles from the boxes,(they run a landrover shuttle service down to the course!!) Its quite an easy intro XC, good galloping course without too many questions and not very big.
Having said all this, like i say they have said they are building a brand new course for 2010 over where the Racecourse is so your guess is as good as mine what it will be like

I dont know if they are planning on moving the SJ and dress.
Sorry, cant be much help really

 

[Tangaroo]

Meant to say, i have done the intro the last few years and sorry Jules but i have to disagree,

its not top end of intro! I have met far more challenging courses at intro in height and technicality.

 

[AutumnRose]

Ah trust me to ask about a year they are changing it so no one knows what it's going to be like

I think i will keep it on the back up plan list

 

[LEC]

The other thing to note is often for the intro its day before dressage so be careful. I have been caught out by this before but luckily got a refund.

 

[jules89]

I did say it had been a couple of years

teehee I'll crawl back into my hole now

 

[AutumnRose]

lol jules!!!

Lec - thanks for the warning.....far too far for day before dressage

 

[saskia295]

It's one that's near me Laura! It's ok, dressage and showjumping quite close togther, although dressage arenas aren't exactly 'flat'!

Cross country is miles away! The course has previously always been quite twisty so get your GPS in gear! Think it's changing this year though so not too sure. It can't be too far from where it is, unless they are making a new water fence?! The water has caused a few problems in the past as it is in a woods and some of them tend to be a little hesitant (light/dark and murky water - it's not overly inviting, but nice all the same!).

I'm planning on doing the PN at Munstead too so see you there