YOUR 2026 CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT GUIDE

This guide has been crafted to help anyone doing their first three (or two) day event. Whilst we have tried to cover all bases, if you have further queries, please seek professional advice or ask us!

GETTING ON SITE INFORMATION

Riders’ WhatsApp Group

(QR CODE can be found here closer to the event)

All CIRENCESTER PARK riders will be invited to a dedicated WhatsApp group a little closer to the time. This is where important information, any changes, timings and anything & everything else you need to know will be posted. Please use the QR code (when available) to join the group at your earliest opportunity so you don’t miss any early messages.

Briefing

There will be a briefing at the start of the event, you are strongly advised to attend this and ask any questions that you may have. 

Packing List

This should include everything that you would normally take to a one day event plus the following…

This list is for guidance and individuals will have their own additions, so if you think you might need something then take it with you. If you don’t have this there will be trade stands at the event where you will be able to purchase what you need. But be aware that they may not be there until dressage day.

• Mucking out kit, suitable for shavings bed
• Wheelbarrow and something to line your wheelbarrow with to enable you to use for fetching and carrying as well as mucking out
• Water buckets for the stable, in addition to those required for washing off – the stable will be bare of all fixtures and fittings – so you will need to supply what you need and the ability to secure it if you want it off the ground
• Bridle hooks to clip on to the outside of the stable area for hanging your headcollars and bridles on etc
• Extra sponges for washing off
• Tack cleaning equipment
• Steps to stand on for plaiting / mounting etc
• Copious amounts of bailer twine, or bungee cords – to be used for any and all manner of eventualities
• Spare bridle or at least spare pair of reins – especially if you use the same bridle for all three phases
• X3 dressage numbers – x1 for headcollar, x1 for bridle and x1 for numnah – to be worn at all times when the horse leaves the stable
• Spare headcollar and lead ropes – as it will be necessary to have headcollars and lead ropes in multiple places simultaneously to cover for potential eventualities
• Spare pair of stirrup Irons and Leathers
• Spare stud kit and studs
• Everyday numnahs as well as competition numnahs – for when you are exercising
• Hard feed and hay or haylage is not provided please bring whatever your horse needs
• Lunge line
• Stable Rugs in addition to the usual coolers etc plus a waterproof rug for use when grazing, prior to the trot up etc.
• Everyday riding kit for you as well as your competition riding kit
• Trot up attire for you
• Human first aid kit
• Equine first aid kit – thermometer, poultice, suitable creams for minor wounds, salt and cotton wool
• Fold up chair
• Mountain bike for getting between phases and around the event site

Arriving at the event

You can arrive at Cirencester Park from 3pm on Friday 25th September.

On arrival at the event site, you will need to have your passport ready to give to the stable manager who will keep hold of it until you are ready to leave. It is at this point that you will find out where your stable is. Please do not unload or go searching for your own stable prior to meeting the stable manager.

It will really help you if you have packed your lorry or vehicle in such a manner that you can take the immediate stuff that you need to the stable before you even unload your horse. This would include water buckets and a haynet etc. Please bear in mind that you can end up parked a long way away from where your stable is and that wherever you park this is where you will remain for the duration of the competition, and this is where you will be setting up site.

Please allow plenty of time for arriving, finding your stable, unpacking etc. All of this takes considerably longer than one thinks as you have a lot of stuff! There will also be others arriving simultaneously so things such as filling water buckets etc can take longer simply because there might be a queue.

Stabling

If you have chosen to stable, you will have an allocated stable for your horse for the duration of the event. This will come with 2 bales of shavings, but you may wish to bring or buy extra and add to it during the event, especially if you are there for several nights. The stable will come empty with no fixtures or fittings and you will be responsible for supplying water buckets, haynets etc. You will be able to leave stuff outside of your stable and so it is advisable to have a trunk or box with which to keep it watertight. You will be responsible for mucking out your stable daily. There will be water sources in the stable area, but as several people will be filling up multiple buckets in the same place these are pinch points that can get extremely muddy. There will be allocated areas for muck heaps in various points within the stable area. These will be for muck only. Please ensure that you put all non-compostable rubbish in the bins provided. There will be guidance as to the state you need to leave your stable in on departure. Please ensure you adhere to this.

Stable Manager

This is a trailer on the edge of the stable area that is entirely separate from the main event secretary. This will become your point of call for all necessary information and should be your first go to place in the event of a problem with your horse, your competition, your stabling or your parking. Usually there is an information board here with all new and current information placed on it; eg maps of roads and tracks, timings when everything starts and finishes, running orders, maps of where you can ride out, timings for when stewards are available to monitor practice jumping arenas etc.

Trot up

First and foremost, this is a welfare check not a fashion parade. Crucially make sure you can actually run in whatever footwear you decide to choose. That said there will be a prize for the best dressed at the trot up.

Your horse must wear a dressage legal bridle with a number on the bridle, and nothing else. No boots etc. Although he may wear boots and rugs etc whilst walking around the collecting area. You may trot up with a long whip if necessary. There will be a running order – usually numerical order and there will be times. From the start time if you allow one minute per horse you will have a pretty good guestimate as to what your time will be. There will be a collecting area, the same way as there is for the other phases.

Crucially – you will need to practice running and standing your horse up in advance. It is possible to make a really bad job of this and to make a sound horse look lame simply by not knowing what you are doing. If in doubt seek help. You can also watch videos of trot ups from major three day events to help you.

There will be two trot ups; one before you start and one on the final morning before the showjumping. You are welcome to ride or hand walk them, to loosen them up before the trot up on the Sunday morning. There will be allocated areas where you can ride them.

When you trot up you will be asked to walk forward and stand your horse up, side on in front of the Ground Jury. You will then walk away for a few steps and then trot until the turning point. Return to walk, walk around the turning point (most often flowers) and then trot back continuing past the Ground Jury on the side. If there is a problem, you will be asked to go to the Holding box where there will be a vet present. The vet in the holding box will then advise as to what to do from there. Your support team is not allowed to access the holding box.

Dressage Phase

Timings for this will be available on eventing scores as usual. 

Your dressage test will take a little longer to complete than the normal one day tests.

 

Cross Country

The cross country phase of a championship is designed slightly longer and of greater technicality than your every day course. At the start of Cross Country there will be a starting box just as you would have normally and the countdown will be as normal. 

End of Cross Country

After the cross country you will bring your horse back to the 10 min box to be washed off and you will only be allowed to take it back to the stables once the vet has signed the horse off as suitably and sufficiently cooled down. Please plan to remove all tack etc at the end of XC and come with somewhere / something eg a wheelbarrow to put all your kit into. The vets will check the horses again and give you permission to leave to head back to the stables. If you have any concerns the holding vet will be in contact with the stables vet who can carry out any further checks on returning to the stables.

Saturday evening

It is very tempting to faff with your horse all night on Saturday night. Remember, he has worked hard for you and will want to rest. We recommend a nice hand graze and stroll out a couple of times before tucking him away for the evening. The stables will have a pre-declared time when they will shut for the night and after this point you would only be allowed access in an emergency. This is to ensure that your horses get a time to rest and recuperate ready for Sunday.

Then it’s party time in the main marquee!

Sunday morning

A nice early walk out and check of your horse is advised. That gives the vets plenty of time to assist with anything before they are presented for the second vet’s inspection. You will need to pass this veterinary inspection in order to be allowed to continue on to the showjumping phase.

All competitors will showjump in reverse order with mounted prize givings taking place immediately following completion of the class. You will showjump in the same attire and kit that you would wear normally.

Junior 2DE Event (no trot-ups)

Information coming soon…

If you are doing the Junior two day event, you will not have any trot ups and whether or not you choose to stable on site it as your discretion.

Copyright for this document is the property of The Cotswold Cup LLP

Our Priority

Our priority (and yours) is the welfare of the horses taking part in this competition. We want you all to have fun and enjoy this unique opportunity but please keep your horse at the forefront of your mind.

Extra Information

We hope the above Champs specific information helps you to feel more comfortable that you and your horse are going to have the best time with us at Cirencester Park – but that’s not all the information we’ve gathered to help you prepare for a stay away event!

For advice on everything from flying through the trot up to feeding and conditioning your horse ready for a 2DE and bio (and tack) security on-site when you’re not at home, hit the button below to head to our BRAND NEW COMPETITOR HUB!

COMPETITOR HUB