We've answered some of the frequently asked questions about the Elandlodge.com National Hunter Trial Series below. If you have have a question that's not been answered below, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
To qualify you need to place 1st-3rd with a clear round at any of the qualifying events. You can find a full list of qualifying events here. Please note this list is updated throughout the year, so keep checking back for new qualifiers.
We’re always looking for new qualifying venues – if there’s a great event near you that you think would be the perfect place to qualify, let us know!
We’re always happy to welcome new qualifying venues and events. For further information about this please take a look at our “Host a Qualifier” page.
As this is a National Championship, this competition is only open to people who have qualified at one of the qualifying events run around the country throughout the year.
If you achieved a clear round and placed 1st-3rd at a qualifying venue, you should have received a qualifiers rosette and card.
If you’ve got your qualification card but you’re not sure which class you’ve qualified for, take a look at the qualifying criteria here.
You must compete at the height you qualified for, you may not move up or down a class.
If you have qualified for an individuals class:
Horse & rider have qualified as a combination, neither horse nor rider may be changed, so both elements of combination competing must be the same combination that qualified.
If you have qualified for a pairs class:
The four elements (2 horses, 2 riders) have qualified as a combination. Of the 4 qualified elements, ONE may change (e.g. one horse or one rider), three must remain the same.
The Eland Lodge Finals course is an up to height, technical cross country course, run across the beautiful undulating Staffordshire Countryside!
The technicality of the course is appropriate to the height being jumped. Courses can include solid and frangible XC fences, water, ditches (larger classes only), combinations, steps, skinnies etc.
There is an undisclosed optimum time, however you’ll know the metres-per-minute speed for your class. The winner is the person who does a clear round and goes closest to the optimum time over the whole course, (there is no benefit in going faster or slower than the time).
At the Finals, in the 80cm Pairs class only, there is a “Dressing Fence”. This is judged as a standard obstacle in the same way every other fence is judged on the course. As well as being a standard obstacle, the pair who look the best over this fence will win a separate prize (regardless of how well they do round the rest of the course). So get your creative thinking caps on and come up with a great move to pull together.
Each competitor gets given a start time, and it is the competitors responsibility to present at the warm up in plenty of time. Times are released on the Thursday prior to the final.
Rules for tack, equipment & safety wear are the same as the eventing phase for British Eventing, EXCEPT that watches/timing devices are NOT allowed at the Finals.
There is temporary event stabling available on-site at Eland Lodge, which can be booked nearer the time.
Spectators are definitely welcome, bring as many supporters as you like! We offer free entry and parking for spectators, and there’s loads to see and do. There’s a great view of most of the course from the top of the hill (disabled parking with a view is also available), there are hot food stands, shopping, and a sale tent.
Well behaved dogs are also welcome on site, but they must be on a lead at all times, and you must clear up after them.
