CURC runs competitions throughout the year. Our main events are the Show Jumping Competition in Michaelmas term and the Gymkhana and Dressage Cuppers, both in Easter term. If you have questions about, or would like to enter any of our competitions please email the President (vb271[at]cam.ac.uk).

Dressage Competitions
Yelling
These are competitions organsied by Hilltop Equestrian Centre which members of CURC can enter. They happen one Sunday of each month, starting in November.
A variety of levels will be offered on each date, but these are most suited to intermediate and advanced riders.
Full details of dates and prices will be sent out by email and posted on the website nearer the time.

Cuppers Dressage Competition
Yelling
This is a friendly, inter-college competition run at the end of Easter term.
There will be four classes two Prelim classes, Novice and Elementary. You may enter two classes.
The minimum requirement is being able to steer comfortably at walk, trot and canter. You do not need to have ridden at Yelling or done a dressage test before.

Gymkhana
Haggis Farm
This is a fun event suitable for all riders. It involves races of various kind on horseback, and is a great way to relax and have fun at the end of a stressful term.
The gymkhana is also at the end of Easter term.

Open Day
Yelling
The open day is open to all members of all abilities. It is an opportunity to learn more about what goes on at Hilltop, and see where the other lesson take place for those people who have only ridden at Haggis Farm. It does not involve any riding.
A hands on day including talks and demonstrations on dressage, jumping, lunging, stable management and more!
The open day is after exams have finished in Easter term, and is followed by a bbq.

Reviews:End of Michaelmas Term Show Jumping Competition

As Michaelmas term drew to a close, five of our club members ventured out to Hilltop Equestrian Centre to end the term with a couple of friendly and yet fast-paced show jumping rounds. With the sun seeming to have come out especially for us and the horses in high spirits, the day was thoroughly enjoyed by each of us.

Starting the afternoon with a clear round competition, three of the four riders competing rode a successful clear: Laura White, Venetia Brown and Guido Franchetti. With all of us happy to continue at a greater height, we switched horses and re-entered the arena to ride a slightly harder course. As with the university teams that ride in the BUSA league, changing horses each round is a test of a rider's skill and experience in working in harmony with mounts that vary so widely in character. The standard was high even with a couple of refusals - one fence in particular, the fan, caused some difficulties for each of us but was most cleanly jumped in the end by Venetia.

By the end of the day, with both riders and horses tired but having revelled in the thrill of adrenaline that comes with jumping out in crisp winter air, we had our winners and their rosettes to be awarded. Laura took a well-earned first place, in second came Venetia and then myself in third. Guido, having had an unfortunate fall (albeit with an impressive landing on his feet) to place him fourth, nevertheless rode with a speed and skill all day that along with the others inspired me at least as a green newcomer to the club in my first real competition. I know I am certainly looking forward to more events like this in the future and hope more members will be able to participate. Besides the pleasure of jumping such beautifully schooled horses, it is gratifying to be able to learn so much from fellow riders.

Many thanks are of course due to those members who organised the event and provided lifts, as well as to the yard staff in helping to set up the arena.
by Catherine Matthews