With just three weeks to go until Weston Park hosts four days of International and National competition,  we spoke to Course Designer and Organiser Janet Plant about this year's developments.

Janet: "As ever there will be something for all the whole family, watch an exciting competition unfold while walking in a thousand acres of rolling parkland, shop in the Trade stands or picnic in the park. Hot and cold food and a bar available on the side of the main arena in a heated marquee." 

Explaining the course Janet commented: "We are delighted with the progress on this year’s courses we have added a few new fences on all the courses. The three day horses will come out of the 'Boultons Arenas and Gallops start box' at the top of the hill, moving in the same general direction as 2014 which takes them to a new skinny combination at fence 3 'The Top of the World', where you can take in a panoramic views of Staffordshire and Shropshire plus a tree top view of the Weston Park Estate. On these autumn mornings the mist and the colours across the Estate are fabulous.

"The course then runs down hill to the 'Stratstone Land Rover Hill Descent' which has new challenges for both levels. Away and out into the Park, riders will come to the 'Water Splash' this is sponsored by one of our remaining original Founder Sponsors ‘Berriman Eaton’ who have been at Weston Park Horse trials twice a year for 33 years. It is only through generous sponsors that we continue to provide these fresh challenges.

"Hopefully riders will not get wet before travelling to the 'KBIS Toboggan Run' the second of three water combinations they will have to complete. This run is followed by a couple of maximum dimension straight forward fences then they will arrive at the 'Rookery Park Kidney Pool' which is always a spectacular fence to watch and I am sure a few will get wet here!

"They still have feature fences to jump as they will have to negotiate ASA Steel Structures Hadrians Complex which always need careful planning and control and power from both horse and rider.  At this point many of the riders may think they are home and dry but the final route round to the Sunken Road which for the one stars no longer go through the Sunken Road but have a new Trakener sponsored by Target Feeds. I would suggest careful walking of the course here.

"Away up the hill to the Obelisk which has had a face lift courtesy of our new one star title sponsors Monarch Equestrian. We are thrilled to welcome Monarch Equestrian such long standing supporters of eventing, I think the 'Monarch Obelisk Corners' will give Monarch plenty of air time on the commentary!

"The course then runs to the 'AGA Home Turn and Ski Chalet' again a new sponsor for Weston, what self-respecting equestrian home would be without an Aga?!

"Then there are just the final two fences to complete and the final fence is aptly named ‘And So to Bed’ , sponsored by our stable bedding company Cushionbed. We use over a 1,000 bales of bedding in the stables over the weekend making sure our horses are comfortable for the night.

"On Sunday we have the National Saddle Centre BE100 under 18 Regional Championships plus a BE100 Open and BE90 sections. This group have a new loop up to the big park lake which will give them some interesting terrain to ride on.

"Part of our course design for Sunday keeps all the sections down in the main park with no road crossings allowing fabulous viewing of most of the course from several vantage points.

"The National Saddle Centre BE100 u18 Reegional Championship course presents the ultimate challenge for the BE100 competitors, so the course will be demanding, bold but fair. One of our local Sponsors the Bazaar Stud has a new feature fence at the Meerkats Ditch to add to the challenge.

"A further 226 competitors split across six sections will compete on Sunday for the Blue Chip BE100 Open and BE90 sections. It is such a thrill to enable these competitors to jump so many of the feature spots across the park following in the footsteps of the International riders.

"I always have such fun designing, we hope that our riders and their horses have a successful round and that they go home gaining more education ready for the next level."

Car parking is free, Thursday and Friday £5 per person, then Saturday and Sunday £10 per person Children under 12 are free on all days.

Entries are currently still open:

View or enter the National classes here.

To enter the International classes click here.

View the event timetable and hospitality information here.