Localrider Magazine
WIN! A RIDING MINI-BREAK IN CORNWALL See page 29 www.localrider.co.uk
Interview with Event Rider
Tom Crisp
£3.00
March 2018
Plan your season with our Show Dates Guide PLUS where to go Cross Country Schooling
March 2018 • VOLUME XVIII NUMBER 2 www.localrider.co.uk
Show Reports & News from across the region More of your favourite Veterans COVERING KENT, SUSSEX, SURREY, HAMPSHIRE, BERKSHIRE & THE ISLE of WIGHT 03
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X-COUNTRY
EVENTING NEWS
We have put together a guide to the best places to go cross-country schooling on pages 18-19. Whether you are a seasoned eventer or just looking for a fun day out, we hope you will be inspired to try somewhere new this year. Many of the courses have been busy make changes to their courses and building new fences over the winter, here we share some of their news. New course in Surrey A new cross-country course designed by Eric winter and built by Dominic Moore of Jump 1, will be opening in March at Bramley in Surrey. Set in the beautiful Wintershall Estate, Slades Farm will have a variety of fences ranging in height from 50 to 100cm. Built on free draining sandy old pasture, the course includes a natural water jump, step complex, plus banks and slopes. Slades Farm is situated near Guildford, with easy access from the A281. There is plenty of parking, along with a club house, where you can meet before and after your training session. Coffee and tea will be available. www.sladesfarm.co.uk
www.comphurstfarm.co.uk Look out for clinics at Comphurst
Comphurst Cross Country Windmill Hill Near Hailsham East Sussex BN27 4RZ
Cross Country Schooling
Exciting changes at Comphurst Comphurst Cross Country near Hailsham, East Sussex, is heading into its third year, with many new and exciting developments. The extensive range of jumps is perfect for introducing young horses, with training ditches and fences from 40cm, as well as schooling horses and riders over all the BE specification heights and widths at 80, 90, 100 and Novice, with some 105 and Intermediate fences also. Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs are welcome to run clinics and training days at special rates, and top trainers are booked for the season, starting with FBHS, former 4* rider and trainer to the Irish Olympic team Nick Turner on 2nd and 12th April. There are many new cross country jumps at all heights, and some new technical additions to the Novice course. Comphurst has also added to its extensive range of Badminton Grassroots jumps. So, a visit is recommended to anyone qualified for the Mitsubishi Cup. In addition, a whole new field had been sown and will be ready in August with a grass show jumping arena and full set of FEI show jumps, as well as more cross country jumps and dressage arenas. Comphurst is rapidly developing into an allround eventing training facility and is well worth a visit.
Jumps to suit all abilities New for 2018: New cross country jumps at all levels Coming Summer 2018: Full set of FEI show jumps on grass
New Show Jump Arena at East Bysshe East Bysshe Cross Country, situated in Blindley Heath in Surrey have a new 55m x 60m sand and fibre arena for 2018. The arena has an array of show jumps and cross-country fences, and is available for hire seven days a week. The arena does need to be booked in advance, but can be booked by individuals, small groups and larger group booking for clinics, shows and training.
Over 200 jumps built to BE specifications from 40cm to 1.20m
For more information or to book your time slot, call Alice, on 07831 131676 or visit their Facebook page “East Bysshe Cross Country�.
Book online (no booking fee) at http://www.comphurstfarm.co.uk/cross-country/booking
Special rates for trainers, Pony Club and Riding Club clinics. Discount scheme for riders. Many top trainers booked - details on website. Easy access straight off A271 . 07541 032 398
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Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3QE
Bull Farm XC Course
Approx 60 jumps, 3 courses of 1’6”-2’, 2’6”-2.9” and 3’-3’6”. Water, ditches, combinations etc. Open for schooling Thursdays and Saturdays from approx April to October.
See website www.bull-farm.co.uk for details or contact Dominic on 07836 777613 or Vicky Stephenson on 07871 937349, dcjt1@yahoo.co.uk
Bonfleur Equestrian
NURSTEAD COURT CROSS COUNTRY COURSE Meopham, Kent DA13 9AD
Excellent variety of obstacles on undulating parkland. Open for schooling all year. To book contact xccourse@nursteadcourt.co.uk or phone 07543 131724. Online: www.nursteadcourt.co.uk ‘I think I can definitely describe our visit to your cross country course as beyond our expectations. The variety of fences was excellent and we couldn’t believe how good the ground was, given the recent weather.’ Quote from a recent visitor.
F
ollowing the successful expansion of Bonfleur into designing, building and selling Cross Country Fences and Show Jumps, they have now launched a new limited company ‘Bonfleur Equestrian’. The new company can design and build cross country jumps and show jumps, as well as everything you need for the tack room and stable, as well as land maintenance and fencing. Managing Director, Oli Pascall, commented: “We pride ourselves on our high quality and fantastic service. As ‘Bonfleur Equestrian’ we are the principal contractor to Bonfleur Cross Country Course, which is a great example of the high standard of our work. We have an exciting list of courses to build at Bonfleur Cross Country Course this year, including the Pony Club National Qualifier for Area 11 and the Riding Club National Qualifier for Area 10.” Bonfleur Equestrian can build you show jumps and cross country fences to have at home, right through to a fully designed and built course. Additional services they provide, include equestrian fencing from horse net stock fence to post and rail, as well as stable and tack room planning and build, plus land maintenance. To find out more call, Oli Pascall: 07972 027591.
The Perfect Place for Cross Country Schooling in Kent Go to our Website to Download the Booking App
• Offering over 120 jumps from 50cm to 110cm • Ideally located near Maidstone, 20mins from M20 • Jumps to suit all riders and horses • Extensive water complex and banks • New Combinations and skinnies regularly set up
Book online at: www.bonfleurcrosscountrycourse.co.uk bookings@bonfleurcrosscountry.co.uk Half Page Lscape 2017.indd 1
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Where to go Cross Course Name
Town
County
Fence Height range
Number of available fences
Feature Fence(s)
Course Builder
Acreage/ Distance covered
Bonfleur Cross Country Course
Linton, Nr Maidstone
Kent
1ft 6 “ to 3ft 6” 50cm - 110cm
Approx. 200
Large Water complex, 3 banks including a new extensive Bank Complex, 5 Coffins, 2 Trakenhers, Multiple technical combinations & inviting fences for all levels, with 15 more acres of schooling added to the course in 2017
Oliver Pascall & Tech Advisors
50 Acres
Bull Farm
Cranbrook
Kent
1ft 6” to 3ft 6” 0.45m to 1.10m
Approx 60
Well built wide range inc. water
Dominic Langdon-Down
27 acres
Chilham Park
Chilham
Kent
50cms to BE novice
Over 120
Two water complexes, bank, sunken road, coffin, steps
Scott Brickell
250 acres
Comphurst Cross Country
Windmill Hill, Nr Hailsham
East Sussex
0.40cm to 1.20m (BE Novice)
Approx 200
Large water complex, steps, ditches, skinnies, ditch/palisades, trakehners, banks, 6 corners, 3 coffins, steeplechase fences, etc, all at different heights. Many Badminton Grassroots jumps
Scott Brickell / Sussex Courses
80 acres
Denne Hill Cross Country Ride
Womenswold
Kent
2ft to 3ft 6” 0.60m to 1.06m approx.
40+
Large water complex, extensive range of fences. New bank with in and out double rails.
Specialist Contractor
4.5 Miles approx.
East Bysshe Cross Country
Blindley Heath
Surrey
2ft to 3ft 3” 0.60m to 1.00m
60+
Water, steps, coffin, ditches, chase fences & many more. Grass dressage arena & 55 x 60 show jump arena.
Dudley Pinney
40 acres
Fair Oak Cross Country Course
Rogate Nr Petersfield
West Sussex
1ft 9” to 3ft 3” 50cm to 98cm
180+
Everything plus two water complexes
Owners
70 acres
Hurstwood Farm Equestrian Centre
High Hurstwood
East Sussex
1ft 6” to 3ft 3” 0.45m to 1.10m
Water complex, steps, ditches, combinations and starter fences
Specialist Contractor
80 acres
Iping Cross Country
Midhurst
West Sussex
70cm to 110cms
80
Coffin, 2 water complexes, skinnies, corners for all sizes, trakehners, steeplechase fences, drop fences
Elaine Wilson and Mike Gale
150 acres
Judd Wood Farm
Bidborough, Nr Tonbridge
Kent
1ft - 3ft
50+
New fences for 2018. Inviting water complex, ditches, bank, steps and jumping lane. Show jumps on grass as well as indoor school.
J Foster
70 acres
LMEQ
Reigate
Surrey
Pre Training to Novice/CCI*
Approx 150
Owl hole, water, ditch-bank, coffin, steps, chase fences, corners, skinnies, brushes, trakehners
Willis Brothers
10 acres
Lodge Farm Cross Country Course
Matfield, Nr Tunbridge Wells
Kent
45cm - 1.10cm
90+ jumps
Lots of new fences for 2018. Water, plus combinations, skinnies, ditches, steps and corners.
Phil Hughes + water Jump1
40 acres
Mid Surrey Pony Club
Pony Club Field, Walton on the Hill
Surrey
30cm to 1m
120
Water, owl hole, steps, hedges, ditches, sunken road, banks.
Home Built
20 acres
Heath Farm / Munstead
Godalming
Surrey
2’0” to 3’3” 0.60m – 1.00m
Approx 90
BE courses at 80, 90, 100. New 60cm course and new water jump. Ditches, Owl Hole, Steps. Also Show Jumps on Grass
Rupert Harvie and Adrian Ditcham
120 acres
Nurstead Court
Meopham
Kent
70 – 105cm
40+
Trakenhers, Ditches, Water complex, Bank
Scott Brickell
30 acres
Rockbourne Ride
Fordingbridge Salisbury
Hampshire
1’ 6” to 3’ 6“ 0.45m to 1.10m
120
Absolutely everything from simple to technical including a water complex
Rockbourne Ride
1 mile of 90 jumps, 7 miles of 30 jumps.
Rosehill Equestrian
Helney on Thames
Berkshire/ Oxfordshire
1’6” to 3’3”
Over 90
Water, ditches, steps and combinations
Richard and Matthew Stacey
60 acres
Slades Farm Cross Country Training Course
Bramley
Surrey
50-100cm
60
An extensive range of fences, including a large step complex of 12 steps that can be linked together to create multiple routes and options; 5 open ditches with related rail fences; a large water jump incorporating all levels of terrain; banks and mounds
Designed by Eric Winter, built by Dominic Moore at Jump 1
9 acres
Tweseldown
Church Crookham
Hampshire
70 cm to 1.10m
150+
4 steps, 8 ditches & water complex
Jump 1
70 acres
Woolgars Farm and Cross Country Course
West Horsley
Surrey
1’6” to 3’6”
30+
Water, steps, coffin, trakehner
500+acres, approximately 5 miles
Whilst the information is correct at the time of going to print we recommend that you contact the venue before leaving home. Many will require bookings before arrival. And if there is a particular fence you are hoping to jump, just check it is open and not under repair. 18 Localrider MARCH 2018
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Country Schooling Type of Terrain
Opening Dates & Times
Hire Fee
Contact
Telephone
Website Address & Contact Email
Situated in open grassland, most fences have allweather take-offs and landings. The course has been over seeded with a ‘gallop grass seed mix’ to further improve the turf.
1st March to end October, 7 days a week.
£20 per horse
Oli Pascall
07976 138120
www.bonfleurcrosscountrycourse.co.uk oli@clockhousefarm.co.uk
Some level, some hilly
Thursdays and Saturdays, see website for opening date.
£20 per horse
Dominic, Vicky Stephenson
07836 777613 07871 937349
www.bull-farm.co.uk dcjt1@yahoo.co.uk
Undulating parkland
Open all year, weather depending
£25 per horse
Ali Ferry
01227 730811 07979 497716
www.chilhampark.co.uk info@chilhampark.co.uk
Tunbridge Wells sand with excellent grass cover. Most fences have all-weather take-offs and landings. Undulating and flat areas.
Open dawn to dusk every day until October
£25 per horse unlimited time. Discounts available - see website or phone for details
Tanya and William Reid
07541 032398
www.comphurstfarm.co.uk tanya.reid@outlook.com also Facebook
Undulating
Open all year, call for bookings
£25 per rider
Caroline Loder-Symonds
01227 831 203
www.dennehillcrosscountryride.co.uk caroline@dennehillcrosscountryride.co.uk
Flat
7 days a week except when ground is unsuitable. Dawn till dusk.
XC £20 per horse SJ £10-£30 per horse, depending on numbers XC+SJ £30/horse
Alice McLoughlin
07831 131676
www.crosscountrycoursehire.co.uk
Undulating on a sandy soil
All day, Mid March to end of October
£25 per horse unlimited time on day
Piers
01730 821508
www.fair-oak.co.uk info@fair-oak.co.uk
Undulating terrain & woodland
March (weather permitting) 7 days a week
£20 per horse per session
01825 732002
www.equestriantrainingcentre.co.uk info@equestriantraining centre.co.uk
Hilly
1st April to 15th October
£30 per horse
Amanda Lakin
07785 776222
amandalakin@me.com
Flat and hilly areas, as well as woodland tracks.
March - Weather permitting. Open 7 days a week but must be pre-booked. Ample hard parking.
£20 per horse
Jane Bastable
01892 871080 07771 962339
www.juddwoodfarm.co.uk juddwoodfarm@hotmail.co.uk
Slight undulation
All Year
£25 per horse
Matt Tarrant
07771 600033
www.lmeq.com bookings@lmeq.com
Flat & undulating
Wednesdays and Saturdays Beginning of March – end of October
£25
Ellie Crosbie
01892 722273
www.lodgefarmcrosscountry.com lodgefarmxc@btinternet.com
Flat and hilly terrain
Must be pre-booked. Subject to events. Open all year.
£30 per horse (£5 discount for Pony Club members).
Gina Kitchener or Wendy Wrist
07711 062093
gina@midsurreyponyclub.co.uk wendy@midsurreyponyclub.co.uk
Well draining level sand on grass
All year 8am – 8pm daylight permitting
£25 per horse. Discounts available for clubs/ groups
Rebecca Harvie
01483 418271 07768 740969
www.munsteadhorsetrials.co.uk becca@munsteadhorsetrials.co.uk
Undulating parkland
All Year (weather permitting)
£25 per horse. Group booking rates apply
Debbie
07534 131724
www.nursteadcourt.co.uk xccourse@nursteadcourt.co.uk
Old downland turf all weather undulating with good gallop up hill
All year round
£25 per horse
Rob McLeod
01725 518 297
www.tenantry.co.uk rob@tenantry.co.uk
Undulating parkland and woodland
Open all year, subject to events and weather
£20 per horse
Richard and Tricia Stacey
01628 824078 07860 442042
www.rosehillequestrian.co.uk mannanan.rosehill@icloud.com
Flat and undulating in excellent, well drained sandy soil
From 6th April 2018, all year round, weather permitting
£35 per horse
Slades Farm Equestrian
01483 208693
www.sladesfarm.co.uk Facebook @sladesfarmequestrian Instagram @slades_farm_equestrian
Undulating
Open all year
Varies
Rachael
01252 819961 07912 629433
www.tweseldown.co.uk tweseldownht@gmail.com
9am - 5pm every day
£25 per horse
Nigel Legg or Sue Root
07702 659513 07917 723747
Facebook @woolgarsfarm
We hope you have a great time going cross country this season! MARCH 2018 Localrider 19
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X-COUNTRY Paragon Equestrian Luxe Technical Baselayer
Back on Track Mesh Rug
Made from a highly technical four-way stretch fabric, which offers the ultimate in freedom of movement and temperature control on the move. Lined with a beautifully soft lightweight fleece, the fabric has excellent moisture wicking properties, and a stretch mesh detail to the back and side inserts to allow for further airflow. www.paragonequestrian.co.uk
NAF Ice Cool Ice Cool is a naturally developed, cool therapy to soothe and tighten sore, tired legs and tendons following strenuous exercise. Promoting cool, hard legs, is an essential pre-requisite of any performance horse, in order that they may perform consistently. Ice Cool is a highly effective 24 hour cooling clay, containing a blend of natural clays, together with a powerful blend of herbs.
With far infrared technology, this rug is great for use before and after exercise and whilst travelling. The Welltex fabric is infused with ceramic particles that reflect a long-wave, infra-red ray back into the soft tissue, thus promoting circulation. The horse becomes more supple and ready to work sooner during warm-up, and it encourages the horse to relax post-work. www.backontrack.com
Absorbine CoolDown A new, no rinse, all-natural, herbal equine body wash made with 12 herbs and essential oils. It gently cools and refreshes whilst soothing tired muscles. CoolDown also conditions the skin and coat, ensuring cleanliness without stripping out essential oils, making it ideal for daily use. The unique formula includes rosemary oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, aloe vera juice, arnica extract and sassafras oil. www.absorbine.co.uk
www.naf-equine.eu/uk
Cool
Keeping this season With the cross-country season now underway, we have found some great new products to keep you and your horse feeling cool‌
NAF Cooling Wash Wash the build-up of sweat and dust right out of your horse’s coat with this no rinse body wash designed to cool down, relax and refresh tired muscles after periods of strenuous exercise, great for hot summer days. www.naf-equine.eu/uk 20 Localrider MARCH 2018
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DENNE HILL
CROSS COUNTRY COURSE Womenswold, Canterbury, Kent CT4 6HD.
Open for hire throughout the year. Contact Caroline Loder-Symonds Tel. 01227 831203, email: caroline@dennehillcrosscountryride.co.uk web: www.dennehillcrosscountryride.co.uk
Two acre practice area, with a line of hurdles, small combination, half rounds and Helsinki rails from 1’0” to 3’0” in height, great for novice horses or riders. Main Course set in 80 acres of undulating fields and woodland. Jumps from 1’6” to 1m 10, including water, steps and ditches. HORSE RIDING HOLIDAYS AVAILABLE Hurstwood Farm • Royal Oak Lane High Hurstwood • East Sussex • TN22 4AN Phone: 01825 732002 • Mobile: 07768 364136 Email: info@equestriantrainingcentre.co.uk Website: www.equestriantrainingcentre.co.uk
LOTS OF NEW FENCES FOR 2018!
LODGE FARM
CROSS COUNTRY COURSE MATFIELD, Nr TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN12 7ET
SPRING/SUMMER 2018 COLLECTION #AlongForTheRide
Open for schooling Wednesdays & Saturdays, March to October (incl.) Over 70 jumps 60cm – 1.15m Tel: 01892 722273 Email lodgefarmxc@btinternet.com
www.lodgefarmcrosscountry.com
Approx 60 fences, 2’3” to 3’3” Water, steps, coffin, ditches, chase fences & many more. Also Grass Dressage Arena New 55 x 60 Show Jumping Arena (needs to be booked in advance)
07831 131676
www.crosscountrycoursehire.co.uk Location: A22 between Blindley Heath & New Chapel
Main Events for 2018
Chalgrove Packable Gilet - Charcoal £80.95 / Isabella Training Shirt - Navy, Purple £39.50
See our Cross Country Schooling Guide on pages 18-19
Advertising in Localrider Magazine can help you reach your target audience of horse riders and owners
Localrider
MAGAZINE
For more information call 01892 863062 or visit www.localrider.co.uk
Visit our website for our SS18 range and local stockist information...
www.equetech.com MARCH 2018 Localrider 21
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