HORSE RIDING HEAVEN
27 February 2009
On Sunday (1 March 2009) Eventing Canterbury will officially open the brand new NZCT Eventing Training Ground at its first major competition of the year.
With a $27,000 grant, funded by NZCT, the club has been able to transform its cross-country course into a top class equestrian training facility.
Donald Thomson from Eventing Canterbury explains the importance of this new facility.
“Previously, riders had to hire equipment and set up their own jumps,” says Donald.
“For all three disciplines (cross-country, show-jumping and dressage), it would take around three hours to set up and it cost $225 for a single rider,” he says.
“As you can imagine, not many riders chose to do this. The only viable training option was to wait until our club ran its competitions - but we only do that a couple of times a year on this ground.
“The brilliant thing about the new training ground is that Eventing Canterbury rider members can now come along to train in all three disciplines whenever they like.
“We have jumps permanently set up on our new all-weather show jumping arena – and we have two new all-weather dressage arenas. In addition, we’ve fenced 20-odd acres of the existing cross-country course, filled it with all our portable jumps (along with the existing jumps) so it can be used for cross-country training all year around. This is such a big improvement and it’s a fantastic asset.”
Coaches, including Olympic reserve and Cantabrian Emily Butcher, plan to use this ground to train up-and-coming young riders.
Emily says that, in the past, it was difficult finding suitable venues to train students, and she says travelling between venues was time consuming.
“The NZCT Training Ground is a revolutionary idea and an exciting development for Eventing Canterbury,” says Emily.
“I will now be able to train my students in all three phases of eventing at the same world class venue, saving time and money for everyone involved,” she says.
“I am also very excited about being able to use the facility to train and establish my own horses and believe this training ground is a great asset for all equestrian enthusiasts in Canterbury."
One of the other innovations brought about by the establishment of the new training ground is the new Twilight Series. A four week competition run twice a year (the sell-out summer series finished on 18 February).
The unusual element of this competition is the short, sharp pace. Fifty riders can compete in each series, they book a start time on-line, then run through a dressage test, show jumping round and slightly shortened cross-country round in less than half an hour.
The competition caters for a large group of riders from pre-training level to pony club open/ESNZ pre-novice levels and is a great way to school young horses and gain competition mileage in a short time.
“It’s also a great competition for spectators,” says Donald. “While sitting in the stand, the crowd can watch a rider compete in three disciplines in less than half an hour. It’s fast, exciting and free. What a great way to experience equestrian sports!”
Stephen Boock, NZCT Canterbury regional advisory committee chair, says the trust is proud to be involved in the training ground.
“We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful new facility,” says Stephen. “NZCT is the largest funder of amateur sport in New Zealand and we are pleased to support Eventing Canterbury.
“We’re confident local riders will seize the chance to practice at this new ground and we look forward to reports of improved results and riding ability,” he says.
“This is a great sport and now it’s easier for locals to train and enjoy riding.”
The training ground is based at the National Equestrian Centre (NEC) at McLean Island.
