an update on Gracelands equestrian centre.

[BroadfordQueen]

As most of you proberbly know, Gracelands has been under new management for a few months. The new owners are very friendly and accomodating.
They have put in a LOT of effort to turn Gracelands around. Most of you know how much of a tip it used to be, and the improvements already are amazing.
The outdoor arena has been improved drastically by putting all knew high fencing around it. They took up all the old surface and took out all the bricks that used to be under the surface, which had caused many accidents last year, and put down the same surface put added loads of bits of tyres (sorry can't remember proper name for it!), so now it is alot springier and safer!
They have also got a new set of gorgeous jumps, bought off the BSJA for the outdoor arena, which will be put up next week. They are some of the nicest jumps I have seen around.
They have also built a lovely new commentators shed in the corner on decking, which makes the place look a hell of a lot smarter than when there was a scruffy caravan being used.

Everything has been painted, all scruffy caravans have been removed, the whole place just looks a hell of a lot smarter.

Inside they have a new set of jumps, which are a bit narrower to fit more in. But the biggest change is yet to come...

They have a new surface on order, which should be put down in the next few weeks for indoors. They are planning on power washing all of the indoor arena, and are putting a surface like Weston Lawns' in both the main indoor and the warm up.

I posted this to say, please give Gracelands another chance- it is well run and is now becomming a smart place to go, and their only problem is the lack of entries!
I am hiring out the arena on friday, so will take lots of pics for you to see the improvements for yourself.

 

[wallyevent]

I agree they definately need to be given another chance, the imrovement are happening slowly but surely! With places like Solihull and Weston Lawns so close they did need to make some big changes to compete but I really hope they get there.

Last time I went there was about 5 entries per class, which must be so disheartening for them! Its so close for us to get to but when you are trying to fit 2 or 3 horses into a class it becomes way too tight for time!!

 

[flyingfeet]

Thanks for posting this - I'd written Gracelands off as unusable, but good to know changes are afoot!

I guess the improvements at Hartpury have hurt them as they lost all the RC qualifiers they used to hold there.

 

[mil1212]

i have just got back from gracelands, the outdoor arena is great, I love the surface. Unfortunately there were 3 in the discovery and not enough entries in the 1.05m and newcomers so they combined them to make a total of 4 in the class.... a real shame, I like the schedule they have as it means I have options of what classes to enter instead of stuck with 1 or 2. It was nice to have a huge outdoor school and the indoor to myself! Give it a try, a real friendly place.

 

[Emma123]

Glad to see they are improving things.

Shame they arn't getting the entrys though, we used to just pop up if nothing else was on at Summerhouse or Hartpury. Hopefully if news spreads they'll get the entries they need. Perhaps some good advertising is in order and a decent website always works.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I haven't ridden there in years - are they going to be doing Trailblazers still? I've just heard Trailblazers are doing in hand showing now.

 

[Charlie-M]

are they putting a new surface in the big outdoor?

Gracelands is only down the road from us, but the outdoor going is still a bit pants, don't like asking my horses to jump on it.
The new people are lovely though! and the kitchen is now respectable haha

 

[jotesh]

The new surface is down already - I've not competed on it only warmed up but it is so much better! And the new jumps look almost a championship set. The new owners are really trying to improve the place, if you haven't been for a while you will hardly recognise it.... but there is still works to be done.

They have big plans for Gracelands - all of it is being done with their own money, no grants or BSJA loans! Please support them everyone - if we don't use it we will lose it!

Years ago there was always 30+ in the classes and for certain qualifiers 90+. Lets get back to some decent class sizes and BSJA give them some qualifiers!!

 

[3268]

i have read all comments about gracelands, and agree the new owners are just so friendly and helpful. i have an energetic naughty youngster and usually go to shows alone, so rely heavily on people around me for a leg up, putting practice fence up, that sort of stuff. gracelands and allenshill are head and shoulders above the rest for a safe environment for me and my crazy youngster.
however lets give poor chris some credit for the service he gave us all those years. i mean 20 odd years ago when he was the only show for miles. he ran that place single handedly, was the only member of the family that ever smiled, and built some cracking affiliated courses. so lets give him a bit of credit!!

 

[kick_On]

Does anyone have any images of revamp as i used to compete there. And would be interested to see improvements

I stopped cos it was horffic!!, i just remember them having chain harrow just dumped there in warm up area