arenas that are no more

siennamum

siennamum

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The thread featuring the old show schedule got me thinking. I competed at events and venues which have long been forgotten, I can't find any trace of some of the XC courses/BHS events I used to compete at.

We went to x3 main competition venues to SJ, don't think any of them exist as competition venues. Balsall Common in Coventry, Box End nr Bedford and more often we went to Stoneleigh, SJ all Winter indoors junior and senior and the PC Championships used to be held there - it was fab as it was just down the road had great facilities.

Here is a pic of me jumping fences I wouldn't jump these days, with Jonny Wrathall who was course builder in the background - don't know if anyone remembers Jonny.

MeSummerStonleleigh.jpg
 
Is Wing stil going? Mill Lodge has gone and only other one I can think of is Harwood Hall arena thats no longer there and there was somewhere near Hereford but I can't remamber the name of that I suspect is no longer around as it was falling down many years ago
 
Gosh Mill Lodge! Remember it well, jumped lots of rounds there as a child.

Does anyone remember Allerton which was on the A1 close to Alconbury, just south of Peterborough. I remember watching the likes of Harvey Smith jump there when I was a child.
 
I can remember more that no longer exist that do I think!

Crabbet Park near Crawley
Matthews Riding School at Gillingham
Blue Barn at Ashford...still exists in some form but a shadow of what it was.
BSJA at Ardingly in the Abergavenny building...long ceased.
Hardwood Hall
Tower lands

Then there are all the 'town' shows long since gone..

Eastbourne Horse Show
Reigatian Hockey Club Horse Show
Action Research Show
Woolwich Horse Show
Birchington Show
Rochester Show

Shocking really :-(
 
Wing was relaunched a couple of years back with new surfaces etc, just runs unaf DR and SJ now.

I remember going to stay over shows at Stocklands (which was just up the road from Hickstead) and Towerlands as a kid - does Stocklands still exist?
 
Anyone remember Stags End Equestrian centre nr Hemel in Hertfordshire. I knew it as 'Huskies' back in the early 1980's although I can't remember why.

I can remember show jumping there in the early 80s. We went on a Thursday evening and sometimes on a Saturday and Sunday as well. I survived my early teens on chocolate cake and chips from their cafe. No wonder I was spotty!

The indoor school is now used to store antiques as it's now Bushwood Antiques.

I also remember Box End. I remember the indoor being very small.
 
Does anyone remember the taplow horse show in buckinghamshire?? Mum used to take me every year late 80s early 90s until it stopped.
 
East Midlands people, do you remember;

Syston EC (nr Leicester) - was a caravan showroom last time I drove past
Poskitts EC (nr Lincoln) - now an industrial estate
Newark EC - still there but privately owned

There were also some lovely country fairs (Rempstone Steam Fair, etc) and county shows which have fallen by the wayside :(
 
olop said:
Does anyone remember the taplow horse show in buckinghamshire?? Mum used to take me every year late 80s early 90s until it stopped.
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Lol, never forgotten taking one of the youngsters there in around 86/87 - he saw a boat coming past while we were in the ring & freaked completely! :D

Then there was the Caronjoy, Blantyre Park & Arlington Grove shows etc run by Joan & Carol Richards, held all over the place from: Priory at Frensham, Parwood EQ, Stoney Castle at Pirbright, Kempton & Ascot race courses, Kenley airfield and Stonehill road showground in Ottershaw & plenty of other places etc etc.

Anyone remember going to Burwood Farm - up at the top of Guildford downs on Easter Mondays each year? I got my 1st ever clear round there in the Junior jumping :D (started at 2ft 6, so a bit of a struggle for my solid 12.2 in cold blood)
 
What's the name of the place a father built for or in memory of a sick son? There were amazing photos of it decaying away, it was abandoned for something about planning permission for the access road and big lorries I think?

I think Rambo (?) on here jumped one if the few shows they held there- a pro am maybe?
 
What about Stocklands, just near the Liphook Equine Hospital? Indoor school, outdoor arena (with small Derby bank IIRC) and hunter trial course through the woods.
 
MCTM said:
What about Stocklands, just near the Liphook Equine Hospital? Indoor school, outdoor arena (with small Derby bank IIRC) and hunter trial course through the woods.
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I thought Stocklands was just up the road from Hickstead? It was the best part of 30 years ago since I was there but I was sure it was that direction?

I also remember Stags end - nightmare place to get to, I only went a couple of times just before it closed, it was pretty run down at that stage :(
 
The Stocklands I'm thinking of is definitely just outside of Liphook - there is still a signpost on the road down to Forest Mere and the horsepital. It was over 30 years ago that I competed there too. Maybe there are 2 Stocklands?
 
Church Farm - seem to recall it's houses now?? Best pony derby in the country.
Loved Mill Lodge - seemed to spend more time there than at home during the winter.
Have fond memories of Harwood Hall as got my first RIHS ticket there the only time we went.
I think the school is still standing at Yarkhill but its just farmed now - could be wrong but we pass it regularly and it doesn't seem to have changed much despite closing.
 
meardsall_millie said:
East Midlands people, do you remember;

Syston EC (nr Leicester) - was a caravan showroom last time I drove past
Poskitts EC (nr Lincoln) - now an industrial estate
Newark EC - still there but privately owned

There were also some lovely country fairs (Rempstone Steam Fair, etc) and county shows which have fallen by the wayside :(
Click to expand...

Yes, used to do BS at Poskitts, used to like jumping there, nice big arena.

I also remember jumping at an evening show at Newark EC and won a packet of sweets for first prize!! :D
 
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