Larkhill intro? and other starter events.

[RachelB]

Using quick reply as there were a couple about this:
My instructor was the organiser for the dressage at Spire Park, she got a phone call last week from the organiser of the event saying that letters would be sent out to all involved but they had taken the decision to stop. I can't imagine they would make much money out of it, and that was what they were - a profit-making organisation. Plus they said they were aiming for grass roots, PC and RC people, but why have a big and fairly technical (it was when they started) intro and PN course for that? They really needed fences at RC level to do what they wanted to do. And I believe they only had one outside event there, the ground that day was very hard apparently. I wasn't told the exact reason why they are giving up, that is just me speculating from what I have heard (and my limited eventing knowledge!)
But hey don't worry, the new owners of Clarendon Park want to set up an event there! So hopefully we'll have another one over this way some time!

 

[Tia]

Larkhill is a great little course for novice horses. Very friendly jumps.

Never been to Ebbesbourne. Tweseldown is a really cool course, not really sure it is suitable for green horses though - however I love it!

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

Hmm the thing that i dont like about larkhill (from what you've all said) is how exposed it is as this means the winds can really get up, and rock tends to go a bit doolally in high winds in exposed areas
Do either larkhill or ebbesbourn hav a website where they have photos?

 

[RachelB]

Ebbesbourne isn't exposead at all. Larkhill is the other end of the scale, if it's windy it's gale force, if it's wet it's torrential, but if it's nice it's absolutely lovely!
Ebbesbourne's website is www.escombeequestrian.com

 

[Bossanova]

Always go to Larkhill and never had any problems there- although the dressage is v exposed, they dont seem to get lit up by it and it's nice and flat which is a bonus!! The sj is always nice with enough to look at with flowers etc so a good introduction and the xc is perfect for babies- I'd def aim to do it if I were you.
Ebbesbourne is lovely and very well built, I've piloted two green babies around the intro course and have to say that whilst it prob walks a bit harder than Larkhill, it rides beautifully and I really enjoyed it. I think it comes after Larkhill so they'd be a good first two to aim for

 

[poggio]

Larkhill is lovely, nice straightforward course and would be ideal for a first attempt. As others have said, if the weathers bad you will get it rough at Larkhill.. I remember being there one year up to my knees in mud (no lie), continuous HEAVY rain and driving winds... but they still kept on. Just moved the practice ring over a few metres every half hr or so!