South people... Hoplands EC...

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RachelB

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Someone today told me that Hoplands EC in Hampshire has been sold. Not only that, but to a guy with three horses who is chucking Sorrel and Sam out, and closing the facilities and making it all private! I know a lot of RCs and PCs use Hoplands for schooling and clinics etc., and the Lucinda Green clinics are held there too...
Anyway I was hoping that someone, somewhere, may have heard similar? Or hopefully someone has heard that he isn't going to make it private and I can raise my hopes a little??! My nearest ones now are Rockbourne, muddy local one down the road, and Warminster way!
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Seriously?!!!
I knew that they were having a few issues, particularly after they split but I didnt know it was that bad!!!!
Thats bad. Very bad.
 
Hmm, well I didn't know of anything wrong (head in the sand as usual!) but someone I go to college with has said that it's all looking very bad, and although Sorrel and Sam are still renting, it's just a matter of a short space of time before they're chucked out! She seemed to give the impression that it could be very quick, not even enough time to open the XC this year (it was planned for Feb ish time).
I was up there yesterday at a lecture, no signs of anything bad (but then you wouldn't suppose there would be..)
What a waste of such a good schooling and competition facility (and close! and with new jumps!)
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Yes, how reliable is this source??
Forrest is the person to talk to, she knows all the gossip from up there!!
Ask Maisey when youre up the yard next, she could probs find out easy enough. Actually, have we got a new horse up there? I heard talk of another racehorse...
 
Yes, I was rather hoping Forrest might reply...
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I will ask Maisie tomorrow though, she should have all the goss!
'tis a very reliable source I heard from though!
Have you not heard about the newbie then? I assume you're talking about 'Easy' (what a name poor thing!)? He's a sweetie, a bit of a TB grump but a lazy lump to handle! Martha has been on him a few times on the lunge, he's been good as far as I know! More than can be said for Joey, who is being a difficult obnoxious child at the mo!
 
Easy?!!!
Oh god poor thing! How big/old/what has he done do you know?? I dont really talk to T much and my parents are useless! Joey is lovely, just my kind of a horse he is!!
 
I wouldnt be surprised at all thiery not really got an interest and after he split with lucy i suppose the money looked good! Poor old sam he will have to go back to slumming it but i am having dinner with one of Sorrels neighbours tonight will find out all !!
 
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I wouldnt be surprised at all thiery not really got an interest and after he split with lucy i suppose the money looked good! Poor old sam he will have to go back to slumming it but i am having dinner with one of Sorrels neighbours tonight will find out all !!

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Good good, do report back on your findings
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They spent so much on it seems a shame to have it shut but like you say, the interest has gone, it's costing money to maintain and still needs a bit more spent on it.
 
Just spoke to Sorrell, yes Hoplands has been sold BUT Thierry will remain the manager, Sorrell and Sam are staying, and everything will remain the same for another 2 years at least..........

PHEW!! Not often one is so lucky to have such fab facilities and trainers on your doorstep!!
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Very relieved...am sure everyone else in Hampshire is too...
 
Yes, sounds a good arrangement, just hope that this new owner is nice and if he wants to change things that he makes positive changes to the place!!!
 
The actual situation is that Hoplands has been sold but there will be no change to the running or availability of hiring facilities. Sam and Sorrel are aware of this and they are not in any danger of being 'chucked out'. I work in the office of Hoplands so this is the gospel. As part of the deal with the new owners the current team is contracted to manage and run Hoplands on their behalf for the next two years.

So I am afraid you are stuck with us!
 
what a load of b...s I am reading! having known and been close to Lucy and Thiery I am saddened, but not surprised, to see the nature of some of the comments. Some are written out of genuine concern to lose Hoplands lovely facilities, and then you have the "others" who seem to relish in scare mongering and muck spreading ! what a surprise ...
I still use Hoplands regularly and Thiery always confided that there would come a time when he would sell Hoplands - but to the right person, with a mission to carry on loving and caring for the place and the means to do it !
So, yes, contracts have been exchanged and completion should happen early may. The new owners sound very nice people and are coming with one horse ... hardly a reason to make Hoplands private and empty all the boxes !
And they have tied Thiery and his team down to carry on running Hoplands on their behalf until 2008 at least, so it's rather good news ... and 2009 ? who knows !
Long live Hoplands

ps Thiery's dog will still be there looking for spare sandwiches ...
 
Excuse me for breathing, but I actually started the post to ask if anyone knew the real story, knowing that there are people on here that are bound to know more than me (Forrest for one). I am NOT "muck spreading" and do not like being referred to as such thank you. I was only repeating what I have heard and trying to find out the true story, knowing that the one I heard first may not be true/the whole story. There is no need to be rude to people who are just discussing what they have heard and trying to decipher the truth from the inevitable Chinese Whispers.
However I am glad to hear than Hoplands will not be closing in the near future, that and we seem to have cleared up the "muck" on this thread and established the truth.
 
sorry ! didn't mean to offend an obviously genuine friend of Hoplands ! but neither did I say you personnally were spreading muck, did I ?
 
Old thread but seeing as it's H&H today regarding increased revenue - can safely say that Hoplands' is in pretty good hands with its new owners
 
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