First all-weather cross-country training centre opens in Leics

What is believed to be the first all-weather cross-country training centre in the country has opened in Leicestershire in the East Midlands.

Willoughby Equestrian, based in Willoughby on the Wolds, owned and run by Tracey Dillon will offer all-weather, all year round cross-country training for the first time in the UK, according to British Eventing.

Ms Dillon said: “As I used to go eventing myself, I know how frustrating it is when the weather is either too bad or in summer the ground too hard to train.

“So we’ve put in a huge outdoor school, water complex, bank complex and ditches in the all-weather arena.”

Hoping to attract all levels of riders, the 60x70m arena, designed by Ms Dillon and built by local firm Fentons, will be charged out an hourly rate or a rate per horse.

Ms Dillon said: “We’re very flexible.”

Eric Smiley, Matthew Sampson, Aidan O’Connell, Nigel Taylor and Yogi Breisner, performance manager of the British Eventing team, will be taking clinics during September and October.

A spokesman for British Eventing said: “As far as we know, this is the first of its kind.”

For more info contact Tracey Dillon on 07769 734824.

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