Event riders can look forward to competing against the beautiful backdrop of Houghton Hall in Norfolk in a brand new CCI** event next spring. The stately home of the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley is set in more than 800 acres of sandy soil parkland, which should ensure good ground for the early season event.
Yogi Breisner and Mike Tucker, assisted by Jonathan Clissold, visited four sites around the country before reporting back to the BE board. Each site was evaluated on its suitability to develop young horses, attract public interest and sponsorship and be an asset to the sport in this country.
Yogi Breisner said: “The location and setting of Houghton Hall provides an opportunity to run a world class event in more than 800 acres of parkland, on sandy soil with a truly stunning backdrop for spectators and sponsors.”
The event will be managed by Alec Lochore of Musketeer Event Management and will run for an initial period of three years (2007-2009). The date for the event is still to be decided.
A delighted Alec Lochore said: “The sport of horse trials is lucky to have access to such wonderful estates and this is a great opportunity for the sport. Houghton is the sort of site that an organising team dreams of running a horse trials at, with a spectacular back drop, masses of room, excellent going and a very co-operative estate. The pressure is now on to deliver an event that befits the venue.”
Peter Durrant, chief executive of British Eventing added: “We are thrilled that another prestigious and beautiful location has come to British Eventing and congratulate the team who put together such a strong bid. The quality of all the applications was extremely high and the sport was spoilt for choice in making this decision.”
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