The Event Horse Owners’ Association (EHOA) is set to continue its current series of training days following the success of the pre-season training weekends at the end of February.
On Thursday 1 April, owner-riders will have the opportunity to benefit from former Olympian Ian Stark’s training and experience early on in the season, at a flatwork and jumping training day at his home at Haughhead, Ashkirk.
The 47-year-old Scot won four Olympic silver team medals during his international career — his first in 1984 and his most recent in Sydney in 2000. One of Britain’s most successful three-day eventers of all time, Ian has won Badminton three times, most remarkably achieving both first and second place on Sir Wattie and Glenburnie in 1988.
Ian retired from international eventing after the Sydney Olympics but continues to ride on the national circuit. He is in great demand as a trainer and has been appointed team trainer for Brazil in the run up to Athens.
The EHOA training day will be split into one-and-a-half-hour sessions, with four riders in each session. Training is open to both EHOA members (£30 per session) and non-members (£45 per session).
Alongside the training days, the EHOA is continuing its other initiative to encourage owner-riders to event this year. Generous sponsorship from Biotal means that the association has been able to expand its training awards, which enable winners to book lessons with top trainers.
