Popular cross-country course to close this year
Another popular equestrian venue is to close its doors later this year.
Carlton Cross-Country in Bedfordshire will shut at the end of this season, it was revealed today (Wednesday 12 August).
The venue hosted affiliated British Eventing (BE) competitions from BE80 up to novice as well as Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers.
It also ran unaffiliated cross-country and hunter trial events over the Philip Herbert-designed courses.
Nicholas and Sara Tusting have run the course, which is also open for schooling, for 25 years.
A statement on its website said it was with mixed feelings that the owners had decided to make 2015 their last season and hoped riders would join them for “one last gallop”.
“We have always fitted the building, maintenance and administration of the course into evenings and weekends and this has been made possible by our whole family giving us so much help,” the statement read.
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“However, family dynamics change with children having their own jobs and careers to follow and at the same time the demands, not least that of health and safety, become ever more onerous.”
The course will close permanently in October.
“We have been incredibly fortunate in the support that you have all given to us over the years, including those of you who in recent years have volunteered at our horse trials as well as competed in them,” the couple added.
“We hope that many of you will be able to have one last gallop over the course.
“To everyone, we wish you every success with your future riding careers whatever level you may be at.”
Riders took to social media to share their sadness at losing the established venue.
“The people that ran the events were amazingly friendly and I for one will miss the venue and those people enormously,” said one Facebook user.
Another added: “Very sad. The few times I have visited you I have always been impressed with the beauty of the course and the real friendliness of the family and volunteers. Thank you.”
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.