Zara Philips gets a Martin Collins outdoor arena
Zara Phillips has recently taken delivery of a Martin Collins Enterprises (MCE) Ecotrack arena. This is the first outdoor manege at Gatcombe Park.
The world three-day event champion joins a long list of MCE customers including her father Captain Mark Phillips, showjumpers Michael and William Whitaker, Rodrigo Pessoa and Ben Maher, and dressage rider Emile Faurie.
The wax-coated Ecotrack was used at the European show jumping and dressage championships at Windsor last year.
Zara selected Ecotrack for her own dual-purpose use and has learned how to create optimum conditions for both disciplines using a purpose-made Martin Collins arena-master maintenance machine.
“My father has a Martin Collins surface and I have jumped on it many times,” said Zara. “I like the way it gives but does not move under the hoof, which gives a lot of confidence and security.
“I have heard showjumpers say that Ecotrack gives you a bit more ‘jump’ — let’s hope my horses feel the effects!
“The horses love the new manege and already I have seen a difference in their outlook, by not being hemmed in by the walls of the school.”
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Glynnie Walford of Martin Collins said: “We are thrilled and very proud that Zara chose Ecotrack as the surface for her new outdoor school.
“Collaboration with an event rider of her profile and expertise means a great deal to our company.
“The team at Martin Collins is very much looking forward to working with Zara over the next three years.”
Martin Collins has been an innovator in equestrian and racing surface supply for 30 years, and was awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen in 2008.
He has laid over 2,000 private and commercial riding arenas in the UK alone, including Olympia, Hickstead and Windsor.
He has also surfaced 15 racecourses worldwide and over 85 miles of public and private training gallops.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.