We are looking forwards to hosting the Somerford Premier League Dressage on 25th – 27th May, when top combinations will be contesting up to Grand Prix level, with Music Classes as well.  There will also be plenty of opportunities for shopping at the tradestand village. For more details go to www.somerfordpremierleague.co.uk

We have moved the Farm Ride back on to the sand track so that it can stay open, the Cross Country Schooling is checked each morning to see if it is safe to take bookings, so please check on the day you wish to come if it is available.  Any decision on the BSPS Area 2A Show will be taken at the end of the week, and posted on the websites.

Our aim is to ensure that EVERYONE enjoys their day – not just the competitors, so we hope that we achieved this and our loyal band of highly valued volunteers will all be back with us in August! (Sorry if you are now on a diet!!)

We are all looking forwards to Somerford Park Event (1) which takes place on 10th and 11th March.  We have a very good entry and preparations are well in hand.  The show jumping will take place on the Andrews Bowen pro-wax surface, and we have built lots of new fences for the Cross Country. 

The cross country is shut today, we will be opening as soon as the ground condiditons permit - it will be announced on the website and facebook as soon as we open.

The Andrews Bowen Pro-Wax Arenas, the surface that is to be used in Greenwich for the 2012 London Olympics, have been tried and tested with glowing reports, and the first guests have slept in the 12’ x 12’ Monarch stables. We hope the proximity of the huge, light and airy stable blocks to the Arenas, Cross Country and Farm Ride will enhance everyone’s experience during their stay at Somerford. There are large storage areas for all the feed, tack, tools and other paraphernalia that a few days away with a horse inevitably brings, and a designated horse wash off area will help to provide the very best care for every horse that comes to a Camp at Somerford.

We will be using the Woodside Facilities for Camps from mid/end of February onwards.

For 2012 we will have the option of hosting one large (up to 52 stables) or two smaller (maximum 26 stables) Camps running concurrently. There will be two separate sets of Pavilion Facilities – Showers/Toilets/Kitchens/Laundry Rooms and Function Rooms for this purpose. Arenas will be allocated for the sole use of your Camp (no need to share) and there will be ample parking space with electric hookups available as at present.

Arenas:

Woodside 1 & 2:

Two Show Jumping with full set of Jumps: 40m x 65m each.

Waterside 1 & 2:

Two Flatwork with Dressage letters: 20m x 60m each

Waterside 3:

One Show Jumping with ‘Practice’ Jumps: 20m x 60m

ALL ARENAS ARE EQUIPPED WITH CCTV AND MUST BE KEPT THOROUGHLY POO-PICKED. A cheque for £200 must be left at the office at the start of your Camp. This will be returned or torn up once we have inspected your Arenas at the end of Camp, and are happy that they have been left clean. We have CCTV installed in all Arenas and no one else will use your arenas during your Camp.

Camps hiring:

26 stables are allocated one Show Jumping and one Flatwork Arena.

26 – 33 stables are allocated the Waterside 3 ‘Practice’ Arenas well.

34 – 52 stables are allocated the choice of any four of the five Arenas.

You can Hire other Arenas on the hourly rate if they are available.

The Cross Country is included in the price as at present.

CAMP PRICES FOR 2012.

STABLES:

26 12’x12’ Monarch Stables including 2 bales shavings and all facilities except Farm Ride:

1st Day: £700

2nd Day: £600

3rd and subsequent Days: £450

Half Day including Pavilion: £300

Extra stables pro rata as currently.

PAVILION:

To include one set of: Kitchen, Toilet Block, Shower Block, Laundry Room, Function Room, Skip and Parking. (All the same size as the Pavilion in the yard):

1st Day: £100

2nd Day: £85

3rd and subsequent Days: £75

2nd Kitchen: Half above rate

2nd Shower/Toilets: Half above rate

Double Function Room space is included with either of the above options.

Full Pavilion (i.e. Double Facilities): Double the above rates.

FARM RIDE:

For 2012 we are offering the option of including unlimited use of the Farm Ride to Camps. This would mean your members could do the whole Ride, hack round a loop before lessons to warm up, or have a pleasant stroll to the River to cool down. We would ask however that they keep to the one-way system around the Ride if they are only doing part of it. You will nominate which option you are choosing at the start of your Camp.

Option 1: Pay £15 per head for one use of the ride, with a 10% discount for 10 or more bookings (as at present).

Option 2: Pay £20 per head for every stable used – this would give you unlimited use of the Ride.

Option 3: If you do not wish to use the Farm Ride there will be no charge – but if any member of your Camp is found on the Ride without prior booking with the Farm Office you will be charged £20 per head as per Option 2.

If you are able to volunteer to help at this Event please ring us on 01260 299888.  

 The cross country schooling field will remain shut for the time being – ground conditions dictate when we can re-open it.  Meantime, lots of portables are in the Ash Arena with solid fences, simulated ditches, a duel height Bank, several skinnies and a half-owl-hole for perfecting technique before attempting similar questions in an open field.  It is available to book at any time.

We also of course hire out our Show Jumping Arenas, and if you would like to hire a dressage arena (20 x 40 or 20 x 60) laid out with white boards give the office a ring and we can let you know when they are available.

Our pre-Season Eventers Show Jumping competition (two phase) takes place on Tuesday 14th February. Classes from BE80 – Intermediate: Click Here for Schedule.  

Harthill Stud pre-Event Dressage will take place on Thursday 16th February.  Classes from BE100 to FEI*** : Click Here for Schedule. 

If you feel you would like some help with your preparations Active Rider still have a few spaces on their pre-Season Event Camp on 16th – 18th March.  For details click here.

Although the Cross Country Schooling on the grass is shut, the Winter Ride remains open, as does the Cross Country Technique in the Ash Arena with jumps for all capabilities.

Our Pre-season Eventers Show Jumping takes place onTuesday 14th February with classes from 85cm to 1.20m.  Once again Sue Barratt will be building the courses, so it will be a good warm up for the early Events. Click Here for a Schedule.

We are OPEN every day over the holiday period apart from 25th and 26th December.  Telephone 01260 299888 to book.