by Lindores Cross Country | Jun 18, 2018 | News
Lindores Design A Fence Competition Winner’s design is more than a fence!
What an achievement to everyone involved!
When Lindores Equestrian opened up entries to their 2018 Design a Fence Competition never in their wildest dreams did they expect the winning entry to be as wonderful as it is!
Riders of all ages and artistic abilities were welcomed to enter into the 2018 competition but Scottish rider Dorothy Drury’s Wobbleberries Challenge inspired fence was a clear winner for the judges.
Dorothy Drury’s winning entry was supplied in 2D and 3D designs and inspired by Wobbleberries Challenge…
The standard of fence design entries were impressive but the judges felt that this Wobbleberry design had the edge over the other great entries because it had great profile, colour palette and the judges really related to the charitable theme.
Lindores Equestrian is a popular venue for Wobbleberry Challenge riders training or attending residential camps and the team felt the Wobbleberries fence would bring a smile to riders faces and continue to encourage them to keep training and fundraising.
Primarily, the Wobbleberry challenge is a fund raising initiative for horse riders to raise money for Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity. The “Wobbleberry Challenge” was set up because the founders were inspired by the young event rider Hannah Francis who sadly lost her battle against a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Hannah was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 17years and demonstrated extraordinary courage and dignity while enduring painful and debilitating treatment. Hannah’s sheer determination defied all medical opinion as she continued to ride right up until her tragically early passing at only 18years of age. The founders of the Wobbleberry Challenge wanted to raise money for Hannah’s fantastic charity, where every penny will fulfil two principal objectives – to fund research into osteosarcoma and to provide equestrian experiences (“Willberry’s Wishes”) to seriously ill people.
The Challenge has run for a year so far, raising over £269,000, with over 1,200 people initially signing up. This is not about a few people raising vast sums of money – it’s about what a group of normal people can achieve when working together. There is no competitive element – it is all about supporting each other. Lots of new friendships have been made because of the Challenge and people have done things they never imagined they were capable of. There are no failures – people celebrate every step on the journey.
People who take part in the personal challenge aim at completing a BE80(T) event, having never completed one previously with their equine partner. This has proven to be an effective balance between a proper challenge and one that is achievable by ordinary people, riding ordinary horses. It has encouraged fantastic feats of fundraising and sponsorship and created a real sense of achievement when completing.
BE Course Builder David Wilson… Genius!
British Eventing Course Builder David Wilson regularly course checks and builds fences at Lindores Equestrian and his talents and attention to detail have prevailed again! David Wilson spent over 5 days carving Willberry, building and painting the Wobbleberry fence. Willberry the enormous wooden ‘pony’ is utterly adorable! He is carved from one piece of a tree, he alone weighs 1 tonne and is an uncanny resemblance to Hannah’s Willberry pony. The fence profile is as per Dorothy’s entry vision with a 70cm and a 90cm fence height which can be jumped from both directions. The fence colours, stars, scarf are all painted to absolute perfection and the hashtag is a reminder that Lindores Equestrian is right behind #kickingcancersbutt
Dorothy Drury the entry winner said ‘I really like drawing and as a rider myself I just wanted to design a fence that offered lots of different options to train over’. Lindores Equestrian are delighted to add this latest fence to the existing 125 cross country fences available to train over 7 days a week.
Lindores Equestrian – Book now
Lindores Equestrian is ideal for riders and horses or all abilities wanting to practice cross country, dressage or showjumping for an hour or as part of a camp experience. With 30 stables, 3 luxury holiday houses, campsite with showers, Bothy, 2 grass show jumping paddocks, brand new 60m x 40m outdoor arena, hacking and stunning countryside views. Lindores Equestrian is hugely popular and always welcoming new riders, instructors and clubs to train, host events, clinics and camps.
Enquire today about training at Lindores
Stay connected #
We want to see you jumping this new Wobbleberries fence so please tag all of us in all your photos! We’ll give you updates from us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07736 044 058
Lindores Equestrian Website: www.lindoresxc.co.uk
Luxury Lodges for Horse Holidays at Lindores: www.lindores.co.uk
by Lindores Cross Country | May 17, 2018 | News
Rated No. 1 in Scotland by EQy magazine 2017.
#LindoresStay #LindoresEquestrian
At Lindores we offer a range of holidays with your horse to suit all budgets, with prices starting from £30 per night.
Why come to Lindores?
Everyone loves spending time with their horse / family / friends, so why not bring them all with you to Lindores? We are situated just outside Newburgh in the stunning Fife Countryside and offer the ideal retreat for you and your four legged friend(s). There is plenty of hacking / walking around the farm with stunning scenery, we have a large enclosed grass paddock for riding in (complete with a course of show jumps), 30 stables, sand-school, a tack room and an awesome cross country course with fences ranging from 30cm – 1m+.
There are a number of local instructors who visit Lindores, who would be happy to help should you want to fit ina lesson during your stay, we recommend you book direct and have a list of local instructors atwww.lindoresxc.co.uk/instructors/.
In addition Howe Country Centre hosts has a full competition and training schedule and is a short (12 minute) drive away. For those who wish to travel slightly further afield then over five miles of sandy beach awaits you at St Andrews West Sands and Tentsmuir Forest. And for when you are off your horse there are a huge number of local places of interest to help you relax and enjoy the area. 
Only a short drive away you could experience the brand new Lindores Abbey Distillery with bar and café or visit Perth, St Andrews, Falkland and much more. For ideas on things to do visit https://www.lindores.co.uk/relax/
Our friendly family farm offers the ideal place to come and have fun with your ponies or horses and we are also dog friendly too. Horse holiday stabling costs start from £20 per night and you can choose to buy hay, straw, shavings whatever suits your horse and makes them feel at home.
Hacking around the farm is welcomed and riders can make use of the cross country course, sand school and grass show jumping paddock which are available to hire from £20 per horse for an hour. Body protectors must be worn when on the cross country course and you must be accompanied by someone on foot or horseback for safety. We take safety seriously which is why our facilities are
Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation options available:
1. Luxury homes to accommodate all party sizes only a short distance from the stables and boasting stunning views, en-suites, comfy beds and private hot tubs to really help you unwind. Lindores Lodge – a self-catering luxury lodge 
which sleeps 6+2. In addition we also have ‘The Arches’ a luxury couples retreat, and new for 2018 ‘The Glasshouse’ which sleeps 4+2. Book online www.lindores.co.uk.
2. Pitch your tent – We have a grass campsite to cater for a small number of tents, with toilet, shower and catering facilities onsite. Campers are welcome to use the Bothy which is a converted barn shed with wood burner, small kitchen and fridge. Pitch price is £10/night for 2 people and £5 per person thereafter
3. Bring your caravan or horsebox – We have hard standing for caravan and horseboxes and also have electric hook up points. You are of course welcome to use the shower and Bothy. Lorry parking from £10 per night for 2 people and £5 per person thereafter.
4. Local B&B’s – there are a number of B&B’s available locally Please book these directly, for more information google accommodation near Newburgh.
Booking
Please contact Lindores direct to check availability for stables / tent pitches / horsebox pitches and for customers wishing to stay in the luxury accommodation its worth checking availability online at https://www.lindores.co.uk/stay/ .
Booking early avoids disappointment but we will do our best to accommodate. We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Lindores Team x
Stay Connected For Offers and Updates
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www.facebook.com/lindoresequestrian
Lindores Accommodation – www.lindores.co.uk
Lindores Equestrian – www.lindoresxc.co.uk
by Lindores Cross Country | Mar 8, 2018 | News
Lindores Equestrian Launch Innovative Pace Training Facility.
Lindores are extremely excited to announce our collaboration with Optimum Time to launch Scotland’s first ever pace training facility with stopwatch hire.
The innovative pace training facility called Lindores Optimum Time Trial incorporates optional British Eventing style 80cm and 1m cross country fences located around a safe grass track with 30 second meter markers set for Pony Cub and BE80, BE90 and BE100 speeds.
The Lindores Optimum Time Trial will allow riders to safely practice balanced and controlled pace using a stop watch to familiarise themselves with the correct pace they need to be travelling at in order to remain within the time when competing at cross country events.
The track is also designed to help riders increase their horse’s fitness levels to help prepare them for competitive events. The full track is on good going grass and located within view of the established Lindores Cross Country ground, but it is designed to be far apart to offer space for safe riding and training.
Anna Black, Manager of Lindores Equestrian said, “We’re so excited to be offering something completely new to the equestrian training market. Lindores developments are consistently driven by customer and market demands and thanks to our ability to listen and continually invest Lindores Equestrian continues to cater for riders of all abilities whether their priority is pleasure or progression.
“The project has been underway since 2017 because of the team’s strong desire to collaborate with Optimum Time. Riding with a stopwatch can be a daunting process and safety in the sport is paramount so anything we can do to help riders and instructors practice balanced, controlled pace is a positive move forward. We are delighted that instructors and riders, camp hosts and horse holiday guests can now take full advantage of this new training tool centrally located in Scotland.”
Tim Hawkins Co-owner of Optimum Time, the UK’s leading stopwatch manufacturer for the equestrian industry provides stopwatches for all levels of equestrian Eventers globally.
Tim said, “Lindores Equestrian presented this innovative concept of a pace track to help riders practice the correct pace for their competitive level. Optimum Time supports the provision of safe riding facilities and encourages all riders competing at BE80 level and above to practice balanced and well-paced riding and what better way than at Lindores Equestrian with an Optimum Time watch. Optimum Time watches are easy to use, engineered into bespoke design and iconic within the eventing industry. The collaboration between Lindores Equestrian and Optimum Time is representative of their forward thinking innovative brands.”
Be sure to watch the Lindores Optimum Time Trial demo film on You Tube with rider and instructor James Oakden BHSA I riding SVS Upbeat. His commentary is ideal for riders or instructors wanting to be the first to know how to use the brand new pace track.
How to book
The Lindores Optimum Time Trial can be used by any rider, camp attendee or horse holiday guest hiring Lindores Cross Country course.
To book the Optimum Time Trial Click here <www.lindoresxc.co.uk/online-booking> and select ‘Cross Country hire with NEW Optimum Time Trial’ in the facility drop down menu.
How to hire a stopwatch
Riders have the option to hire an Optimum Time stopwatch from Lindores Equestrian whilst using the Lindores Cross Country training facility. To do this please add in your booking comments and ask at reception. There is a small security deposit and a £5 hire charge.
Lindores Optimum Time Trial opens March 2018.
Any customers wanting to find out more about Optimum Time watches visit www.optimumtime.co.uk.
Any customers wanting to experience a Lindores horse holiday and stay in the luxury accommodation before trialling the Lindores Optimum Time Trial should view the luxury lodges here: www.lindores.co.uk
STAY CONNECTED
www.facebook.com/lindoresequestrian
www.instagram.com/lindoresequestrian
www.twitter.com/lindoresXC
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lindoresxc.co.uk
Address: Lindores Equestrian Ltd, Braeside of Lindores, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6HU
Telephone: 07736 044 058
We look forward to welcoming you to Lindores. Nominated Equestrian Business of the Year 2018 and 2017 by HorseScotland.
by Lindores Cross Country | Feb 6, 2018 | News
Lindores Equestrian will officially become our new business trading name in 2018.
Lindores Cross Country has been our business trading name for 28 years – since Frances Black established the cross country course with Maggie Livingston back in 1989.
Back in 1989 Lindores Cross Country was the only central Scotland cross country training course and it received an incredible amount of coverage in the industry papers at the time.
Since 1989, Lindores Cross Country has grown and caters for third generation family horse riders, grass root riders, 2** eventers, happy hackers, campers, horse holiday makers and everything in between.
Lindores has grown over the years and with huge investment in the last 4 years the business name Lindores Cross Country no longer reflects the wider proposition available to the equestrian community.
So, it is with great excitement and pride we rename ourselves as Lindores Equestrian. Please stay connected with us for more and more updates from the team.
www.facebook.com/lindoresequestrian
www.instagram.com/lindoresequestrian
www.twitter.com/lindoresXC
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lindoresxc.co.uk
Address: Lindores Equestrian Ltd, Braeside of Lindores, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6HU
Telephone: 07736 044 058
by Lindores Cross Country | Oct 11, 2017 | News
Colin Hamilton, DC of Glenrothes PC, looks back on a successful 2017.
As always, our Members Show brings a close to the spring/summer Pony Club season, and after a brief shower of rain as we were preparing for tack and turnout for our mini class, the sun or at least dry weather, was the order for the rest of the day.
Lindores Cross Country has now become our adopted home, facilitating our weekly rallies on a Thursday evening, Summer League competitions, Camp, and Members show. As our club has put the foundations down at Lindores we have worked closely with Anna and the rest of the Black family to develop a great relationship which works for both parties. We are currently planning to enter our fourth season at Lindores which we are very happy about.
After a winter of team jumping, indoor rally’s, quiz and the start of hunter trial season, eventually the clocks change providing enough daylight hours to commence the summer programme. We kick the season off with an on-foot rally for the kids and a parents meeting covering all the boring but essential information for the season ahead. Being a small club we alternate between flatwork and jumping each week with the odd specialist training added in for upcoming events.
It’s great to see all the members back together again and how they are so welcoming of any new members who have joined no matter the age group. There is a real buzz in the air as the chatter of new ponies and upcoming competitions echoes around the farm.
After a few weeks of rally’s, it is time for our first summer league. I am always impressed with how supportive our members are of each other even when there are lots of lovely rosettes to be won. The weather holds out for us and the kids do us proud, with their smart turnout and riding. Back to the rally’s and our thoughts are now turning to final preparations for camp.
Camp provides lots of positive experiences, but the one I am going to mention is how even the youngest attendees grow in independence during the week, so much so we normally receive comments from shocked parents about how their children have changed. Not often kids are speechless but this year at camp we had Louisa Milne Home as a guest speaker and I think they were so in awe of her we couldn’t get any questions for Louisa, thanks for finding their mute button and for inspiring dreams for the future.
The rest of the summer holidays were spent either at Area Qualifiers and Regional Champs for our more senior members, who all put in good performances in highly competitive environments, with the club bringing home rosettes every day in both competitions.
We also had a team at Combined Training, although with no team placing, we had some very good individual performances that were rewarded with placings.
Which brings us full circle to Members Show, there were some very closely fought classes with minimal marks between riders in tack and turnout and dressage, some very tight times in the Show Jumping with nice double clears and an extremely tough decision for our Working Hunter judge after some very confident riding.
A massive thanks to everyone involved in our club, who all come together and help support all that we do for our members. We are looking forward to another great season at Lindores in 2018.
For more information on Glenrothes Pony Club Click here.
by Lindores Cross Country | Apr 28, 2017 | News
Scottish Rider Magazine April 2017.
We’re delighted that the front cover is a fabulous photo of British Eventer Louisa Milne Home riding Future Plans at Lindores Cross Country.
Scottish Rider Magazine ran a feature page covering the recent developments at training facility Lindores Cross Country and they loved the photograph (taken by professional Dave Mackison) so much they used it for the front cover of their mag.
Here is what Scottish Rider had to say about us:
Full speed ahead at Lindores Cross Country
Equestrian Business of the Year nominee 2017
Anna Black, manager of Lindores Cross Country, and the team at Lindores Cross Country were delighted to be nominated for Equestrian Business of the Year in the HorseScotland Awards 2017. Lindores Cross Country, which has expanded heavily in the last few years since it was established in 1989, now operates as a full equestrian training centre. The growth and expansion of the business has been based on their customer feedback and a desire to always do better.
On course for success
Lindores now have 30 stables, show jumping paddocks, a sand school, luxury accommodation, campsite and living space to offer customers so their offering is more than simply cross country training.
The well established course boasts 125 fences built to British Eventing standards, ranging in height from tiny open ditches up to 1.2m so riders from beginners up to two star eventers will benefit from training at the facility. Fences are built by BE accredited course builder, David Wilson, who has been designing and building bespoke fences at Lindores since 2014, ensuring the centre’s standards are upheld.
A lot of hard work was put into the development of the cross country course in 2016, and the centre’s hard work is paying off. The course is rapidly becoming one of the best facilities around, not only boasting fence heights and styles to suit all levels, 26 riding camps have been booked in so far for 2017 – an astonishing growth compared to just two camps held in 2013. Independent hosts and instructors frequent the centre to hold clinics, some of which sell out in minutes.
As well as hosting more camps in the future, Anna and the team are hoping to provide further opportunities for horse holidays with their 30 stable capacity, and the expansion of the luxury holiday lodges with hot tubs to provide more dwellings.
Danny MacAskill’s Wee Day Out
Recently Lindores Cross Country became the setting for a hay bale stunt in Danny MacAskill’s Red Bull film “Wee Day Out”. This inspired the recent creation of the unique six metre high keyhole fence, the Danny MacAskill Hay Bale fence.
“Danny receives thousands of offer to perform stunts at various locations across UK, so for him to take us up on our offer to film at Lindores was an honour,” Anna explained.
Scotlands most iconic hay bale fence was officially opened on 8th March, by Danny himself and one of Britain’s top event riders, Louisa Milne Home riding Future Plans. They spent the day filming stunts over many other fences on the farm and completed a race across stunning countryside and horse jumps requiring bravery, skill and determination. They jumped pheasant feeders, whisky barrels, steps and cottages, finishing with the iconic Danny MacAskill-inspired fence.
Danny then made the most of the facilities on-site and stayed in Lindores Lodge, the relaxing rural retreat. He chilled out in the hot tub like many horse riders do after spending the day outdoors. In fact Lindores Lodge has been so popular the team are building a couples luxury retreat and a two bedroomed lodge in 2017.
Like Clockwork
New addition to the facilities at Lindores in 2017 is Scotland’s first fitness and pace training facility. With BE regulations allowing riders to compete with stopwatches from BE80 and above. It is now more important than ever before that riders practice using a stopwatch and get a feel for the correct pace. Many riders don’t know or have the facilities to practice pace and control over authentic cross country ground, so Lindores have introduced the facility which can be used with or without its brand new fences. And for those not sure whether to invest in a stop watch if you hire one at Lindores you can try before you buy.
Moving forward
Anna makes sure she listens to customer and industry figurehead feedback when expanding Lindores’ offerings, meaning that customers are at the heart of all of her decisions. The team offer something for everyone, for those looking to bring their non-horsey friends or other half, the sporting venue is also able to offer clay pigeon shooting, as well as walks and spa treatments, with a great range of other attractions nearby.
Anna Black, Danny MacAskill and David Wilson
END
Scottish Rider Magazine Website
Lindores Cross Country Facebook
Lindores Lodge Website
Lindores Lodge Facebook
British Event Rider Louisa Milne Home Eventing
Danny MacAskill’s ‘Wee Day Out’ Red Bull film and the Hay Bale Trick behind the scenes footage
Photographer Dave Mackison
