It’s time for you to put pen to paper and design the next iconic Lindores Cross Country jump! It will be built for our award winning cross country training course opening date Sunday 1st March 2026.
If your design wins this competition you will not just get the kudos but you will receive a beautiful £25 Gift Voucher to put towards cross country hire at Lindores so you can jump the fence you designed and we built with a British Eventing Course Builder!
Cross Country Opens 1st March 2026
We’re dedicated to always improving our facilities, we’re already working on maintenance for opening. We re-invest and improve every year. Our developments are always led by you – and are in the interest of our wonderful customers.
We’ve opened our equestrian booking system for cross country training in March. So please check availability and book early to be prepared for the season ahead.
We cannot wait to see what jump design you come up with in this competition – make it as bold, exciting and as fun as possible!
Entry Info
Anyone can enter!
Entries can be as simple as a drawing on paper – it helps if you can include colour and any jump dimensions.
Entry Deadline is Saturday 10th January 2026
Winner will be announced on Monday 26th January 2026
Previous Entry Winner – Dorothy Drury’s who designed ‘The Wobbleberries Jump’
We absolutely loved Dorothy Drury’s entry back in 2018. It made us smile and resonated with the judges at the time. It’s been a great way to continue raising awareness of Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony Charity and remind customers to enjoy life!
Wilberry was carved from one tree which weighed over a tonne. He stands proud on the course and makes people smile. The Wobbleberries fence is an iconic fence for riders of different abilities due to the two jump heights of 70cm and 90cm and it can be jumped both ways. A jump at the time designed to help British Eventing training – well done Dorothy!
Previous Winner – Polly Quaile who designed ‘The Whale’
Polly Quaile designed the whale and we still LOVE it!!! Polly’s design was inspired by Greta Thunberg sailing across the Atlantic at the time of the competition. The design has graffiti emblazoned on the fence ‘No More Plastic’ to help raise awareness of our planets environmental challenges. We are totally with you Polly – let’s save our planet!
The Whale Fence was a winner because it can be jumped both ways safely and has three fence height options for various abilities. The colours were suitable for horses to see and the judges found it a strong winner in 2020.
The build of the whale fence was more involved than any of you would think. We had to source the tree to make this very very large and heavy jump. We managed to source a fallen copper beach tree in the Cupar. We appointed contractors to cut and remove a 5 TONNE tree trunk from a small garden in the town. I can assure you it was not easy or cheap but it was totally worth it!
David Wilson Course Builder then started carving the tree trunk into the whale. As always he did a fantastic job. It took weeks but as a team… we brought Dorothy’s design to life.
We hope you agree she did a great job!
Authentic Cross Country at Lindores
So, we hope you enjoy designing Lindores next iconic fence for many instructors, parents and riders to enjoy for many years!
To stay in the loop – we will update our ‘What’s On’ website calendar regularly so please keep checking it.
You can look at our private hire availability anytime on our website’s online booking calendar. There are no charges for booking facility hire at Lindores because we’ve invested in our systems to save you money!
2026 is going to be a great year for riders visiting for private hire, clinics or camps. We have equestrian availability in 2026 so please get in touch if you have any questions.
This Christmas, skip the usual socks and mugs – give something unforgettable! A gift voucher for Lindores Equestrian, our award winning venue with training facilities to suit all abilities, ages and disciplines.
The lucky recipient can choose how to spend their experience — whether it’s:
Taking on our award-winning Cross Country course, with over 160 fences covering 85 acres of authentic, safely maintained ground
Perfecting their Flatwork or Show Jumping skills with Arena Hire, Working Hunter or Dressage/Show Jumps on Grass
Enjoying our beautiful Hacking routes across rolling countryside
Visiting us for a Horse Holiday, guests can camp onsite or hire one of Beds in Sheds units. There is also Stabling available with hay & straw.
Vouchers are valid for one year and are beautifully presented in a luxury black gift box with ribbon, it’s the ideal surprise for birthdays, Christmas, or any special occasion. If you need it fast, we can also email your voucher for instant delivery – perfect for those last-minute gifts!
Situated in a stunning location, Lindores is renowned for its cross country course, offering everything from beginner-level obstacles to more challenging ones for seasoned competitors. If you’re gearing up for the year ahead, there’s no better place to fine-tune your skills than at our safe, fun and friendly venue.
One of our standout features is our authentic terrain. Unlike other venues with man-made or overly artificial jumps, we offer natural, varied ground that will truly test both you and your horse. The course is designed to replicate real undulating cross country conditions – giving you the best chance to prepare. Whether you’re jumping over ditches, navigating through water or tackling an array of diverse obstacles, the natural ground encourages you to develop a deeper connection with your horse and prepares you for everything the season may throw at you. It’s not just about jumping over a fence – it’s about learning to read the ground, adjust your pace and navigate the natural obstacles that you may face during competitions.
Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned competitor, the realistic undulating grass conditions, hills and environment at Lindores will help build confidence and refine your skills.
A Safe, Well-Maintained Venue
Safety is a top priority at Lindores and we know that’s something our riders appreciate. The course is maintained to ensure the highest level of safety for both horses and riders. The jumps are designed and pinned into the ground with precision. Every fence is pinned down in line with British Eventing Regulations.
Every year – British Eventing Course Builder Paul Ellis and his helper Jules (who loves dressing fences) stay for a week to: check and approve every fence. They decommission fences, upgrade old, build new and importantly anchor to the ground with pins every fence so they don’t move. Our course is built in line with latest British Eventing regulations. Paul is very experienced having worked at Horse Trial venues such as: Alnockford, Burgham 90, Breckenbrough, North Allerton, Allerton Park, Bramham, Chatsworth and also Badminton. He coaches our ground maintenance team in January/February face to face and after 36 years in business we feel confident we know what we’re doing.
We check and maintain the ground and our fences during our open season March – October very regularly to give you confidence the course is good going ground and safe. Not all venues that promote cross country training anchor their fences to the ground so it’s always worth checking that a fence is anchored to avoid it rotating on impact and to ensure your safety.
See above an image of a black metal ground anchor (on top of the 30cm log) – captured to show you the length and ultimately the depth the anchors screw into the ground for grip.
Fun and Friendly Atmosphere
The team here at Lindores are passionate about Equestrian sport and aim to make every rider feel at home. The sense of community is part of what makes Lindores such a special place to train. It’s not just a training venue – it’s a place where riders of all levels can come together, share tips and connect over their passion for the sport.
Prepare for the Season Ahead
The cross country course is ideal for honing your skills and building confidence. Regular training sessions could help you and your pony or horse develop the necessary stamina and technique, which is crucial for a successful season. Plus, the course allows you to progressively challenge yourself, whether you’re jumping 30cm, novice fences or taking on more advanced combinations. The diverse range of fences on the course provides a fantastic opportunity to work on specific technical questions – such as water jump combinations, ditches and the all-important ability to maintain a rhythm throughout a course.
We’ve something for all abilities! Get in touch if you have any questions or wish to book.
Cross Country Hire opens on Saturday 1st March 2025!
As we take bookings for the upcoming season we thought we would take this opportunity to remind you how it all works! Read frequently asked questions…
What are Lindores Equestrian opening hours?
We are open 7 days a week during daylight hours.
How much does Cross Country Hire cost?
A 60 minute hire is £25 per horse and a 90 minute hire is £30 per horse.
There is no booking fee for using our online system.
How do I check availability and book?
Visit our website for live availability and booking. Click the Cart icon to pay by card.
If you would like to book a 90 minute session OR a group with over 6 horses then please contact us directly!
What if the weather is bad?
Safety is absolutely a priority for us. We have hard standings at take offs and landings at most of our fences. Due to investment in drainage and being on a hill we’re the grass venue that is most likely to remain open.
If we do close the course because of weather and ground conditions. We will contact all affected bookings to reschedule – so please make sure you add your most up to date contact information at time of booking!
How do Lindores maintain the course so well?
The course is fully inspected at the start of the season by former British Eventing Gold Level Course Builder Paul Shipton. Over the years Paul, and also David Wilson – BE Silver Level Course Builder, have trained Team Lindores on how to continually maintain the course for the safety of all.
Our onsite team conduct course checks A LOT throughout the season.
If you see any cross flagged jumps or cordoned off areas the team may be conducting maintenance.
Our ground is rolled wherever it needs it. And take off and landings are raked regularly.
Is the course suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! We have grouped many smaller fences starting from 30cm away from the main area of the course to allow you to build your confidence before tackling the bigger fences! The water complex has spacious run ins and outs for a wee splash and play.
Is the cross country course suitable for intermediate/advanced riders?
Yes, definitely! We frequently welcome Scotlands top eventers like Wills Oakden. His father James Oakden, former British Eventing course designer over the last decade has helped position fences with our Course Builders for progression and more technical lines and challenges.
How do I get to the course?
Park & Tack Up. The course is a 10 minute hack from the farm car park up Lindores Hill – perfect for warming you and your horse up! Click for directions
How many horses are allowed on the course at a time?
Our booking system allows up to 6 horses per hour onto the 85 acre course – equivalent to 9 football pitches each so plenty of space!
We do allow more than 6 horses, please get in touch directly if you wish to book groups.
If you are looking specifically for a quieter time we can also help – just email or call.
Do I need to have an instructor with me?
No, definitely not! The only thing that we do specify is that no one is riding alone, you must be accompanied by someone on horseback or on foot for safety!
I am an instructor, can I hold a cross country clinic with you?
Yes! We would love to have you! Please contact us directly to book in, we offer discounts for 10 or more horses too!
What height are your jumps?
We currently have over 165 jumps ranging from 30-105cm, we have a large water complex with optional jumps in/out of water, upturned boat in the water, 9 ditches, Scotland’s only broken bridge, various steps, logs, roll tops, sharks teeth, skinnies, brushes, technical lines, keyhole, a giant whale, The Wobbleberry… a starter box the list goes on.
What is the parking like?
Spacious! We’re currently extending our car park, it will be almost twice the size! All parking is on hard standing, so no risk of getting stuck! We do ask please that the car park is left tidy and you park considerately. On arrival – the trailer/ lorry park is down to the left as you pass the working hunter field.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Lindores! If you do have any more questions then please get in touch!
Lindores Equestrian is at Blair 2023. The Black family and their team who run Lindores will be ready with big welcoming smiles. Please pop in to meet the Blacks, Katy Irons our General Manager, Hannah Doherty who joined the team in July and Vicky Honeyman who has been working with us since 2021.
Our stand has a design a jump activity for the kids (& adults if you fancy), treats and we’re just keen to catch up and hear your news!
We are inviting all our riders, coaches, camp hosts, loyal parents, pony clubs, suppliers and basically the community that have helped create Lindores into the multi-faceted venue it has grown to become. But we’re also keen to meet new people and businesses so if you’re interested in finding out anything please pop in.
Our stand is on the south side of the Banvie Arena, in between the Land Rover Experience and next to British Eventing stand.
All the best to the riders and their horses who have been training so hard for Blair Castle International Horse Trials – it’s a highlight of the Scottish eventing calendar. We are supporting you and look forward to following your progress.
200 tonnes of arena surface available to buy. Richard is needing our old surface out of our farm shed before the 2023 barley harvest starts. So there is deal to be done for anyone keen to buy.
Arena Mate Harrow For Sale – Cost £1800 brand new in 2019. Link to supplier https://arenamate.co.uk
The outdoor arena surface at Lindores Equestrian was brand new in 2018 and created using Sharp Sand from Angle Park and Martin Collins Clopf Fibre. The surface is good quality and a firm favourite with our Equestrian clients. With the increasing demand for Equestrian camps, training, and clinics, we have made the difficult decision to uplift & sell our surface to allow us to re-do the drainage and lay a new surface using Silica Sand and Martin Collins Clopf Fibre. This will help to ensure our Equestrian clients can ride year-round, all weather and allows us to continue to improve the customer experience at Lindores Equestrian.
