Local Star Lucas Set is Muse of Charity Sculpture Trail
Charity, World Horse Welfare, which helps horses both in the UK and across the globe is this year launching a series of horse sculpture trails around the country and local rescue horse, Lucas, is the inspiration behind the trail!
World Horse Welfare Lucas was rescued by the charity as a yearling from a freezing field in January 2013, where he was living with his mother – both of whom were fighting to survive the harsh winter weather. Lucas was nursed back to health and was soon ready to find a new home as a youngster with a bright future ahead of him.
Colleen Macrae wanted to take on a youngster and knew about World Horse Welfare as she’d fundraised for the charity in the past. She said:
“To be honest, it was love at first sight! I was searching for a horse that would be a general allrounder and happy to compete across various disciplines. In order to do that, I wanted a youngster who seemed bright, curious and willing to learn. When I first went to visit Lucas at Hall Farm, we walked a little around the field together, getting to know one another. He was completely obsessed with my gloves, so I took one off and threw it about 20 metres away from me. Much to my surprise, he went trotting off to go and fetch it, and we repeated it several times as if he was a Labrador! After that, I knew he would fit into our family perfectly!
“Lucas’ real enthusiasm lies with his jumping! He’s a very confident ride both Showjumping and Cross Country, with an impressive amount of scope for such a little horse! I’ve always loved Showing and Dressage, so Eventing and Working Hunter has become our middle ground. Lucas and I take part in everything; he’s been very successful in the working hunter ring, always jumping fabulous clear rounds!”
Lucas was live sculpted for the horse trail by acclaimed sculptor, Judy Boyt (who crafted the famous Badminton Horse Trials trophy) in late 2018 and his 11hh sculpture has now been used to create the mould for production of the 40 fibreglass horse trail sculptures.
The 40 horses will be a combination of 11hh sculptures and miniature maquettes standing at around 35cm high, with each one designed and painted by a leading artist, equestrian personality or celebrity.
The World Horse Trail will be on display across the town of Windsor in April before moving on to the King’s Road in Chelsea, London. There will also be a travelling trail which will begin its journey at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May where World Horse Welfare is Charity of the Year and where Lucas will also be competing.
There will also be a miniature trail on display at World Horse Welfare’s Belwade Farm near Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and visitors can see this throughout the Summer months.
Find out more at: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/world-horse-trail
Watch Colleen and Lucas promo film here at Lindores Equestrian in March 2019 on social media:
Lindores Equestrian in Fife, Scotland has been awarded Equestrian Business of the Year 2019 at the horsescotland National Equestrian Awards 2019. The family run business, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, is steadfast in customer care, collaboration and re-investment.
Grant Turnbull, Chair of charity horsescotland said “Lindores Equestrian has supported not only the equestrian community but also Scottish tourism. They have listened to demands and needs and continually develop the business in response. Their focus on customer care is exemplary.”
What makes Lindores unique is that it has evolved by listening to customer feedback and it has kept the same friendly and welcoming family values throughout its 30-year life. Lindores Equestrian has grown and invested on what the domestic equestrian market and the international tourism market demand.
Frances Black who established the business in 1989 was the first person to set up a cross country training course in Central Scotland. Frances built up a strong Scottish customer base and recruited top trainers like Ian Stark OBE to coach local riders.
Now, the business is managed by Anna Black and offers customers all year training and horse holiday experiences for all budgets and standard of horse and rider.
Anna Black said ‘we’re so delighted and honoured that Lindores Equestrian has been recognised by the industry. We put our heart and soul into the business, always innovating and pushing to do better. We cried with delight when the award was announced!’
The business now collaborates with a large number of riding clubs, charities, and qualified instructors to provide safe and friendly kid and adult training camps or day experiences.
Lindores Equestrian has also collaborated with Wilder Ways Adventures to offer people who can ride but don’t have a horse a sporting experience. Riders can book to trek, show jump in the new Olympic sized arena or even experience the jumps in the famous cross country course which is the size of 80 football pitches and has 125 horse jumps. This collaboration has now attracted international guests fly to Scotland and experience Fife.
The appeal of Lindores was only heightened when in January 2019 the business released a clip of world famous mountain biker Danny MacAskill racing top British event rider Louisa Milne Home. The fun and entertaining bike v’s horse video was watched online worldwide and again put Lindores firmly on the map as a place to stay, ride and relax.
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!
Sue Hendry BE Coach – Pace Training Cross Country Training
Date – Tuesday 17th July 2018 (Day / Evening times available)
Sue Hendry Accredited BE u18 national coach and a PC eventing specific coach is offering limited places to her pace training and cross country clinic at Lindores Equestrian, Fife on Tuesday 17th July 2018. Sue will be one of the first instructors running a clinic using the innovative Lindores Optimum Time Trial. Designed to help riders broaden their understanding how pace is affected by: fences, fitness and different terrain. After approximately 45 minutes of pace work she will then be coaching you for a further 45mins on technical challenges throughout the cross country course.
Training
Ideal for riders and horses competing at Pony Club and British Eventing 80, 90 and 100cm.
British Eventing rules allow BE80 riders and above to wear a watch in competitions so Optimum Time watches area available to hire on the day for £5. Lindores have also introduced new fence profiles and lines for 2018 season so take this chance to learn the right approach and style on good ground, with Scotland’s highly qualified and experienced instructor Sue Hendry.
Limited spaces
Groups structured by ability.
Times announced in advance but please let Sue know if you would like an afternoon or evening slot. The training can continue to 9pm due to the lighter nights in June.
LOCATION: Lindores Equestrian, Braeside of Lindores, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6HU
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
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.
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 
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
