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
by Lindores Cross Country | Apr 1, 2017 | Camps
Camp Date: 17-19th March 2017 Location: Lindores Cross Country
Thank you Anna & Team Lindores for an amazing inaugural Kick ON Camp!
A year ago I had a wee idea of pooling 25 years of trainings and skill sets, roping in my 2 favourite trainers and finding a camp venue for some special clients to get their mojo back for eventing. When I heard about The Bothy at Lindores and the vast 85 acre xc I knew that HAD to be it. Getting Avril Johnston, Jen Burnett, Lindores & I to find a mutual weekend took some doing but we did it!
The Camp filled in under 22 mins and we had a wait list of 25. Some last
minute horse injuries meant a couple of very special riders had a life changing weekend.
We had 27 riders spanning 4 decades in age and making come backs from horse injury, rider neck or spinal fracture, post baby, post meltdown or just a decade off! I assembled a legendary A Team of Top trainers Avril Johnston & Jen Burnett, epic Stable Manager Kirsty Morton of Epona Animal Services & 1st Aider Amanda Kilgour (thankfully not required!).
I was very fortunate to have the brilliant Bothy Wingman Karen Robertson by my side from 7am til 10pm each day serving meals, cheeky wee subliminal confidence NLP sessions and amazing rider support. If I’d squeezed in an Integrated Rider Session I’d’ve used my entire skill set- i did Active Stretch sessions in the Bothy, some magic fascial release on a few horses, some “band aid” Rolfing on some rider muscle pulls, a wee bit of cranial release and even a quick look at Anna’s knee.
My hobby is PK’s Positive Nutrition & I had a ball feeding 34 folk all weekend with Karen’s never ending help. All diets catered for! We had a fantastic Friday night Kick On Camp Bake Off with 20 entries – thank you Judges Emma Thompson, Anna Black & Nicola Ingram of Nicola’s Homebakes… or Clarissa, Mary Berry & Nigella! Saturday evening was a wee goal setting session and advice from the trainers on what’s next.
The Bothy fed confidence & switched anxiety to excitement, the XC brought back the BEST grins I’ve ever seen. Riders returning for the 1st time xc after a neck or spine fracture or horses being off for up to two years coming back to Karen & i in the Bothy was just magical. And for one very VERY special Wobbleberry… jumping her first EVER xc jump on the Saturday… to the middle barrels on the Sunday- Avril & Jen you are Simply The BEST!
Anna offered me a lift up to see the xc on Sunday and – in front of a room full of riders – I was heard to say, No … the first time I see the xc up there will be on my horse. Bring on 50 I say.
Thank you SO much to my A team – to see Facebook so full of so many happy posts made all the organising (& cooking!) worth it. Massive thanks to Sue Heard Photography for these pics!
Bring on Season ’17!
Kick ON Camp Host: Pauline Kidd
www.lindoresxc.co.uk
www.lindoreslodge.co.uk
www.paulinekidd.com
www.eponaequineservices.co.uk
Instructor Jennifer Burnett BHSII
A bit about Lindores Cross Country and Lindores Lodge…
Lindores Cross Country nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 is fast becoming Scotland’s leading camp venue. The facility has undergone significant investment and is able to offer stabling, accommodation and equestrian facilities for all levels of budget and ability.
The venue offers grass showjumping paddocks, an outdoor sand school and the jewel in the crown is the established and impressive cross country training facility over 85 acres with 125 fences of all heights and styles. The venue also has 30 safe and solid stables, locked tack-room, a campsite, hook ups, showers, toilets and a very sociable and friendly Bothy with kitchen, log burning stove, benches and sofas.
Lindores Lodge luxury accommodation is also on site and offers riders the opportunity to stay an architecturally designed and tasteful space. Its a relaxing rural retreat with hot tub and stunning countryside views. Hugely popular for horse holidays in Scotland.
For updates follow:
Lindores XC on Facebook and Twitter
Lindores Lodge on Facebook and Twitter.
by Lindores Cross Country | Mar 8, 2017 | Course design
Lindores Cross Country, nominated as Equestrian Business of the Year 2017 by HorseScotland is the location of Scotland’s newest and most iconic Danny MacAskill hay bale cross country fence.
It is a phenomenal and unique horse jump that was inspired by Danny MacAskills hay bale trick from Red Bull’s – ‘Wee Day Out’ filmed at Lindores, Fife.
In 2016 the globally recognised mountain biker attempted one of his most creative and hardest stunts ever. Danny cycled down a grass field, caught up with a rolling bale, mounted and dismounted it on his bike all while the bale was still gaining momentum rolling down the hill. The extremely dangerous and brave the stunt was branded ‘The hay bale‘ and has had over 7m hits online.
Anna Black who manages Lindores Cross Country where the filming took place was incredibly inspired by Danny’s 3 days of persistence, skill, and creativity. Anna regularly see’s such qualities in the horse riders that camp, train and holiday at Lindores. Danny however has taken his determination to another level – he would never give up until he got the stunt he so desperately visualised.
Lindores Cross Country now have a horse jump to remind all sportspersons that when you put your mind to a challenge anything is possible.
The creator behind this iconic horse jump is British Eventing Course Builder David Wilson. David designed and built the phenomenal 6metre high structure. It is a double sided palisade jump with keyhole which allows horses to jump the fence in both directions. The jump is 60cm downhill and 95cm uphill. At 3m width it makes it suitable for most levels of riders.
The ring of wood that creates the surround is made up from 72 pieces of 200mm x 45mm, these are cut at 7.5 degrees on either end. They were then glued and screwed, half lapping the 3 layers to create a strong laminating effect. It had to be left in 2 parts for transport and handling reasons.
The base sits on recycled telegraph poles, which have been treated with creosote which will help to protect against the wood rotting in the future. The rest of the frame is for solid stability to hold the large 4m circle.
The bike and rider are also made from wood and painted to recreate the effect of the original picture.
Once on site the 2 parts of the circle could be reunited. The completed jump was then dug into the hill side to leave it standing level, and fixed to the ground, thus it is ready to jump.
Set overlooking stunning countryside views of Perthshire, Angus and Fife it really is breathtaking.
On the 8th of March Danny MacAskill and one of Scotlands top eventing riders Louisa Milne Home will officially open the fence and spend the day filming stunts over many of the 125 British Eventing standard fences and water complex at Lindores Cross Country. Louisa has been training at Lindores since it opened in 1989 and her training has been key to her success. Louisa has been long listed for the British Europeans. She and her horse King Eider were one of only 6 horses that completed Badminton and Burghley in 2014 and the aforementioned famous horse King Eider who started learning cross country at Lindores is aiming for Badminton again this year.
During the filming on the 8th March – Danny isn’t getting an easy ride he will be challenged to ride Scotland’s first pace and fitness training facility which has been designed to aid horses for events but we’ll soon see if Danny can keep the pace of a horse!
At the end of the day Danny will replicate the experience the horse riders get – and he will stay in luxurious Lindores Lodge for a well deserved soak in the hot tub!
www.lindoreslodge.co.uk
We look forward to releasing the footage which is sure to be entertaining!
by Lindores Cross Country | Feb 19, 2017 | Award
Scottish Field EQy Magazine
In 2015, Scottish Field EQy Magazine voted Lindores Cross Country the 9th best hack in Scotland. That’s quite a claim considering the breathtaking landscapes and scenery we have in this fine country of ours.
Hacking is one of the most relaxing past times for both rider and horse and its a great way to capture fresh air, get outdoors and experience some of Scotland.
Scottish Field’s article about the best hacks in Scotland came with a warning that it will have you ‘longing to saddle up and head for the hills, forest and beach’. Its safe to say it did just that!
Riding clubs, livery yards and private owners of horses that hack have a great advantage in life. Horses and riders that hack get to see parts of Scotland that are off the beaten track. They witness wildlife that wouldn’t normally be seen and wildlife in its natural habitat. They bear victim to changes in weather that can often leaving you singing hits from The Sound of Music but alternatively leave you screaming in pain because you’re so numb you can’t feel your jelly legs.
Hacking is a chance to ride with friends and catch up on their news. It’s a moment in time for ponies to be together because they are ‘best friends’ – according to their riders! Hacking is almost an untapped relaxation resource. To all the busy mums and dads and all the kids desperate to compete just remember the value a hack can add in your mental state and connection with the land.
Lindores Lodge Horse Holidays understand the value of a good hack and offer customers hacking off road from the doorstep. Lindores like anywhere has the good weather, it has the bad weather, it has the muddy puddles and it has the dry scorching summers. Regardless of the changing elements one thing doesn’t change – and that is the 360 degree views of breathtaking Fife, Angus and Perthshire countryside. Thank you for the award Scottish Field!
