We are OPEN and you can book instantly online after reading this statement. We’re aligning with the Scottish Governments Outdoor Sport and Leisure Activity Rules as an outdoor sports facility operator. We have an appointed COVID Officer who has undertaken the necessary risk assessments.
It’s extremely important that customers understand the latest rules to keep yourself and our team safe. We have highlighted the key rules for our sports facility below. You can also read the latest equestrian industry’s guidance from horsescotland.
Latest Covid-19 guidance highlights:
Scotland moved out of the levels system on Monday 9th August
Any remaining government social distancing rules should be adhered too
We recommend anyone visiting for a residential camp at Lindores take a lateral flow test before coming – Order here
NO CONTACT OUTDOOR VENUE: We now have a simple and instant online booking form. We are proud to be a paperless and cashless venue. There is no longer a requirement to visit reception to complete a Disclaimer Form and pay cash on arrival, this is done online before you arrive.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Please at all times continue to practice Government recommendations on social distancing, and respect guests and staff who which to take additional precautions.
PARKING
In 2020 we built a new hardstanding overflow car park below the working hunter grass paddock. Please attempt to park minimum 5 metres apart. There is now plenty of space to allow for this.
Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times (we’re lambing soon so need to protect our flock)
Hourly time slots available
Use hand sanitizer provided at any closed gateway
Text Anna on 07736 044 058 when you have started and finished your hack with the message ‘FULL NAME – STARTING HACK’ and at the end ‘FULL NAME – ENDING HACK’
Single riders must have someone responsible on foot for safety
Hourly time slots must be adhered too
Use hand sanitizer provided at any closed gateway
Back protectors must be worn in line with British Regulations
Hire available with or without instruction
HORSE VACCINATIONS
Horses to be fully vaccinated up to one year. Don’t forget you must travel with your horses passport.
RIDING
Wear up to standard safety equipment. Skull cap and back protector in line with British Regulations is mandatory when jumping on the cross country course. Use your own equipment for horse and rider. Respect the views and opinions of other members. Maintain social distancing at all times. Ride within your capabilities and current horse and rider fitness levels.
INSTRUCTORS & COACHES
Qualified instructors must have their own public liability insurance.
NEW ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM IS EASY AND QUICK. Check availability, book and pay instantly. Riders no longer have to sign a Disclaimer Form at reception on arrival. Your disclaimer is part of your online booking process. YAY! The person booking online accepts liability for all named riders and should share the Terms and Conditions with their group in advance of training so everyone know the rules. Instructors are welcome to book facilities using the new online system as well. If you experience any difficulty with our new booking system please tell us! We’ll sort it quickly for you.
YOUR BOOKED TIME
Arrive 15 minutes in advance of your start time. Try and not linger after training is finished. If you are running late please let Anna know in advance on 07736 044 058.
PAYMENT
Payment for facility hire is now all online. Pay by credit or debit card. Our venue is cashless.
TOILETS
Will be cleaned regularly. Please only use these facilities if absolutely necessary.
IF YOU FALL AND NEED ASSISTANCE
Call Anna on 07736044058 and someone in PPE will come to you. In the event of a bad accident contact emergency services immediately. Location details on facility gates.
IN SUMMARY
We are delighted to be opening again and hope these guidelines make you feel safe and protected when visiting our facility
Do not travel if you have symptoms of Covid-19
Do not travel if you have been with someone diagnosed in the last 14 days
Adhere to the signage on site
Use the hand sanitizers available at every gateway
Call Anna if you have any questions, we’re still friendly and very happy to help!
Mental Health Awareness Week, 18-24 May 2020, sees the launch of Riders Minds. A bespoke, comprehensive, online resource dedicated to supporting and improving the mental health of horse riders, across all levels.
Founded by 5* event rider Matthew Wright and his wife Victoria. Matthew has openly shared his own mental ill health struggles.
Matthew said, “The objective of Riders Minds is to remove the stigma of speaking out by increasing mental health awareness, understanding, and confidence amongst all riders. Its helpful from grassroots riders through to professional riders.
“Having been in a few dark places myself in the past we wanted to give the wider equestrian community somewhere to get help and someone to talk to. By raising the profile of mental health and well-being people will realise they are not alone and that it is okay not to be okay.”
Free Confidential Helpline, 24/7
Helpline: 0300 102 1540
In addition to equipping individuals with skills for good mental health and managing life’s ups and downs. Riders Minds also offers a free confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, sponsored by TheraPlate.
Riders Minds has been generously sponsored by TheraPlate, Baileys Horse Feeds, Bates Saddles, The British Grooms Association, The Equestrian Employers Association and Caunton Mannor Stud.
The project is supported by British Equestrian and recognised by British Dressage, British Showjumping, British Eventing, the British Horse Society, the Pony Club and Horsescotland.
Notes:
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place 18-24 May 2020. More information can be found at www.mentalhealth.org.uk. Riders Minds is a signatory of the Sports and Recreation Alliance Mental Health Charter. In order to sign up to the charter the SLA ask their signatories to produce an action plan to demonstrate how they are using the power of sport to end the stigma around mental health.
Congratulations to Polly Quaile aged 14 who is the 2020 winner!
The judges at Lindores Equestrian were overwhelmed with all the design entries for this years competition. We have to congratulate everyone who made the effort to create and send in such impressive designs. The standard of concepts are getting better and better every year which is making choosing one winner harder and harder for Lindores Equestrian.
Why did the Whale win?
The judges loved Polly’s design for a number of reasons. The concept with ‘no more plastic’ grafitti’d on a whale is extremely important message to save the beautiful planet we live in. We’ve never seen a jump design like it and we’re 100% behind what it says! The design has a very safe and forgiving profile for a training facility like Lindores. The design also has three jumping heights that can be wide enough to comply with British Eventing standards. The whale concept very cleverly allows for the 50cm height to be in the middle which we also loved for training.
Who came close second?
Competitions don’t normally tell everyone who came second – but this year we wanted to share a design that gave us the biggest laugh. We liaised closely with our British Eventing Course Builder on this design but sadly it just didn’t tick as many boxes as The Whale. So well done to Caroline Wilson and Frances Ferguson with their ‘Brave Pants and Posh Pants’ design. Inspired by the Equiteam Confidence Camps that are hosted here at Lindores. ‘Brave Pants’ was a strong re-occuring theme that clearly means a lot to many riders. Well done everyone!
Greta Thunberg inspires Polly Quaile
Polly Quaile the winner of this years competition is a member of Strathblane Pony Club and has a 15.1hh Irish Sportshorse called Noah. Polly learnt to ride in her local riding school from age 4 but she is also a keen sailor. She often sails with her dad on the west coast. She said she feels strongly about plastic pollution and she see’s plastic on the beaches and it makes her sad. At the time of this competition Greta Thunberg was sailing across the Atlantic and after a bit of research Polly realised there was no whale cross country jump in existence. Polly said,
‘I want to make a change and just like Greta I want to raise awareness of plastic pollution. This idea was a nice way to do it’
When Equestrian Manager Anna Black announced to Polly that she was this years winner Anna asked if there was anything the equestrian industry could do to help tackle plastic pollution and she raised a very clear point. Polly said:
I think it’s the small things, the industry could think about recycling feed tubs and doing their bit.
We both hope that this jump at Lindores Equestrian will help raise awareness and generate idea’s on how the equestrian industry could reduce plastic pollution.
What’s Next?
The whale design is incredibly large scale and and it requires a 6metre long tree that is 1 metre wide. A huge amount of resource and effort was taken to find the perfect tree. The team at Lindores sustainably sourced a tree from the local town, Cupar. We will be telling the story of the tree and its journey to becoming a whale in future blogs.
The Whale will be carved and painted over the coming weeks by our British Eventing course builder. We will invite the winner of the competition to open the fence and be the first rider to jump it. After that, everyone is welcome to jump ‘The Whale’ at Lindores Equestrian training venue in Fife which opens 1st March 2020 and is open 7 days a week during daylight hours.
Until then, stay connected – and think about what you could do to reduce plastic pollution!
Top Christmas gift ideas for the equestrian who has everything
We’ve all got that one friend or partner who has everything or is just really hard to buy Christmas gifts for. So we’ve compiled a list of Christmas gifts to shorten your search time and still make them smile!
A horsey or dog photoshoot – Who doesn’t love having photos of their precious four legged friend to hang on the walls at home and enjoy all year. If you’re looking for a special package have a look at Suzanne Black Photography, who is based here at Lindores. Suzanne often has some cracking Christmas gift offers on her Facebook page. https://www.suzanneblackphotography.co.uk/pet-portraits/
Tickets for an event – HOYS, Olympia, Badminton, Blair, RHS the list is endless. There are so many fantastic equestrian events out there to choose from. You’ll benefit from early bird prices if you book them now!
Subscription to a magazine – there is nothing a horse addict loves more than sitting down with a cuppa, some biscuits and a good horsey mag.
Massage/beauty treatments – Let’s be honest horse owners often spend a lot of time and money pampering their horses, and forget about themselves.
SOCKS – you can never go wrong with socks.
A weekend away – escape from the stresses of life and enjoy 5 star ultimate luxury for couples. Book a 2 night break in The Arches – one of the most popular cottage breaks in the UK. Don’t forget to check the equine events schedule before you book, you don’t want to clash with an important outing. https://www.lindores.co.uk/the-arches/
Gift vouchers for their favourite training venue – Lindores Equestrian Vouchers are the perfect gift because they are so flexible. They can be used anytime in 2020 towards hiring our award winning cross country course, arena, working hunter jumps on grass, campsite, bunkroom and stables. Buy your voucher today – https://lindores-xc.onyx-sites.io/gift-vouchers/
8. If you’re looking for an extra special Christmas package then contact us for bespoke Lindores – Stay Ride Relax horse holiday package for 2020. Read this old blog for inspiration…
