Nick Gauntlett eventing yard visit

Our second Supporter Experience yard visit saw a group of lucky BE members start off their week with a trip to Nick Gauntlett’s yard to take a look behind the scenes and meet some eventing superstars.

Based near Badminton in Chipping Sodbury, Chescombe Farm is the perfect facility for training event horses. The yard boasts enviable facilities, with a 60 x 30 Martin Collins floodlit arena, five furlong gallops, all weather horse walker and much more. There’s no doubt the residents of Chescombe Farm have the highest standards of care, with a hydrotherapy cold water spa and 80 acres of pasture to enjoy.

Nick’s passion for the sport, and love of his horses was evident from the outset and he spoke highly of them and the breeding programme at Chescombe Farm, while his visitors enjoyed a coffee and delicious homemade biscuits, thanks to Nick’s mother.

The day started with an introduction to some of the horses. The SHB (GB) Champion stallion, Party Trick was first up and a clear horse of the future, whom Nick spoke very highly of. With Chilli Morning as his sire, there’s no doubt this horse will make a storm in the eventing world and we’ll be following his career with interest. After meeting some more equine stars, our lucky members were introduced to some of the slightly less experienced members of the yard. There’s not much better than seeing a three month old foal’s head poking over the side of a stable door.

Much to our members’ delight Nick and his wife Amanda showed us some of these stars of the future more closely giving them a leg stretch with their mothers around the arena in the glorious sunshine.

This was followed by Nick schooling one of his horses, a six year old mare, which gave us an insight into his training methods and how he produces young horses.

The day concluded with two training sessions taught under the watchful eye of BE Master Coach and Fellow of the BHS Nick. Both the riders and audience left armed with a number of exercises to practice at home and a wealth of additional knowledge.

We hope our members enjoyed their exclusive experience and left feeling inspired! Thank you to Nick, Amanda and their team for a look behind the scenes at their yard and for starting another Monday off in the best way.

Check out some photos from the day in the gallery below.