74 cross-country courses and schooling venues for hire across the country

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Yesterday 17:04

We’ve put together a list of cross-country course hire venues across England, Scotland and Wales, so that you can find the perfect to take your horse cross-country schooling, whether it’s just for fun or to prepare for the season.

Most cross-country schooling venues, if not open all year, tend to open between February and April as riders start training for the eventing season ahead. Depending on the ground conditions and the time of year, you might prefer to school on grass or on an all-weather surface and we have plenty of examples of both options listed below.

Some courses are available for hire all year round, with the exception of during events and the preparation period, and in extreme weather. We’ve included seasonal opening times where these are available.

One important cross-country schooling tip is to choose a venue to suit your needs – for example, if your horse needs practice in water, opt for a venue with a water complex and splash area – so where the information is available, we’ve listed the fence heights and features of each course to help you find the best option.

If you run a cross-country course or schooling venue for hire that is not listed, please email georgia.guerin@futurenet.com to be added.

Cross-country hire by location

East of England

Includes cross-country course hire in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Berwick Farm XC

Stanford Rivers, Ongar, Essex CM5 9PY
berwickfarmxc.com
01708 688232

Open Apr–Oct
3.5 miles of tracks
Two water features
Three sunken roads
Two woodland areas
More than 100 fences

Blackwater Farm Equestrian Centre

Great Witchingham, Norfolk NR9 5PH
blackwaterfarm.co.uk
01362 688227

Open all year
Fences 60cm–1.15m
Natural copses
Clear natural water complexes
Wide variety of fence types
New fences every season

Ely Eventing Centre

Little Downham, Ely, Cambs CB6 2TY
elyeventing.co.uk
01353 698839

Open all year
Fences 60cm–1.15m
Two water complexes
Ditches and coffin combinations
Sunken road complex and step/bank area

Keysoe International

Keysoe, Beds MK44 2JP
keysoe.com
01234 708400

Arena XC only
Jumps from 70cm
Water, ditches, inclines
Built by Eric Winter

Kimpton Cross-Country Course

Kimpton, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG4 8HB
kimptonxcountry.co.uk

Open all year
More than 45 fences
Fences 50cm–1m+
Annual membership available

Poplar Park

Hollesley, Suffolk IP12 3NA
poplarpark.co.uk
01394 411023

Open all year
Fences 60cm–1.20m
Six full courses
BE standard
No time limit
Updated yearly

Stratford Hills Equestrian Centre

Stratford St Mary, Colchester, Essex CO7 6PA
stratfordhillsequestriancentre.co.uk
01206 322494

Opens February
Fences 35cm–1.10m
50 permanent and temporary jumps
Water jump and splash
Ditches and steps
Jumps in woodland

East Midlands

Includes cross-country course hire in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, South Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

Arkenfield Stables

Gunthorpe, Notts NG14 7ER
arkenfieldstables.co.uk

Fences 50–80cm

Aston-le-Walls

Washbrook Farm, Aston-le-Walls, Daventry, Northants NN11 6RT
astonlewalls.net

Grass schooling Feb–Nov
All-weather available

Aylesford Equine

Shoby, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 3PF
aylesfordequine.com
01664 812834

More than 100 fences
Fences 30cm–1.15m
Mini course (25–60cm)
Additional all-weather arena
No time limit on grass
Water complexes, coffins, sunken roads, drops, banks and skinnies

Barrowcliffe XC

Queniborough, Leicester LE7 3RX
barrowcliffexc.co.uk

Opens early spring
220 fences
40cm–1.20m

Eland Lodge

Ashbourne, Derbys DE6 5HD
elandlodge.com

Open Apr–Sept
Fences 50cm–1.10m
BE standard
All-weather take-off and landings
No time limit

Field Farm

Mumby, Lincs LN13 9SL
field-farm.net

Open all year
Fences 50cm, 70cm and 90cm
Variety of fences

Field Farm Cross Country

Wymeswold, Leics LE12 6ST
fieldfarmcrosscountry.co.uk

Open all year
Fences 70cm–1.10m
BE-standard fences
600m all-weather track with fences
Water, ditches, skinnies, banks and hedges

Golden Valley Equestrian Centre

Alfreton, Derbys DE55 4ES
goldenvalleyequestriancentre.co.uk
07377 853677

Seasonal opening (weather dependent)
Part woodland, part silica fibre surface
Range of fences

Vale View Equestrian Centre

Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 3LX
valeviewequestrian.co.uk

All-weather arena open all year
Fences 60cm–1.10m
BE-standard fences
Natural undulations, water complex with steps of varying heights, several ditches and steps

North East

Includes cross-country course hire in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham and North Yorkshire.

Breckenbrough Helen Bell Equestrian

Thirsk, N Yorks YO7 4EL
helenbellequestrian.co.uk
07708708967

Closed in winter, but access to winter training area
Fences 45cm–1.20m
Three water complexes
Two bank complexes and ditch combinations

Foxberry Chasers

Caldwell, Richmond, N Yorks DL11 7QL
foxberry.co.uk

More than 100 fences
Fences 45cm–1.05m
Full range of fences, plus track with all-weather take-offs
Water complex, steps, corner, arrowhead and coffin
Course regularly updated

Gloucester Lodge Farm

Blyth, Northumbs NE24 3PH
gloucesterlodgefarm.co.uk
01670 353633

Three courses – 60cm, 75cm, 90cm

Little Whittington

Corbridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE19 2LA
littlewhittingtonxc.co.uk

Open Apr–Sept
Fences 50cm–1.20m
Large water complex with ramp in
Steps, corners, skinnies, walls, ditches, logs, brush fences, combinations and tiger traps

Thornton Lodge

Easingwold, N Yorks YO61 3QA
thorntonlodgefarm.co.uk

Open March–Oct
More than 70 fences
Fences 45cm–1.05m
Water complex, two stream crossings and miles of grass

Todburn Equestrian Centre

Longhorsley, Morpeth, Northumb NE65 8QZ
todburnequestriancentre.co.uk

Opens April
Fences 40cm–1.15m

North West

Includes cross-country course hire in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside.

Charity Farm

Wrightington, Lancs WN6 9PP
charityfarm.co.uk

19 fences

Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre

Organsdale Farm, Kelsall, Cheshire CW6 0SR
kelsallhill.co.uk

Opens early spring
Fences 50cm–1.10m
Water complex complete with quarry, ski jump, trakehner, ditches, coffins and steps

Nord Vue

Armathwaite, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 9TN
nordvue.com

Open Apr–Sept
Fences 40–90cm

Somerford Park

Holmes Chapel Road, Congleton CW12 4SW
somerfordpark.co.uk

Grass course open all year
All-weather Dec–March
More than 100 fences
Fences 75cm–1.20m
Designed by Andrew Heffernan
Combinations, drops, arrowheads, ditches, banks, chase fences and large water complex

Scotland

Greenfields of Avondale

Strathaven, South Lanarkshire ML10 6QF
greenfieldsofavondale.co.uk
07775 782296

Open all year
Fences 60cm–1m

Ian Stark Equestrian Centre

Greenhill Farm, Selkirk TD7 4NP
ianstarkequestriancentre.co.uk
01750 20202

Fences 70cm–1m
Built by Ian Stark

Lindores Equestrian

Newburgh, Cupar, Fife KY14 6HU
lindoresxc.co.uk
07736 044058

Open March–Oct
More than 180 fences
Fences 30cm–1.10m
Ditches, spreads, corners, skinnies, uprights, log piles, whisky barrels, ski jumps, combinations, pheasant feeders, trakheners, beehives, brush, cottages, keyhole and 20x20m water complex with run ins, run outs, steps, an upturned boat and a jump into water

Loch Lomond Pony Trekking

Tullichewan Farm, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire G83 8QY
lomond-ponytreks.co.uk
07745 277320

Open all year
Fences 15cm–1m
Steps, logs, ski jumps, corners, skinnies, tyres, barrels and ditches

Totley Wells

Winchburgh, West Lothian EH52 6QJ
totleywells.com

Open all year
31 fences
Fences 40cm–1m
Skinnies, banks, ditches, water splash, barrels, pigeon feeders, sharks teeth and tiger traps

Wilder Ways

Glen Kerran Farm, Southend, Argyll PA28 6PJ
wilderways.scot

Open Apr–Sept
25 fences
Fences 40cm–1m

South East

Includes cross-country course hire in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Bonfleur Cross-Country Course

Maidstone, Kent ME17 4BD
bonfleurcrosscountrycourse.co.uk
07976138120

Opens March
Fences 45cm–1.05m
More than 120 fences
Water complex, ditches, banks, coffins, trakheners and combinations

Boomerang Stables

Chilton Foliat, Hungerford, Berks RG17 0TW
boomerangstables.co.uk
07711 499596

Open all year
Fences 30cm to BE Intermediate-plus
Water, ditches, steps, skinnies and spooky questions
Fences moved regularly

Chilham Park

Chilham Castle Estate, Canterbury, Kent CT4 8DB
chilhampark.co.uk
01227 730811

Chiltern Cross-Country

Woodcote, Oxfordshire RG8 0PH
chilternxc.co.uk
07767 370148

Open Feb–Nov
Fences 60cm–1m
Extensive water complex
Banks, steps and ditches

Coombelands Equestrian

Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1BQ
coombelandsequestrian.com
07990 054863

Opens March
Fences 70cm–1.10m
Area with smaller arena-type fences for warm-up, lead-rein and small ponies
More than 100 fences

Fair Oak

Rogate, Petersfield GU31 5HR
fair-oak.co.uk

Open March–Oct
Wide range of fences

Gasston Stables

Headley, Epsom, Surrey KT18 6DY
gasstonstables.co.uk
07746 815796

Opens in spring
40cm–1.50m
More than 150 fences
Water complex, ditches, skinnies and steps
Woodland area

Hickstead Showground

The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead BN6 9HS
hicksteadschooling.co.uk

All-weather arenas open Oct–Apr
Fences 60cm–1.10m and advanced
Water complex with steps
Step complex ranging from novice to advanced
Permanent ditches and banks

Hurstwood Farm

High Hurstwood, East Sussex TN22 4AN
equestriantrainingcentre.co.uk

Fences 40cm–1.15m
Water complex
Separate mini course

Littleton Manor Equestrian

Littleton Manor Farm, Reigate Heath RH2 8QZ
lmeq.com
07771 600033

Open all year
150 fences beginner to intermediate
Water complex, coffin, steps, sunken road, bank, skinnies and corners

Lockskinners Equestrian

Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7ND
lockskinners.com

Open May–Oct
Technical course of 150 fences (70cm–1.35m)
Introductory course of 161 fences (40cm–1m)
Mini course (up to 40cm)

Lodge Farm

Matfield, Tonbridge TN12 7ET
lodgefarmcrosscountry.co.uk

Opens March
More than 90 fences
Fences 60cm–1.10m
Ditches, corners, arrowheads, skinnies and steps
Lots of combinations and two water complexes

Lyneham Heath Equestrian

Lyneham Heath, Nr Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 6QQ
lynehamheathequestrian.co.uk

All-weather loop open all year
Grass opens approx end of April
Fences 70cm–intermediate
Mini fences (up to 60cm) in separate field
More than 200 fences

MK Equestrian Centre

Hanslope, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK19 7HQ
mpbeesleyandson.com
07810 120498

More than 200 fences
Fences 60cm–1.10m
BE-standard course
Two water complexes, range of steps, banks and ditches
Two additional mini courses (15–60cm)

Munstead

Godalming, Surrey GU7 1UN
munsteadhorsetrials.com

Open all year
70cm–1m

Nurstead Court

Meopham, Kent DA13 9AD
nursteadcourt.co.uk
07957 495146

BE-standard course

Parwood Equestrian Centre

Normandy, Guildford, Surrey GU3 2JE
parwood.co.uk

Open Apr–Oct (Tues–Sun)
Fences 50cm–1.15m

Prime Ponies

Bridgehill Farm, Horsham, W Sussex RH12 4RN
prime-ponies.co.uk
07853 081669

Opens May
35 fences
Fences 20–80cm

Snowball Farm

Burnham, Bucks SL1 8EH
snowballfarm.co.uk
01628 666222

Open for a limited time in spring
Fences 70cm–1m
Variety of fences, including water complex

Swalcliffe Park Equestrian

Swalcliffe, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5EX
swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk
01295 780206

Open all year
Fences up to 1.10m
Mini fences (30–60cm) in separate field
More than 150 fences
Ditches, sunken roads and water complexes

Tweseldown Racecourse

Church Crookham, Fleet, Hants GU52 8DY
tweseldown.co.uk

Open all year
40cm to BE Intermediate (Jan–May)
40cm–1m (May–Dec)

Wakes End

Milton Keynes, Bucks MK17 9FB
wakesendfarm.co.uk

Fences 60cm–1m

Wheatlands Farm

Finchampstead, Berks RG40 4LZ
wheatlandsfarm.com
0118 9731918

Open early spring to late Sept
More than 140 fences
Fences 30cm–1m
Two waters, two banks, ditches and steps

South West

Includes cross-country course hire in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire.

Ace Cross-Country

Twyning, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 6DA
acecrosscountry.co.uk

Main course and separate mini course
Water complex

Bicton Arena

East Burdleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon EX9 7BL
bicton-arena.co.uk
01395 441162

Course hire selected days only
Arena XC hire (70cm–1m)

Castle Farm

Wickwar, Glos GL12 8NS
castlefarmliverycrosscountry.com

Open Apr–Oct
Fences 40–90cm

Deer Park Cross Country

Brockhampton, Glos GL54 5SR
deerparkcrosscountry.co.uk
07964 660702

Open all year
Fences 45cm–1.05m
More than 100 fences
No time limit

Everleigh Equestrian

Quickset Stables, Everleigh, Marlborough, Wilts SN8 3EU
everleigh-equestrian.co.uk
07990 571463

More than 35 fences
Suited to novice riders and young horses

Larkhill Eventing

Knighton Down, Larkhill, Wilts SP48QT
larkhilleventing.com

Opens specific dates
Fences 60cm–1.10m
BE standards

Oxstalls Cross-Country

Stroud, Glos GL6 8HZ
oxstallsxc.co.uk

50cm–1.20m
BE standard fences
Waters, steps, banks and drops
Range of ditches
Decorated fences
Regularly updated
Separate mini course

Pontispool

Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset TA4 1BH
pontispool.co.uk
01823 461196

Grass schooling area open from Feb
All-weather open Nov–Mar
More than 200 fences
Fences 70cm–1.15m (from 40cm at certain times of year)
All-weather take offs and landings at permanent fences
Three water complexes and two quarry complexes

Rectory Farm

Duntisbourne Abbots, Cirencester, Glos GL7 7JW

rectoryfarm.com
07824759655

Open selected dates
Fences 70–90cm
Steps, ditch, water, corners and skinnies

Rein & Shine Equestrian Centre

Buryhill Farm, Braydon, Wilts SN5 0AD
reinandshine.co.uk
01666 860068

Opens in spring
Fences 30cm–1m
Variety of fences

Rosamund Green Farm

Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4JG
teamdumas.co.uk
07511078285

Opens in spring
Fences BE100–5*
More than 350 fences
Two water complexes
All-weather take offs and landings

Stockland Lovell

Stockland Lovell Manor, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 1JJ
stocklandlovell.com
01278 652224

Open 10 months of the year
Fences 50cm–1m
More than 100 fences
Two water complexes
All-weather take offs and landings
No time limit
New fences each year

Stour

Spetisbury, Blandford, Dorset DT11 9EE
stourxc.co.uk

Open March–Oct
38 fences, including mini course
Fences 30cm–1m
Logs, banks, ditches, water complexes and brushes

Wales

Marian Bach Equestrian Centre

Babell, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 8PZ
marianbach.co.uk

No time limit

Mostyn Farm Ride and Cross Country

Wern Home Farm, Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9AR
mostynfarmride.co.uk
07765 402738

Open all year
9km farm ride with more than 100 fences
Built by BE course builder
Ditches, trakehners, water, banks, drops, steps, skinnies and road crossing

West Midlands

Includes cross-country course hire in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the metropolitan county of West Midlands.

Lincomb Equestrian

Lincomb, Nr Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs DY13 9RB
crosscountrycourse.co.uk
07986200777

More than 100 jumps on grass
Arena XC available
Fences 45cm–1.05m
Built by BE Gold level course builder

Radfords Equestrian

Lower House Farm, Llanymynech SY22 6LG
radfords-equestrian.co.uk
01691 831523

Open Apr–Oct
Fences 30cm–1m
Water features, ditches, steps and banks
Additional arena XC hire available

Yorkshire and the Humber

Includes cross-country course hire in East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

Epworth Equestrian

Epworth, Doncaster, Lincs DN9 1LQ
epworthequestrian.co.uk
01427 872293

Fences 70cm–1m
2 mile course with 21 fences (70/80/90cm/1m)
Additional single fences

Hopton Horse Centre

Mount Pleasant Farm, Mirfield, W Yorks WF14 8EH
hoptonhorsecentre.co.uk

Open all year
All weather
Mini course

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Tom McEwen cross-country schooling at Oxstalls on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Benjamin Bounce. Credit: Jess Photography