Towerlands is giving up on horses!!

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Where will I go to watch showjumping now??

[Alouiseg]

That's a shame! I guess the glory days were over years ago there. The management was dreadful in the 80's and nineties, very behind the times. I rather hoped that the new owners would revitalize it. They've got a wasted equine hydrotherapy pool there which has been defunct for years. A terrible waste.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

It does always seem so under used, barely any spectators for international competitions! But they have so many equine events over the year, I can't believe they're stopping! They never seemed to put their heart into the horse side though, nothing was ever advertised, and they would change things at the last moment! We turned up for the annual children in need event last year, to find that it had been replaced with an abba tribute show! Apparently Tim Gredley is giving up show jumping as well! It's a crying shame.

[Butkin]

Hi Saggy have you a link to the story about Towerlands because I'd not heard about this and they are just about to start improving some of their rings.

We compete there quite regularly ie Eastern Connemara Show, BSPS Area 15 show, PUK Spring Show,etc. and absolutely love it.

It has fabulous outside rings on a surface as well as their famous indoor ring.

It would be a tragedy for the East of England if they gave up.

I know that Tim is handing over his horses because he is going to take over running UNEX property company from his father, Bill. However he loves the sport so I'd be suprised if he wants to pull out all together and they may not get planning permission that easily for anything else.

I look forward to hearing your story.

[Loshad]

butkin, have a look at the horse and hound page, it was on the news section of the main website there, as well as having been discussed in the forums.

[Butkin]

Sorry Loshad I must be being thick but I can't find it. Obviously lots of coverage of Tim Gredley giving up his show jumpers but that is surely a good thing as he'll be concentrating on making Towerlands a going concern.

I can only find references to them improving their indoor school (which doesn't give the impression they are shuting) and that PUK are booked in for the Winter Champs next March.

Can you possibly put me up a link as it would be depressing if it closed.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

It's in the latest horse and hound in the showjumping section. I read it on Thursday. My friend is very into SJ and knows them all personally, going round the country to watch and she reckons Tim is giving up. It's there in black and White that they are stopping at Towerlands, apparently the collecting ring restaurant and main ring are going to be knocked into one big venue as there is no money in horses.

[DressageNut]

What a shame! Towerlands is just down the road from us, and there is a lack of venues with top quality facilities like that in the area...

Having said that they gave up running affiliated dressage competitions there a while ago because we are "too demanding"

[anothernewname09]

Just to let you all know if you havn't heard. Equestrian Events have reached an agreement with Gredley so Towerlands will be continuing with shows.

Sorry to re dig thread especially if you all knew that anyway!

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

That's fantastic. Does that mean there will still be international jumping??

[Santassnowyoldclothcatpuss]

I've just met up with someone who works at Towerlands. Apparently showjumping will be back! YAY!!!

[CalamityKate]

Towerlands car park in winter is the Coldest Place In The World. Fact.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Lol! You should try my back garden! At least a mile of completely flat farmland in every direction, the sea within a mile or two... Rain blows sideways and last cold spell, my car froze to the ground!

[CalamityKate]

Blimey! That IS cold!