Suzy Smith Racing - Facilities
When I was looking for training premises 15 or so years ago I was completely bowled over by County Stables. It's beautiful location and excellent facilities made my decision to move here very easy. For a start the yard is located at the end of a mile long lane, almost at the top of the South Downs, which means the horses never have to do any roadwork at all to get to the gallops – we just head straight out of the gate!
Then there are the miles of open countryside all around us - we don’t just have to use the gallops to keep the horses fit. The chalk downland itself is wonderful for the horses, it is free-draining, never gets water-logged, and we can take the horses out all year round, whatever the weather. We have miles and miles of open space at our disposal, with plenty of hill work for the horses, which is good for starting them off and getting them fit when they first join us or come back from their holidays. We work them on the natural banks and valleys of the downs, walking, trotting and cantering as much as they need, which helps keep them fresh and interested in what they’re doing.
We have a 1 mile uphill all weather gallop, which is great for building the horses’ fitness and muscle mass and because it’s uphill it takes pressure off the horses’ front legs.
We have 2 miles of grass gallops, which includes the old racecourse itself. This is fantastic for getting the horses used to the feel of the turf and because of its width, we can put the horses in groups, giving them experience of being in amongst it in preparation for their races.
We have an excellent schooling ground with hurdles, baby hurdles, fences and baby fences.
Finally, we have a sand school, which we use for breaking, schooling and teaching the horses to jump using poles.
The stables are completely protected by CCTV cameras.
Then there are the miles of open countryside all around us - we don’t just have to use the gallops to keep the horses fit. The chalk downland itself is wonderful for the horses, it is free-draining, never gets water-logged, and we can take the horses out all year round, whatever the weather. We have miles and miles of open space at our disposal, with plenty of hill work for the horses, which is good for starting them off and getting them fit when they first join us or come back from their holidays. We work them on the natural banks and valleys of the downs, walking, trotting and cantering as much as they need, which helps keep them fresh and interested in what they’re doing.
We have a 1 mile uphill all weather gallop, which is great for building the horses’ fitness and muscle mass and because it’s uphill it takes pressure off the horses’ front legs.
We have 2 miles of grass gallops, which includes the old racecourse itself. This is fantastic for getting the horses used to the feel of the turf and because of its width, we can put the horses in groups, giving them experience of being in amongst it in preparation for their races.
We have an excellent schooling ground with hurdles, baby hurdles, fences and baby fences.
Finally, we have a sand school, which we use for breaking, schooling and teaching the horses to jump using poles.
The stables are completely protected by CCTV cameras.
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Two Horses Upsides on the All-weather Gallop. The Link Gallop.
