Welcome

Welcome to Powderham Castle Horse Trials

The natural splendour splendour of the beautiful parkland, far reaching views to the River Exe and historic backdrop of PowderhamCastle are poised to welcome eventers to the challenge of the exciting new fences set in the deer park.

To design three completely new courses and not be drawn to where old fences still stand, has presented a formidable task for our designers, Eric Winter and Simon Bere over the last 6 months.  With the plan on paper, it was now the turn of David Evans and his Team to translate the designers’ ideas into reality.  They spent three weeks in October to build the main permanent fences for the three courses.

The work that has been carried out is:

·         New water complex 

·         3 fences over the main drainage ditch - coffin ditch
3 trakheners with landings and take-offs, stoned and grass

·         2 x steps down for all 3 courses

·         Creating several routes in the sandpit nearest to the Estuary

·         Bridging the stream which is the outflow from the lake

·         Building up the dam at the head of the lake to allow horses to cross in both directions

·         Repair the ground in several areas

·         Removal of several old fences

·         Removal of tree stumps

•   Cleaning out the drainage ditch, which has drained the adjoining land.

In addition to timber for facing the steps and ditches they have put in:

• 665 tons of of recycled 75mm stone
• 171 tons of of 22mm scalpings to dust

The stage is now set for the next phase in January for the portables to be positioned and the semi-permanent fences to be built.

Concurrent with the course building, the administration team have been approaching new sponsors and advertisers with trade stand enquiries piling up.  We are also very pleased that many of our original sponsors are again joining our Title Sponsor - Clydesdale Bank plc.

We are delighted to receive the support and encouragement from Lord and Lady Devon and all the staff at Powderham in these months of preparation.

  We look forward to welcoming everyone to
the magnificent Powderham Castle Horse Trials in April 2008