For more details of horse riding routes opening in the South East contact info@tollrides.org.uk or call 01622 735 599

Brooksby Melton College, East Midlands
Chailey / Wapsbourne, East Sussex TBA
Brockhampton, Herefordshire TBA
Whitbourne, Herefordshire TBA
Dudmaston, Shropshire TBA
Woolston and Yarlington, South West
Dovers Green, Surrey TBA

More TROT routes

The theme for the seminars was promoting equestrian tourism to Farmers and Landowners who are thinking about diversifying their farm business. Invited speakers included Tourism South East, Lloyds TSB Agriculture, Batcheller Thacker, Natural England and TROT.

The series took place at four leading land based colleges across the South East. Topics included, the issues and economic benefits of developing an equestrian enterprise. How Tourism South East are working to develop the potential for equestrian tourism as a business opportunity for farmers and landowners. Also, the importance of having a good provision of off-road riding in your immediate locality - if livery is being offered as part of your newly diversified farm business.

The success of the seminars generated an increased interest in the TROT Toll Rides scheme and a swathe of new routes are set to open across the South East in Spring 2007.

Pictured are Leo Hickish (Batcheller Thacker) & Jon Rose (Lloyds TSB Agriculture) at Brunch on the Hoof 2

Having ridden since she was a child and having owned her own pony from the age of 11, Gemma is currently bringing on a young horse. A task that has made her fully aware of the importance of having somewhere safe to ride. Her husband is a fairly new convert to riding and recently bought a horse for him, too! They are lucky enough to be able to keep their horses at home in Rolvenden.

TROT were enthused when they discovered that Gemma was keen to promote TROT and its important work in setting up off-road riding routes to help to fill in the gaps left by the UK’s fragmented bridleway network. Indeed, she is currently working with TROT to try to open up a new route close to her home. She is all too aware of how busy Britain’s roads have become, even in rural areas, and is concerned that most drivers seem to be totally unaware that a horse can suddenly spook when going along a road.

Gemma is excited at the success of the TROT scheme and the speed with which the network of routes is being expanded. She is convinced that tollrides are a vital part of the future for off-road riding and is looking forward to her continued involvement in the promotion of tollrides.

www.farmradio.org.uk

Bedgebury Forest – Forestry Operations

Forestry Commission will be undertaking harvesting operations at Bedgebury shortly. They anticipate the work will last three months and FC will try to keep disruption to a minimum. In the interests of safety, it will be necessary to close of some of the rides temporarily, or divert sections of tracks. Notices will be put up to that effect. Riders and carriage drivers will not be restricted from entering the forest during this time, but will be expected to abide by any warning signs posted and keep away from working machinery at all times. Thank you.

Forestry Activities that might affect Riding/Carriage Driving 2007

Listed below are activities that are happening in various forests in the South East. These activities might affect horse riding on the named days. Please check with the Local Agent for more details.