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British team use Easton College in gold medal chase

Riders from the British para-equestrian dressage team are to train at Easton College, near Norwich, for three days before going for gold at the World Equestrian games in Kentucky this autumn.

The visit will include a special evening event where hundreds of spectators have snapped up free seats to watch the team perform its dressage-to-music routine at the TMS client’s £5m indoor arena which opened last year.

“It’s a real honour for Easton College that the team are to train here and we’re excited that so many people will have a unique opportunity to see them in action,” said Hilary Francois, the college’s equestrian centre and events manager.

“It is also a great boost to our ambitions to open up the new centre to everyone and my personal goal to promote para-riding across the region. Norfolk’s top international para-equestrian rider Susi Rogers-Hartley works closely with us and is a great supporter of the centre and we want to help even more of these courageous people pursue riding and particularly dressage opportunities. All they have to do is get in touch.”

She said the British squad had chosen Easton because of the quality of the new equestrian centre and the college’s close links with David Hunter, Norfolk-based performance manager for GB para-equestrian dressage, and coach Michel Assouline,

The squad is preparing to join Team GBR competing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky this autumn. The para-dressage phase will run October 5-9.

More information: Hilary Fracois 01603 731577, email hfrancois@easton-college.ac.uk.