Embrace the Games

Equestrian Centre Gets Ready for Olympic Riders

Somerford Park Farm owners are saddled up and ready to go with plans to attract Olympic Games riders to their Somerford Heath equestrian facility.

Cheshire East Council has approved the building of 20 stables that would allow the premises to operate as an Olympic training base and would also be used by pony clubs.

Work has recently started on a training camp comprising 52 stables for visiting teams, a new arena, pavilion and chalet accommodation. 

The organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games picked Somerford Park Farm as a training venue in March 2008 and it was used by the Brazilian team before the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Several international riders are based at the stables including Rachel Bayliss, Amelia King and Jessica Dunn who have all represented England. 

A spokesman for the equestrian facility said last week “We applied for planning permission to allow more pony club camps. We were in the book of Olympic training venues but we have yet to receive any applications from teams to train here”.

The current centre includes a livery for 133 horses, grazing, seven arenas for schooling, cross country schooling, a competition cross country course, an indoor riding school, a vets practice and pony club camps.

Congleton Chronicle - 11th August 2011

One year to go to the greatest show on earth

The countdown has begun in earnest: today it's just one year to go to London 2012. And from tomorrow we'll be counting down days, not years, to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.

With just one year to go to London 2012, Jonathan Edwards goes behind the scenes to see preparations for some of the special events marking the day. You can view the video here.

Did you know: 
As well as the world's greatest athletes, we'll be welcoming the world's best artists to the UK for the London 2012 Festival. Leona Lewis, Anish Kapoor and Cate Blanchett are just three of those involved! Find out more here.

Click here to view the press release regarding the Northwest role in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.