EQUINE students at an Eden college are gearing up for a spring of showjumping with a new series of grass roots competitions.

Newton Rigg's new Spring Series, open to all, gets under way as soon as the evenings begin to lighten, allowing use of the recently-upgraded outdoor arena, as well as the extended indoor arena.

The college plans to invest in a new set of top quality fences, enabling riders and their horses to face the full range of questions set by British Showjumping courses, and is looking for sponsors for both the fences and for arena advertising.

Chloe Walker, who oversees equine, animal care and sport at the college, said: “The Spring Series is a new venture for us and provides a great opportunity for local riders to compete at heights from 55cm to 1.05m in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.”

Riders in the series will accumulate points towards a championship at the end of the spring season.

“In addition it provides a whole range of opportunities for our students, who are so keen that we usually have as many volunteers as ‘on duty’ helpers at the events. Not only can they compete the college’s horses but they can learn a whole range of skills which will be invaluable in their future careers, from acting as steward for a busy collecting ring, which undoubtedly demands great people skills, to course design, which calls on their knowledge of maths as well as jumping to ensure distances between fences are achievable for the level of the competing riders and horse.”

Later in the spring, students will put their experience to good use when they plan, organise and run their own showjumping event on May 7.

Chloe said: “Running any kind of show is a challenge but by this stage we expect them to have polished their skills throughout the series and I am really looking forward to watching it come to fruition.”

The potential investment in new fences will also enable Newton Rigg College to run more jumping clinics during the year, with trainers including John Hill and a Virbac-sponsored rider, with details to be finalised during the spring.

Chloe said: “Dressage clinics are held on a monthly basis at Newton Rigg organised by British Dressage representatives. List 1 dressage judge and Grand Prix rider Jo Graham regularly visits enabling local riders to receive high level tuition in a fantastic new environment and it will be exciting to be able to reach new levels on the jumping side, with both showjumping and eventing clinics in the pipeline.”

Newton Rigg College’s equine courses cover horse care and riding, along with professional training courses for those taking part in equine sports. Facilities include 20 x 60m indoor and outdoor arenas, the indoor arena hosts a galleried viewing area and mirrors to view riding position and a new PA system will be installed in the Spring.

The equine unit also boasts a 12 stable (Monarch) indoor barn facility, including wash box, tack room, feed room and office along with a separate 12-loose box DIY yard which allows students to bring their own horses to college during their studies.