Clare Balding officially opens the Aintree International Equestrian Centre
Clare Balding to officially open Aintree International Equestrian Centre at Aintree’s October Race Meeting on Sunday 28th October.
On Sunday 28th October, Aintree International Equestrian Centre, based in the grounds of the world famous Aintree Racecourse, will be officially opened by BBC Sports Presenter, Clare Balding. The opening will coincide with Aintree’s Halloween themed family race day, Freaky Family Funday, part of a two-day racing weekend at Aintree, the racecourse’s first jump race meeting of the new season. A plaque will be unveiled to commemorate the opening of the £4.6 million centre, which will serve as an international arena for a range of equestrian activities. Pony Club show jumping and games will take place in the centre throughout the day, demonstrating the kind of equine activities and disciplines that the centre will showcase.
Completed in April 2007, Aintree International Equestrian Centre was built thanks to investment from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The 56,000 square foot international standard arena features a 70x30 metre main arena, suitable for hosting international, national and local level equestrian competitions, in addition to a 55x20 metre collecting ring, offices and lecture rooms. This makes it an ideal venue for all kinds of equestrian events, reinforcing Aintree as a setting for the riding stars of the future.
Aintree International Equestrian Centre has already hosted various equestrian events, from show jumping to dressage events, as well as a ‘Taster Week’ for schools in June, when the centre opened its doors to over 300 children from Liverpool schools who enjoyed free riding lessons and engaged in lessons about equestrian skills.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said, ‘Aintree Racecourse is one of the Northwest's major tourism assets, attracting 200,000 visitors to the region every year. The new International Equestrian Centre is an exciting addition to this venue, as there is nothing else like it in the region. The Agency’s investment means that this facility is capable of attracting international events to the Northwest, making a significant contribution to the regional economy."
Richard Nutter, Head of European Programmes at Government Office for the North West, said, ‘This latest EU investment of £1.2 million towards the Equestrian Centre will further enhance it as one of the most familiar brands in world sport and provide another great legacy from Objective One for local people and visitors alike.’
Commenting on the official opening, Andrew Tulloch, Equestrian Centre Director, said, ‘We are delighted to officially open Aintree International Equestrian Centre. It is a state of the art facility of its kind and we are very excited about opening our doors to those who are as passionate about equestrianism as a sport as we are. It is our vision to hold many equestrian events here, from international events, to more ‘Taster Week’s’ for local schools, encouraging more people to get into riding and the fitness and fun that the sport brings.’
