Chilham Park, Olympic Training Centre

Equestrian: Eventing

Chilham Park is an established equestrian event venue set in the parkland of Chilham Castle, near Canterbury, Kent. There is a long tradition of Eventing at Chilham, with events held here until the 1980s. The new owners of the Castle re-established the cross-country course at Chilham in 2004.

The British Eventing standard cross-country course is set in over 100ha acres of undulating parkland. Full use is made of the natural terrain and the going is enhanced by the mature turf and care taken by Chilham Park staff in maintaining the grounds.

The course has been designed by British Eventing A-list course builder, Scott Brickell, who regularly designs courses throughout the south east of England. As a high-quality competition venue, Chilham Park is continually updating and adding to the cross country course, providing a wide range of fences over which to train. Chilham is committed to a programme of development that includes running two events per annum up to intermediate level.

Chilham Park is also home to a small quality livery yard run by Ali Ferry, BHSII(SM) with permanent and temporary stabling available for visiting riders.

The livery yard facilities include:

- 10 permanent full-sized stables, up to 12m x 18m including fully-alarmed tack room.
- 25m x 50m all-weather rubber-surfaced ménage, with full set of competition-quality show jumps.
- Good grazing within post-and-rail paddocks and all-weather turn-out in covered corrals

Security includes:

- Fully-alarmed tack room/office.
- Security lighting linked to a security system which covers the full livery yard complex
- Infrared cameras throughout yard complex, linked to two CCTV monitors

In consultation with Chilham staff, accommodation for visiting teams can be found in one of the many quality hotels in the local area, including the city of Canterbury with its many facilities. The Wheeler family have indicated that it may be possible to accommodate a very limited number of people in the Castle.

Chilham is ideally situated for easy access to-and-from Europe via the Port of Dover and both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Chilham Park is conveniently positioned for south east London and Greenwich. Only 80km from Greenwich, Chilham Park offers easy access to the extensive motorway system to the Olympic equestrian site.

Hosting experience
Since re-opening in 2004, Chilham Park has become firmly established in the British Eventing competition calendar and for local riders in the south east of England.

In 2007, Chilham Park hosted its first British Eventing one-day event since the 1980s, re-establishing itself as a traditional Country House Horse Trials venue. Presently an annual event held in August, Chilham are committed to a programme of development that includes running two events per annum up to intermediate level.

As well as an events venue, Chilham Park is designed to be a cross-country training facility open to trainers and riders throughout the year. As a permanent venue and cross-country training facility, Chilham Park have a professional team of staff dedicated to providing high quality livery, competitions and events throughout the year. To date (April 2008) all competitions at Chilham have been fully subscribed with many riders competing on a regular basis.

The experienced events staff also organise a number of local competitions and clinics with top trainers including William Fox-Pitt and Jane Holderness-Roddam.

Sport facility specifications
Olympic sports
Equestrian
Grade of Cross Country Course : Intermediate
Outdoor Training Area 1
Floor surface: Composite
Length of outdoor training area: 50m
Width of outdoor training area: 25m
Veterinary services nearby