Nurstead Court, Olympic Training Camp

Equestrian: Dressage, Equestrian: Eventing, Equestrian: Jumping

Nurstead Court has been selected as an Pre-Games Training Camp for Equestrian and you could be forgiven for thinking that it was simply due to its ideal location, only 25 minutes on the M2 motorway from the London 2012 Equestrian venue at Greenwich Park.

A closer inspection of Nurstead, will however, immediately reveal the true nature of its unique proposition for any equestrian team considering establishing themselves in the UK prior to the London 2012 Games.

The manor house itself is steeped in history and is Grade 1 listed, consisting of a medieval hall with a regency front. The House and Gardens are in an idyllic setting amid acres of beautiful farmland. Nurstead Manor is over 1,000 years old. There is a record of dues paid to Rochester Diocese by Nurstead Church in the tenth century. The first record of the Manor itself is in the Domesday Book, which is held in the time of King Edward (1003-1066) by the then lord of the manor, Vlfstan.

The west wing of the present Manor house is part of a medieval hall built in 1320 by Stephan de Gravesend, Bishop of London. (Tree-ring dating confirms that the original timbers used in the construction were felled in 1316). The original form of the house was an aisled hall in which the roof was carried on six massive pillars, four of which may still be seen. The walls, of dressed flint laid in courses, carried no load but simply filled the space between roof and ground.

An additional point of interest is that Nurstead has been occupied by the Edmeades family since 1567. The Edmeades-Stearns are the fourteenth generation of the family to live in the Manor House and even to the present day, Nurstead Court, is still a family run estate with 400 acres of farmland, comprising a busy livery yard and a hospitality and wedding venue. They hope to preserve the charm and guarantee the future of this estate for generations to come.

Providing the perfect venue for hospitality and all types of indoor and outdoor events, the house has excellent facilities for private dining, conferences, meetings and parties for up to 70 people, whilst the grounds and Garden Marquee provide a beautiful alternative for larger events, up to 400 guests.

Nurstead Court has a reputation for providing catering and service of the highest quality. This commitment to quality together with the beautiful setting and friendly atmosphere makes Nurstead Court a unique venue and ideal for an equestrian team.

Pre-Games Training Camp

Nurstead has held annual British Eventing Horse Trials since 2003 and these have become extremely popular with top international riders, including current Olympic Champion, Pippa Funnel, who competed at Nurstead in 2006 and 2007 and will again compete in 2008.

The Nurstead Court Olympic Equestrian Training Camp itself will be purpose built for the 2012 London Olympics, having a £1m cash injection to complete the centre and its facilities.

The horses will be accommodated in 14 spacious stables in an American-barn style building with easy access to heated tack rooms, wash down areas, drying rooms and a horse solarium. Minimum stable dimensions are 14ft by 12ft (4.2m x 3.6m) with four larger boxes at 16ft by 14ft (5m x 4.2m). The stabling is close to all the on-site training facilities, including one indoor and two outdoor all-weather arenas, grass jumping arena, all-weather gallop and international cross-country course.

Olympians and team members will be well looked after in the purpose-built six-bedroom old English flint country home. The house will have all modern facilities including common areas, gym, jacuzzi and sauna. All six bedrooms have en suite facilities and are broadband enabled.

Grooms and support teams have their own accommodation with twin bedrooms to accommodate eight people in the adjacent cottage. Also on site are a heated indoor swimming pool and a lake with fly-fishing for trout.

Below is a detailed list of the equestrian facilities; none of the facilities are shared with existing liveries:

- Olympic-size dedicated indoor arena with sound system, light system, viewing gallery and full length training mirrors
- Two outdoor, 20m x 60m dedicated floodlit all-weather arenas for training.
- Established international cross-country course
- One acre floodlit show jumping arena featuring British Show Jumping Association show jumps
- Derby bank, dykes and ditches
- All-weather three-quarter mile gallop
- Turnout in small individual well-maintained paddocks with post-and-rail fencing.
- All arenas regularly maintained to need
- Trot-up area for vet checks
- Equine weighbridge
- Floodlit horsewalker with roof, rubber floor and CCTV cameras
- Rubber matting available in every stable if required
- Internationally renowned horse transport service
- Floodlit parking facilities on hard surfaces for cars, horseboxes and trailers
- Equine swimming facility
- Farrier Bay with cross ties, hay nets and lighting for low level work
- Horse vetting services and dentistry regularly available to attend to the horses
- Isolation boxes
- Rest areas including changing facilities, TV, video, stereo, coffee & tea making facilities.
- Automatic Water Systems available in every stable if required.
- Washing machines & dryers
- 24-hour security with CCTV system
- Dedicated, experienced, staff members available as required

Hosting experience
Nurstead Court has held an International Horse Trials for the last six years, with a number of international riders having competed, including current Olympic Champion, Pippa Funnell.

Nurstead has also been an active competition livery yard since 2002, with liveries competing in affiliated competitions in all disciplines, at the yard itself and nationwide. At the training camp, the team will enjoy exclusive use, and will not share any facilities with existing liveries.

Ginny Walliker, the joint organiser of the Nurstead Court Horse Trials, has been involved in British Eventing since 1976 and will be pleased to give help regarding the facilities and will assist in liaising with teams to ensure they are fully provided for, should they be interested in coming to Nurstead. Ginny is well acquainted with the requirements of a visiting team, having been the manager of English teams touring Zimbabwe during the 1980's and was Chef d'Equipe of the England team touring South Africa in 1995.

Sport facility specifications
Olympic sports
Equestrian
Dressage arena 1
Area of dressage arena: 1500m²
Floor surface: Composite
Length of dressage arena: 60m
Width of dressage arena: 25m
Dressage arena 2
Area of dressage arena: 800m²
Floor surface: Composite
Length of dressage arena: 40m
Width of dressage arena: 20m
Equine swimming facilities
Equine weighbridge
Grade of Cross Country Course : Advanced
Horse walker available
Indoor Training Area 1
Area of indoor training area: 1500m²
Floor surface: Composite
Length of indoor training area: 60m
Width of indoor training area: 25m
Length of Cross Country Course : 3.2km
Number of individual 12ft x 12ft competition horse stables : 14
Outdoor Training Area 1
Area of outdoor training area: 1500m²
Floor surface: Composite
Length of outdoor training area: 60m
Width of outdoor training area: 25m
Outdoor Training Area 2
Area of outdoor training area: 800m²
Floor surface: Composite
Length of outdoor training area: 40m
Width of outdoor training area: 20m
Show Jumping Arena 1
Floor surface: Turf
Length of show jumping arena: 80m
Width of show jumping arena: 40m
Show Jumping Arena 2
Floor surface: Turf
Length of show jumping arena: 60m
Width of show jumping arena: 60m
Sound System
Veterinary services nearby