Are Dogs Allowed?
Dogs may be permitted if kept under control & on leads, particularly around horses, parking areas & other riders.
Dogs may be permitted if kept under control & on leads, particularly around horses, parking areas & other riders.
Yes, subject to booking availability & session rules.
Private hire or group bookings may be available at certain times. This can be useful for riding clubs, trainers, clinics or groups of friends wanting exclusive use of the course.
Many riders attend independently, although riding with another person is often encouraged for safety reasons where possible.
Certain mini-course sessions may be suitable for lead rein riders or very small children, depending on conditions & experience levels. Riders should always check suitability before booking.
Yes. Friends, family members & trainers are generally welcome to watch schooling sessions from safe viewing areas.
Absolutely. Many riders bring young or inexperienced horses to Stour XC because the course offers a sensible progression of fences in a relaxed schooling environment.
Yes. Booking in advance is strongly recommended to secure your preferred session time & ensure the course is not overcrowded.
Yes. Body protectors are strongly recommended — & often mandatory — for cross-country schooling activities.
Yes. Stour XC includes water features designed to help horses gain confidence in & around water obstacles. These are popular for both young horses & more experienced event horses preparing for competition.
Yes. Alongside smaller training fences, the course also offers more technical & larger obstacles for experienced riders looking to prepare for hunter trials, eventing or stepping up levels.
Yes. Stour XC regularly hosts training clinics with instructors & coaches covering different experience levels.
Very much so. Cross-country schooling helps both horses & riders develop trust, balance, rhythm & confidence in a controlled environment without the pressure of competition.
Yes. Stour XC provides parking suitable for horseboxes & trailers.
The course generally operates seasonally, with availability depending on weather & ground conditions.
Yes. Stour XC includes smaller, inviting fences designed to help introduce horses & riders to cross-country schooling in a calm, progressive environment. Many riders use the course to build confidence before moving on to larger fences or competitions.
Yes. Many riders use Stour XC to prepare for hunter trials, one-day events, Pony Club activities, riding club competitions & British Eventing competitions.
The course is maintained throughout the schooling season to help provide safe, enjoyable riding conditions wherever possible, although conditions will naturally vary depending on weather.
Yes. Stour XC offers a mini course option which is ideal for smaller horses, ponies, younger riders or those wanting to build confidence over smaller fences.
Occasionally sessions may need to be restricted or postponed if weather conditions make the ground unsuitable or unsafe. Riders should always check ahead if conditions are uncertain.
Stour XC is a dedicated cross-country schooling course based near Spetisbury, close to Blandford Forum in Dorset. The course has been designed to provide riders with a wide variety of fences, combinations & training questions suitable for different levels of horse & rider.
Stour XC focuses on creating a friendly, welcoming & practical schooling environment with a wide variety of fences designed to help riders progress confidently. The course combines approachable training opportunities for less experienced combinations with enough variety & technicality to remain useful for experienced event riders too.
Most riders use protective boots, a correctly fitted saddle, medical armbands or emergency details & suitable tack for open-country riding. Riders should also wear an up-to-standard riding hat & body protector.
The course includes a broad variety of fences & training features including water complexes, banks & steps, ditches, skinnies, logs, natural fences, raised features & training combinations. The aim is to provide realistic, confidence-building schooling opportunities for a wide range of horses & riders.
Stour XC is located in Spetisbury, near Blandford Forum in Dorset, with easy access from the A350. The venue is well positioned for riders travelling from across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire & Somerset.