It’s the news that local horse riders have been waiting almost two years to hear Howe Country Centre will finally re-open its doors to Scottish equestrianism in just a few weeks time.
Speaking to The Courier this week Fife agricultural and equestrian businessman Tom Myles, of Caldwells Farm, announced: “We are pleased to confirm that Howe Country Centre will re-open in September.”
Mr Myles has run Highfield Equestrian a family-run riding school, livery and feed business at Caldwells, between Auchtermuchty and Collessie, for the last 15 years.
He now plans to relocate part of this business just two and a half miles down the road to Howe in order to reignite the success of the once popular horse riding venue.
“Both myself and the Wilson family, who own Howe Country Centre, are keen that the centre remains in equestrian usage,” he explained.
Expanding on plans to rejuvinate Howe to its former glory, Mr Myles added: “We intend to put together a team to help run lots of fun shows and events.
“We will also hire out the centre to both clubs and individuals either for schooling or for the running of shows and competitions.”
He added: “We’re in the process of putting down a top of the range equestrian surface in the main indoor arena ahead of the re-opening.”
In addition to its reincarnation as a competition venue, Mr Myles added: “We will also be providing a small number of livery spaces, as well as making retail space available for other equestrian businesses.”
He said that although there is work to be done at Howe, the doors will open for business the minute the arena surface is back down. An ‘official’ opening will most probably take place some time in October.
Mr Myles was also keen to get the message across to all the local clubs, show secretaries and individual riders that they will be welcomed at Howe imminently and bookings will be taken straight away.
Anyone interested in hiring the facilities can contact Highfield on 01337 828524, or 07904 188018.
equestrian@thecourier.co.uk The competition venue at Arnot Acres, Giffordtown, has been run under various ownerships, including as Stotfoot Park and Dabbs, until the current proprietors the Wilson family closed as Howe Country Centre in October 2012.
At that time, Charles Wilson issued a statement which said that following an initial “massive investment” in the centre, the economic climate and a reduction in equestrian competition entries meant Howe was “no longer viable”.
The 14.5-acre site was then placed on the open market, including accompanying Five Oaks House, by selling agents Smiths Gore for offers in excess of £850,000, although it is understood no buyer for the venue was found.
The centre was regarded in its heyday as one of Scotland’s premier equestrian destinations, hosting affiliated British Showjumping and British Dressage events, national showing championships and providing facilities for training, livery and Riding for the Disabled.
It previously offered 37 stables, an indoor arena and indoor warm-up, an outdoor arena and numerous grass arenas which included unique bank and ditch complexes, as well as a conference and function suite, bar, shop and cafe facilities.