THOMAS R SYMONDS
Dason Court
Set in the stunning Herefordshire countryside, Dason Court boasts a range of excellent facilities which are being continually added to as the yard expands
Gallops
The horses warm up on the 2 1/2 furlong sand gallop. Our woodchip gallop is 3 1/2 metres wide and 5 1/2 furlongs long with a gradual 4 furlong climb allowing us to get some speed work into them as well as build up their basic stamina. It also benefits youngsters as they learn to settle and relax in close quarters with other horses. We have recently invested in a 2 furlong deep sand, round gallop which really aids long term fitness and stamina.
We also have plenty of available grass which provides another training aid, a change of scenery and the youngsters with more knowledge before their racecourse debuts.
Schooling
We have a wide range of schooling obstacles including three sets of fences and an open ditch, hurdles, fixed brush hurdles and also poles and barrels indoors and outside. We also have small cross-country jumps outside, another aid that helps the youngsters learn to jump. For the few who may run on the flat we have set of three-wide starting stalls.
Yard
Dason Court boasts year-round turn out, allowing horses to relax and unwind in their natural surroundings. The benefits are not just psychological but physical too; aiding the treatment of digestive and respiratory ailments.
We have a 28 x 28m indoor school resurfaced recently by Pegasus Arenas. It is used for warming up, during bad weather and also for flat work, schooling and teaching youngsters to jump. The six horse horse walker made by Claydon was one of the first investments in the yard.
