Mike rents 'The Stables' from neighbouring farmer Mr Thomas. The yard is a self-contained unit originally developed for Mr Thomas's daughter who has now got married and moved away. The yard is in Warwickshire, an attractive part of the English countryside with an established equine infrastructure. He has a one-year tenancy agreement, which is renewed annually every October. He has currently been there for three years.
Mike is a well respected member of the local equestrian community with a wide circle of friends and good people skills. He is also a capable event rider who brings on young horses to sell. He currently has three young thoroughbreds, bought from the Ascot sales, in various stages of competition readiness although one is off work with an abscess in the foot. He part owns one advanced horse and competes an intermediate for another owner. Both these horses are aiming for three-day events this year. The intermediate horse is a stallion that returns to his owner's stud from March through to the end of May.
Mike has four part liveries, one of which is owned by Karen, a local student, who helps Mike during her spare time in return for free livery. He also takes on short term break and school liveries. Although he is not on the BHS register of instructors he teaches seven other riders on a regular basis, including Karen.
THE FACILITIES
โข Converted barn containing 10 internal stables.
โข Adequate storage for tack and feed but limited space for forage and bedding. โข Five acres of grazing adjacent to the yard.
โข Access to mixed farmland with set aside allowing safe off road riding.
โข Standard 40 ร 20 outdoor school.