NEW owners have taken over the reins of Richmond Equestrian Centre and are galloping forward with ambitious renovation plans.

Husband and wife team Andrew and Abigail Turnbull took ownership of the site this month and are investing heavily in the facility.

They have quashed rumours that the site was destined to be turned over for farming and have unveiled their plans to improve the yards which house 60 horses.

Mrs Turnbull explained: “Several are getting a full renovation and some demolished.

“Our horsewalkers are getting an update, as are the wash boxes, solariums tack rooms and our all weather gallops.” Mrs Turnbull added that the car park area is getting tidied up and a new logo is being designed to represent the centre.

There are also plans to convert around six properties onsite into holiday accommodation with an equine theme.

Mrs Turnbull admitted that the site needs more work than initially thought, but they are looking forward to rising to the challenge.

“It has been a lot bigger project than we though it was going to be and it is going to be a lot more expensive than we thought it would be,” said Mrs Turnbull.

“But we are starting as we mean to go on and have hit the ground running.”

The couple’s14-year-old daughter Lydia already competes nationally and Mrs Turnbull their son Henry, 12, has just taken up riding.

Mr Turnbull has a farming background, having worked on the family farm in Melsonby, Waterloo, since leaving school.

The arenas will continue to be managed separately from the equestrian centre.

And the first major event at the centre under the Turnbulls’ stewardship will be a three-day British Eventing Horse Trials from August 31.