Drainage System Delivers Excellent Ground Conditions Say Top Regional Event Riders at Belsay Horse Trials

The AFT Wizz Wheel 75 was an integral part of the work carried out by White Horse Contractors to install a replacement drainage system into the new show jumping arena at Belsay Horse Trials.

The original drainage was installed nearly 150 years ago, and although the Victorian tile drain system is still in full working order it is 1m or more deep in places, and has no permeable aggregate backfill, meaning it can struggle to provide a quality surface for a natural turf equestrian surface.

The work to modernise the drainage system was carried out in two phases with White Horse Contractors, specialists in the design and construction of natural and artificial sports surfaces, carrying out the second phase by installing the slit drainage system before reinstating the turf.

Jamie Atkinson who has represented Great Britain on all the young rider teams and now specialises in producing top young event horses from his yard near Durham, praised the surface.

He said: “The team at Belsay have done a super job – the new drainage system has really worked and the ground has a fantastic spring to it.  All the horses jumped beautifully.  It is so nice to see people putting time and effort into creating a top class natural surface.”

During this process the AFT Wizz Wheel 75 was used to full effect, taking advantage of the re-designed machines features that allow it to be pulled centrally behind a tractor giving increased visibility for the driver and greater control.

The latest model provides the very high speed trenching, up to 2000metres per hour, but with the added benefit of increased digging widths from 50 to 150mm (2” to 6”).

The first phase of work was carried out by D.G. Walton and Son, who cleared and cleaned the main drain of the existing system before installing a secondary main drain with an inspection chamber at the connection point.

The Belsay based company then completed the first phase of work by installing the new pipe drainage system with lateral and intermediate drains at every five metres. 

Laura de Wesselow one of the organisers of the event is delighted with the results of their investment

“The drainage project has been a huge investment for us,” she said.

“But we believe that it is absolutely worth it for the long term success of Belsay.”

Information on the full range of trenchers from the website: www.trenchers.co.uk