A riding school and rescue and rehabilitation centre in Hampshire is fearing for its future after the local council decided to lease its land to a herd of alpacas.
Russells Equestrian Centre near Southampton has leased 7.5 acres of land in Itchen Valley Country Park for grazing from Eastleigh Borough Council between May and October each year for the last 10 years.
The riding school, which also operates a rescue and rehabilitation centre called the Epona Trust, was informed last month that this arrangement would no longer be possible as the council has decided to lease the land to facilitate the “grazing and walking of around 30 alpacas”.
This decision has severe consequences for the business as they require this land to provide enough grazing for their horses and comply with their riding school licence.
There is concern that refusal to lease the land will “jeopardize their business, livelihoods and their wonderful horses and ponies”.
‘Lose their whole business’
“Carol Boulton established Russells Equestrian Centre 50 years ago, and together with her daughter Verity Tidmarsh, have a hugely positive impact on our community,” said Amanda Winstone, Epona Trust committee member.
“They specialise in helping children and adults with special needs and Carol is a Riding for the Disabled county chair and a trustee for the Association of British Riding Schools.
“They also rescue and rehabilitate horses and ponies as part of the Epona Trust, all who will be affected by the loss of this grazing.
“They could lose their whole business due to this decision, but the impact is worse than that and could also mean losing their beloved horses.”
At the time of writing, a petition set up by Amanda advocating that councillors review the decision had received over 2,700 signatures.
A spokesperson for Eastleigh Borough Council told Your Horse:
“The Council has entered into a new licence agreement to allow the grazing and walking of around 30 alpacas on the 7.5-acre Lower Russell Fields site at Itchen Valley Country Park.
“This will provide grazing and the opportunity for children and adults to walk alpacas at the park. As well as having biodiversity and health and well-being benefits, it will generate income towards the upkeep of the park.”
“The previous seasonal grazing licence for Russells Equestrian has been issued for many years on a month-to-month basis between May and October, with no commitment in the legal agreement to continue this year-on-year.
“We wrote to Russells Equestrian in December giving them five months’ notice that we would not be renewing the licence this coming May, and the Council is continuing to work with Russells Equestrian to look for alternative grazing.”
Main image © Russells Equestrian Centre.
