ABOUT OVERDALE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, OVERDALE LIVERY SERVICES, AND NETHER WESTCOTE

Nether Westcote is situated on the eastern edge of the Cotswold hills, on the borders of Oxfordshire and Gloucestshire (off the A424 which joins Burford with Stow-on-the-Wold, and 4 miles from Kingham train station, which connects with Paddington station in London, and with Heathrow airport).

The village has stunning views over the Evenlode valley, and good safe hacking on quiet lanes and bridle paths.

The centre has 15 acres, and an indoor barn which houses 10 horses.These stables are used by Karin Major who runs local arm of the business. The same building has six outward looking stables (12 foot x 10 foot) which are used for our school horses and for shorter term equine guests. There is a separate tack room for course participants.

Some of the horses who come on courses can be kept in small paddocks as opposed to stables (see booking form), and stabled horses can be hand grazed in various parts of the property, or on the common just 50 yards away.


The covered arena measures 22m x 67m... in other words, it’s big! The surface is silica sand and rubber, which is proving extremely durable and good to ride on. The windward sides are protected by high banks, and by screens of Galebreaker netting. This makes for a much more light and pleasant atmosphere than one has in most arenas that are completely enclosed. It also avoids the cold-in-your-bones wet/damp chill that inhabits those arenas in winter, or the sauna-effect that heats them up and makes them so sweat-inducing during summer. The arena is not a spooky place – the horses seem to like it in there, and one has many of the benefits of riding outdoors without getting soaked, blown away, or frazzled by the sun! The arena works well at all times of year, and during summer sunshine its structure creates an absolutely delightful atmosphere. The arena has mirrors running the whole length of the far short side - a great help for comparing how you look with how you feel!

A lovely feature of Overdale is our workshop room, which we use for dismounted teaching, video feedback, and for bodywork sessions. The workshop room has a mine of useful information displayed all over its walls, and is a lovely space in which to relax with friends (but you have to take your boots off!) It is the venue for bodywork sessions, and Karin Major, who is a qualified Feldenkrais Teacher, offers Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration. These sessions have proved immensely helpful to people with movement restrictions or pain, and also to those who want to streamline the way their body operates and to maximize their learning.

Between them, Nether Westcote and Church Westcote (seperated by only a few hundred yards) have a population of several hundred. There is no shop – the nearest one is about two miles away. However, the Feathered Nest, a magnificent reincarnation of the Westcote Inn (and the original New Inn), has wonderful views from the restaurant and garden, and is just a few minutes walk away. Most course participants have their evening meal there, although there are other good pubs within a short drive.

The Cotswold View Guesthouse, and the cheaper accommodation offered by local families are all just a few minutes walk from Overdale, so the needs of our guests are well catered for! For more information look up: www.cotswoldview-guesthouse.co.uk. Hotel accommodation is available within a short drive.

Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford (4 and 7 miles away, respectively) are fascinating little towns, with beautiful old buildings constructed of our local Cotswold stone. Between them and the local villages there are fabulous pubs and restaurants which offer everything from good pub grub to haute cuisine. For more information look up: www.cotswold.gov.uk.

TO CONTACT KARIN MAJOR ABOUT OVERDALE LIVERY SERVICES CONTACT 01993 832520 (daytimes) or visit http://www.overdale-equestrian.co.uk.

Karin teaches local people on site, both on their own horses and on our school horses, using the ‘Ride With Your Mind’ approach. We also have several ponies, and give lessons for children. She also runs our 'supervision programme' for working students.