RENOWNED eventer Chris Bartle has opened a £700,000 equestrian centre at Askham Bryan College near York.

Chris, a former coach to the British Olympic team, who runs the Yorkshire Riding Centre near Ripon and now trains the German three-day event team, launched his new book, Training The Sport Horse, at the same time as opening the new facility.

Located on a nine-acre site, the centre includes stabling for 20 horses, lecture rooms, and an indoor and outdoor school. It has taken nine months to construct, and will allow students to study on site with their horses.

The college's principal, Professor Gareth Rees, said: "The opening of this magnificent new centre represents a major milestone for Askham Bryan College and equestrianism in the area.

"Our existing students and those who choose to come and study with us in the future will be able to take advantage of these tremendous facilities, and the range of courses we will be able to develop, including foundation degrees, which will begin this September.

"We were delighted that Chris Bartle was able to join us for the official opening."

Courses have been run at the college for the past ten years, but have taken place off site. The new centre's completion will mean that students will be able to carry out their studies at one base and stable their horses on campus. Currently the equine and horse care courses include British Horse Society NVQs and BTEC Diploma courses in horse management, as well as part-time courses.

The indoor school has a specially constructed floor of rubber and sand, floodlighting, and a spectator area with tiered seating.

The outdoor school has a rubber surface and will have banking for spectator viewing. It will also have show jumps and cross country jumps will be built in a nearby field.

Updated: 08:27 Thursday, June 03, 2004