A new multi-million pound equestrian training centre
for top level international riders is about to re-open in the
South East.
Bedgebury Park Equestrian Centre, the well-known and highly
respected riding facility, in Goudhurst, Kent where Tina
Cook, the British Olympic bronze medallist, was once
a pupil, is being completely re-furbished and re-developed.
Behind the project is a tiny, dynamic, action-packed Canadian
businesswoman, Gabriella Atkinson.
Says Gabriella “Location means everything. Bedgebury is
situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty and I intend
to market it locally, nationally and internationally.
With her extensive network of contacts coupled with her drive,
determination and financial resources there is no doubt she will
succeed.
Gabriella was born in Vancouver, the largest city on Canada’s
West Coast and home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. With an aptitude
for languages and a love of books she majored in English Literature
and minored in French, Spanish and German.
As a child she read Black Beauty and dreamed of having a horse. At
every opportunity she tried to make horses a part of her life
but she had little time as even at that age she was too busy
working.
Her family owned and managed a string of hotels and restaurants
throughout British Columbia. After school and at weekends she
worked in the family business.
In 1996 Gabriella and her family moved to England and she moved
closer to fulfilling her dream because of the opportunities England
could offer in the equestrian world. The dawn of the
millennium brought the moment she had been waiting for and she
bought her first horse. The family watched this hobby become
an all consuming passion. Her daughter Natasha shared her
mothers love and enthusiasm for the horses and more ponies appeared
on the scene.
In 2004 they moved their entourage to Bedgebury and everytime
they hacked out on the forest it reminded Gabriella of home. But
they did not stay as Gabriella's vision of creating a team around
which her daughter could learn and compete meant she had to find
her own facilities.
Team Atkinson based themselves on the Ashdown Forest and travelled
the length and breadth of the country with their county level
show ponies. With a pony in every class Natasha qualified
and competed at the Royal International Horseshow and the Horse
of the Year Show three years running.
Much to Gabriella’s dismay in the summer of 2008 the facility
was sold underneath her and she had to relocate 15 ponies in
a matter of days. Having little time and few options she
asked an old friend to help her and ended up on a racing yard
in paddock wood. In January 2009 Team Atkinson changed
its focus and a 13.2 show pony became one of the best racing
ponies in the country. Winning at her debut race at Cheltenham,
Rhoden Midnight Diamond, then proceeded to win at every
major race course including Ascot, Kempton and Newmarket.
Along side training the racing pony Natasha competed at Burghley
in September 2009 in the Young Riders competition. Gabriella
could see that Natasha was desperate to find a location like
the Ashdown Forest again and Gabriella was determined to make
this happen.
She began to put together the biggest deal of her life. She
heard on the grapevine that Bedgebury was for sale and one day
she drove by, saw the sign, phoned the estate agents and offered
the asking price without even getting out the car. It took eight
months to complete the deal and on 18 December she became the
proud owner of an equestrian centre which included 50 stables,
four riding arenas, two inside, two outside, a cross-country
course, eight cottages and 127 acres.”
She hasn’t stopped since.
Whilst doing extensive renovations to the centre she has also
brought in Sharon Hunt, one of Britain’s top event riders. ;Sharon
has just moved to Bedgebury with her string of horses, which
is a major plus for the centre and its now fast-growing reputation.
Says Sharon, “What Gabriella is doing is very exciting. ;I’m
thrilled to be part of the new Bedgebury, I’m sure it’s
going to help me and my career.
Still on Gabriella’s list of things-to-do: plan and arrange
training clinics with Sharon and other riders, affiliated and
unaffiliated dressage competitions, on-site catering, short
and/or long-term lets, riding holidays, children’s camps
as well as letting the indoor schools for riding and other functions.
“I don’t just want Bedgebury to be a first-class
riding centre; I want it to be a total riding experience,
where people can engage with others who share the same commitment
and passion towards equestrian excellence. There is
nothing like this at present and I am sure it will be a
great success.”
As a child she read Black Beauty and dreamed of having a horse. At
every opportunity she tried to make horses a part of her life
but she had little time as even at that age she was too busy
working. 
In 2004 they moved their entourage to Bedgebury and everytime
they hacked out on the forest it reminded Gabriella of home. But
they did not stay as Gabriella's vision of creating a team around
which her daughter could learn and compete meant she had to find
her own facilities. 
Team Atkinson changed
its focus and a 13.2 show pony became one of the best racing
ponies in the country. Winning at her debut race at Cheltenham,
Rhoden Midnight Diamond, then proceeded to win at every
major race course including Ascot, Kempton and Newmarket. 
abriella’s list of things-to-do: plan and arrange
training clinics with Sharon and other riders, affiliated and
unaffiliated dressage competitions, on-site catering, short
and/or long-term lets, riding holidays, children’s camps
as well as letting the indoor schools for riding and other functions. 
