The world class Arena at Merrist Wood, which was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted inspectors this year, recently hosted a lecture and demonstration of dressage techniques by Carl Hester. Carl, pictured here with his horse Movistar, was a member of the British silver medal winning team at the 2009 European Championships. He has won 52 national titles and competes successfully internationally.

Carl’s demonstration was part of a programme of top-class equestrian events open to the public which are attracting audiences from all over the country to the Arena, which is a pre-Olympic training venue for the 2012 Games. Earlier in the year three day eventer Mary King, who represented Great Britain in three Olympics, put her horses through their strides on the flat and over fences at Merrist Wood Arena.

Next up at the Arena was famous ‘horse whisperer’ Monty Roberts, who inspired a Hollywood film. He brought his touring demonstration entitled ‘the Man Who Listens to Horses – Willing Partners’ there on October 28th. He will be followed by an evening lecture demonstration from Olympic three day eventer Sharon Hunt on November 25.

The Arena also provides a competition venue to up and coming riders from local pony clubs and there are plans for it to be used by the local branch of the British Show Jumping Association for training.

Emma Warren, Director of the Faculty for Animal Management at Merrist Wood, said: "These lectures and demonstrations help us to spread equestrian education into the wider community beyond our student population, raising standards of horsemanship generally."

For more information about equine events at Merrist Wood Arena, call 01483 884147. For information about equine courses at Merrist Wood Campus, visit www.guildford.ac.uk