Gwyn Rowlands sadly died on 27th.October 2003 at the age of 83.
He had been very ill since December 2002.
Gwyn’s energy and great efforts since 1968 resulted in providing people in the Kent area with excellent indoor facilities to use and enjoy.
Gwyn Rowlands 1920 -2003
Eaglesfield is a family run Equestrian Centre at West Yoke, Ash,
(Near Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit) in Kent, England.
When Jean Clark nee’ Dyne moved to Eaglesfield with her family there were
2 stables, 4 stalls and some out buildings at the yard.
Jean and her family led by their Uncle, Gwyn Rowlands, worked hard to transform the site into the Equestrian Centre many visitors to West Yoke, Kent, now enjoy.
Eaglesfield has the largest indoor school of it’s kind, measuring 340’x80’ feet.
The indoor school and massive project was the brain child of Gwyn who after visiting a riding school at Biggin Hill was inspired to build his own for his nieces Jean and Beryl Dabner nee’Dyne to use.
Many early mornings and late nights eventually produced the popular venue for livery, lessons, indoor shows and riding demonstrations.
Jean and her sister Beryl spent many hours looking after livery horses and teaching adults and children to ride. In their limited spare time they enjoyed show jumping their own ponies and horses.
One of Jean’s first liveries was an event horse called The Regent who was kept at livery until he was sold to the American Olympic Team and later short listed for the Mexico Olympics. Jean spent many enjoyable hours working The Regent on the road and galloping him to keep him fit for his owner Major Joe Lynch.
Jean accompanied The Regent to Badminton in 1968 as his groom, where he finished in 12th. place.
In 1970 Eaglesfield was used by American Event rider Jimmy Wooford as a base for two of his horses one of which, Kilkenny, again groomed and kept fit by Jean won the bronze medal at the 3 Day Event World Championships in Punchestown Ireland.
Jean and Beryl gained untold experience during their training under the extremely experienced riding teacher Major Lynch before he went to coach the American Olympic Event team in their preparation for the Mexico Olympics where they won the silver medal.
After Major Lynch left for America Jean and Beryl put all their energy into building the livery side of their business. When they were not mucking out or teaching they were laying concrete paths and doing their best to improve the stables and working conditions for other members of their staff.
Over the years Jean has tried to be forward thinking by providing as many modern facilities as finances would allow for her clients to use. Eaglesfield has a horse walker, round pen and one of the largest privately owned indoor arenas in Kent.
All the facilities are available to the livery clients to use daily.
The well thought out show jumping events held during the winter months at the centre, cater for both ponies and horses from novice to advanced standard. The shows are well supported and entry is often full before the closing dates.
Eaglesfield is fortunate in having excellent assistance with the shows.
Alan Golledge who is well respected in Kent as an Affiliated Show Jumping Judge heads the team of judges.
RIDING LESSONS 1967 - 2016
Jean Clark made the very sad decision to cease the Riding School side of the Equestrian Centre at Eaglesfield from 1st January 2016. This was partly due to Susan Martinez and Sally Rowe wishing to take things a little more easy and retire from day to day riding school lessons. They had both been involved in the teaching at Eaglesfield since 1979. Needless to say they will both be missed.
They will be keeping their hand in and continuing to teach in and around Kent but not under Eaglesfield Equestrian Events Limited's banner. For group and private lessons on your own horse at your yard or by hiring one of Eaglesfields arenas you may contact Sue or Sally directly, Sue 01732 760222 and Sally on 01474 823915.
Livery at Eaglesfield is on a Do It Yourself basis but is well supported by experienced help when needed.
Livery clients and visitors can enjoy light refreshments in the purpose built café.
Jean’s nephew Kris Dabner is a local distributor for Equine America products and although based at Eaglesfield he is always happy to make visits to yards in the area to deliver or advise on these products.
Jean’s daughter Penny Lewis is in charge of the embroidery department at Eaglesfield. Penny is able to add names and logo’s to most garments and also offers a design service to clients wishing to convert existing logos to stitches. Penny may be contacted at Eaglesfield or by telephone on
01474 872242 mobile 07958 650036.
After reading this brief passage if you have any happy memories of time spent at Eaglesfield please email Jean Clark at :- eaglesfield.jean@btinternet.com
