Equestrian event venue receives £8m for expansion

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It has been announced that the East of England Showground is to receive £8 million funding.

The ground, which is located near Peterborough, is currently a major venue for horse riding events such as the British Show Ponies Championship Show and the National Shire Horse Society Spring Show.

However, it is due to expand its horse riding calendar to include an "equestrian extravaganza" thanks to the £8m, which was raised by the East of England Agricultural Society.

The money will be spent on an indoor arena, which includes a grandstand seats, a new ground surface, commentary boxes and a sound system. As well as the actual arena, the funding will also be spent on creating a large number of indoor stables and plenty of parking.

The chief executive of the East of England Agricultural Society commented: "The society has discussed the project for about 15 years but it's been properly in the pipeline for the past two.

"We want to increase the quantity and quality of major equestrian event we hold. We're planning a bit show in August, bringing together a number of different events and using the indoor arena for evening galas."

It is expected that the development will be finished by the end of 2007 and will begin hosting horse riding events in March 2008.

A spokesman for the British Show Ponies Society said: "None of the other showgrounds is advancing like this. I'm pleased to see investment in the future – we're thrilled to bits."

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