back in use. So, as Fergus Cameron explains, every effort goes into helping the turf recover from the impact of galloping hooves and from any standing water. “We aim to vertidrain three times a year - in the autumn once the main drainage works are completed, in April and mid-season - to encourage deeper root growth and relieve the compaction that the weight of flood water causes. We also slit before irrigating to make maximum use of the water and encourage it to move through the soil profile, giving the most consistent going that is possible.”


Irrigation water is pumped directly


from the river, and Tim comments that the course has a generous abstraction limit. Application is via a pipe and sprinkler system, and it takes six pipe moves to cover the whole course, a labour intensive process, particularly at the end of the season when there are generally fewer temporary workers available. “We can apply up to 30mm of water per meeting and, although it is needed


to provide the right conditions for summer jumping, it also creates optimum conditions for the action of the horses’ hooves to cause compaction, so it is a constant juggling act,” says Fergus.


Each spring, the team has the challenge of dealing with whatever the winter has thrown at the course. “We try not to do too much in the autumn, as all the work can be undone by a wet winter, which can be disheartening,” comments Tim. If there is not too much damage,


reseeding begins in February, along with grading take offs and landing for steeplechase fences. “As we remove the fences each winter we can easily resite them if it is perceived that their position has caused a problem, and this course of action will be considered in the spring, too,” explains Tim.


In conjunction with turf agronomist,


Mike Harbridge, Fergus and Tim have developed a seeding regime based on varieties which offer fast recovery from wear to meet the demands of the busy


summer programme. “We use Esquire Platinum and Verdi


from Johnsons, treated with Growmax to get fast germination,” Tim explains. “The seed is stronger and comes through much more quickly.” But, the post race reinstatement has also become highly influential in the course’s readiness for the next meeting, with a new divot mix from White Moss Eco Supplies - a blend of medium grade washed silica sand and PAS 100 certified green compost - ‘working wonders’, he reckons. “We aim to reinstate the track after each meeting within 24 hours, and every day makes a difference in the amount of recovery seen,” says Fergus. The seeder, like the vertidrain, is


shared with other courses in the Arena Leisure group, but Worcester has its own equipment for routine maintenance, including three John Deere tractors and a 4.23m Votex front mounted mower. A new addition for 2010 was a Trilo blower, mounted on the tractor’s rear linkage and used in conjunction with the mower.


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