Equestrian


We apply fertiliser and then irrigate if necessary. I use a range of seed, mainly tetraploid ryegrasses


Fence rebuilding has to be fitted into the busy summer programme


ProTurf 12:5:20 slow release fertiliser in the spring, plus Sierrablen 18:5:18 mid-summer on the flat course. The jumps track has benefited from 20:0:7 in the spring and Sierrablen 19:5:18 mid-summer. “We have seen significant improvements since moving to this programme,” reports Ed. The jumps tracks are Verti-drained twice a


year, and the the flat track once a year, with additional work on the running lines as necessary. Attention is paid to spiking, when possible, and the home and paddock bends are hollow cored annually, as well as being slit and sanded prior to racing. A combination of a Briggs boom and tow


line irrigators are used as needed; the entire 5.75ha flat course can be watered in two 10 hour days. The 8.4ha jumps track rarely requires irrigation as the season does not get underway until November. There’s a lot of grass to mow, and Ed uses


Port Agric and Perfect out-front tractor mounted mowers. The Perfect mower, from Dutch manufacturer Van Wamel, features a domed deck and overlapping blades to give a clean cut even in wet conditions.


“We mainly use this mower on the flat


track for its quality cut, much improved on what we have had before,” he comments. “The Port Agric comes in on the national hunt tracks and the car parks.” Cut heights are 80mm on the flat, and 100mm on the national hunt tracks, the latter gradually raised up to 150mm for the start of the season. Machines are managed on an individual


basis, purchased from a range of outlets on their merits and depending on workload. Groundstaff maintain their own machines with local engineers used for major servicing. The latest addition to the fleet is an 85hp John Deere 5085M utility tractor. “We had some reliability issues with our


previous tractor and decided on a change of brand,” explains Fiona. “Ed did his homework - trying out a number of models to get the right machine!” An Iseki compact with integrated cut and


collect mower does duty on the tighter areas, while Primo Maxx growth regulator helps keep the grass under control along the rails; always a tricky area to tackle.


Head Groundsman Ed Fenwicke-Clennell


”


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PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 I 103


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