First horse sales to be held at Royal Leisure Centre near Henfield

The much-needed facility is being launched by South and West Country Equine Auctions, based at Kirdford. Until now the nearest horse sales have been in the Midlands and the West country.

Explained auctioneer and managing director Chris White: "This area had got nothing. The aim is to briong quality sales to West Sussex.The facilities at the Royal Leisure Centre are outstanding. There are indoor arenas where horses can be seen ridden and can be trotted up properly.

"There will be proper security guards on duty and a vet present. The venue has plenty of room for parking of horse boxes and vehicles, and lorries and trailers will be allowed. There are currently 10 stables, but we will look to providing additional temporary stabling once the sales are well established."

There will also be loose schooling facilities, which will enable buyers to assess the scope of young horses for jumping.

Chris is an extremely experienced auctioneer, having worked for other companies, and has also been involved with horses all his life.

He rode work for Royal trainer Peter Cazalet and went on to train and ride his own point to pointers and trained several winners as a permit holder under Rules.

Entries are now invited for quality horses, ponies and cobs, hunter, showjumpers and hacks for the first sale this month.

Future sales will be held at the same venue on the third Thursday of every month.

For entry forms and further details please contact South and West Country Equine Auctions Tel/Fax 01403 820666, The Workshop, Kirdford, West Sussex RH14 0NU, or email [email protected]