Welcome to the Gate Riding Club

The Gate Riding Club got its name from the public house of the same name in Nether Whitacre. Although today’s permanent showground is on Coton Lane, Whitacre Heath. The Riding Club held its first show in a field by the pub, owned by Mr Fred Dale. It was originally started as several local families had ponies and wanted a Gymkhana type event. Mr Jack Wassal, organised the inaugural show on Remembrance Day in November 1959. Jack owned a shoe shop chain and financed much of the club’s activities in the beginning. At the start equipment was borrowed until the club was in a position to buy its own. Six experimental shows were tried in 1960 and it was at the second of these shows that Mrs Kath Lapworth helped the secretary and subsequently became the club secretary from 1964. Mr Pete Lapworth first started his involvement by undertaking the announcing and so began an association with the club which was to last until Kath and Pete retired from the club in 2014.

At the beginning the club shows ran from 12 to 8pm, meaning a long day for the course builder, Dave Terry. By the late 1960’s the club was expanding and moved to its present location in Coton Road. At the time the site was owned by Mr Frank Hill who was also the first chairman of the club. Pete Lapworth became treasurer but soon added course builder to his list of titles, after being trained by Dai Williams.

The field was eventually purchased by the Club and continues to run shows from March to October offering a variety of classes for all levels in show jumping, showing, dressage and combined training.

Many competitors and supporters are the children of our members who competed at The Gate in previous years.

There is always a warm welcome for faces old and new!