The Challenge
When 5* event rider Austin O’Connor and his team moved their operation to Alderbrook Stud in Oxfordshire, they required a number of key facilities to be implemented immediately to get up and running.
As an elite equestrian centre and home base for horses competing at the highest level, it was essential that the facilities provided safe, durable, and functional environments that could withstand daily use while maintaining a professional finish.
The first priority was to establish secure turnout paddocks, a crucial element of the team’s horse management programme. Horses at this level need regular turnout to support their physical and mental wellbeing, making the paddocks a top priority.
The site itself presented some challenges — the ground was naturally undulating, meaning careful grading and levelling were required to blend new installations into the surrounding landscape safely and attractively. Additionally, tight time constraints meant the paddocks had to be operational very quickly following the move in 2022.
The Solution
We worked with Austin and the O’Connor Eventing team to deliver the project in phases across 2022–2024, ensuring each stage supported the yard’s evolving needs.
Our fencing teams installed six large paddocks using a mix of post-and-rail and Hotcote electric fencing, complete with water supplies and troughs. Despite the undulating ground, this phase was completed in under three weeks, allowing horses to enjoy turnout almost immediately after the move.
We also built a purpose-designed lunge ring for safe exercise and to protect the main arena surface, and a multipurpose barn for hay, bedding, feed, and equipment, conveniently positioned next to the stables. A new hardstanding area now provides secure parking for horseboxes and machinery.
Our experience on busy professional yards meant we could work efficiently and safely, with minimal disruption to daily operations.
The Outcome
By 2024, Alderbrook Stud had evolved into a fully operational and beautifully finished training base for O’Connor Eventing, with facilities that matched the professionalism and standard of their international competition horses. The combination of practical design, durable materials, and seamless landscaping means the facilities not only perform exceptionally well but also sit naturally within the surrounding countryside.
This project showcases Tomley Projects’ ability to support elite equestrian operations with tailored, high-performance facilities, even under tight deadlines and complex site conditions. By combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of equestrian needs, we delivered a safe, functional, and professional environment that supports O’Connor Eventing’s world-class horses and team.
Austin O’Connor, Event Rider, O’Connor Eventing
Our experience of working with Tomley Projects was very professional from the outset. Observing the work as it went on, you knew that no stone had been left unturned, and the on site level of professionalism has been extremely good. All the work Tomley have carried out over the past three years, we’re genuinely delighted, it makes our day-to-day running so much easier. I would have no problem whatsoever recommending Tomley Projects to any equestrian or other environment.
