Ditcheat's famous Hill Gallop covers just short of four-and-a-half furlongs in length but climbs a staggering 232 feet.  Drainage is a big problem on such an incline so the gallop is placed over and flanked by plenty of land drainage. The gallop itself is constructed with Martin Collins EcoTrack surface.  It is six inches thick throughout and is laid on a porous tarmac base.  The gallop is fenced and white railed both at the start and on the brow of the hill.  The horses commence training for each season in July performing one canter a day.  They then build up and increase work to do a maximum of three repetitions daily through the following weeks and months.  This intense interval work builds up stamina as well as muscle and is the basis of all our horses' work. As part of the ongoing improvements here at Ditcheat, during summer 2011 The Hill Gallop had a top up of three inches of Martin Collins' EcoTrack. Home Shop Horses News Stables Gallery Contact Winners Sitemap Links