In 1987, one of us fell in love with a Tractor, can you guess who?
Our story.
The start.
In 2004 Dawn returned to the family farm in Yorkshire to begin the Equestrian Diversification project from West Cumbria. The project began a small full livery yard in 4 converted calving boxes on the farm.
Demand for full livery was high in the area as being in the Manchester to Leeds commuter belt, 10 minutes from the M62, plus the high level of horse care practised.
Plans for expansion were produced and passed to develop the Farm into Turbury Equestrian Centre which hosted horse shows, Showcross, unaffiliated Dressage and Show Jumping competitions, also many multi discipline training clinics ranging from Le Trec, Natural Horsemanship, Side saddle, Polocross, cross country and much more. ‘Seeing the smiling happy faces leaving Turbury on competition and training days made the hard work organising events well worth it.’
The business then.
Having met Andrew before the moving back to the family farm in Yorkshire from Cumbria, he decided he liked the sound of the project. He has always had an interest in farming spending most of his childhood helping on the neighbouring dairy and sheep farm.
Although a tree surgeon by trade which kept him very busy, he always made time to help with big jobs on the farm and Equestrian Centre. Though his favourite jobs involved tractor work – pasture management – chain harrowing, rolling and silaging; leading trailers of grass into the silage pit and bales of haylage for the horses on livery and to sell to local Equine market.
His favourite job was levelling the Indoor and Outdoor Arenas with his MF135 tractor. Not always the most straight forward of jobs as frequent schooling, lungeing and jumping lead to significant ruts and divots which he expertly levelled. He had a great rapport with the Liveries often helping them with any issues they had with their own vehicles and the odd rogue garden tree!
The business now.
When my parents decided it was time to retire, the farm was sold, which lead to the closure of Turbury Equestrian Centre. Andrew and I moved to pastures new in Bishop Auckland, County Durham with plans to purchase our own small holding. Following delays due to covid lockdowns we found great land at Marwood near Barnard Castle and Percy Beck Farm was formed.
We are investing on past experience to open a grass and retirement livery business in a peaceful and relaxing environment.
We also offer sheep grass let to neighbouring farmers. The sheep help keep the grass and worm burden down in Spring, Summer and Autumn so the horses do not suffer from related illnesses.
We make and sell our own haylage which ensures our grass and retired liveries are eating the same quality of grass they graze daily.
Future plans include wild flower margins and keeping bee hives, harvesting the honey.