Friars Haugh

 directions
Point-to-Point:


Directions to stable yard

 Stables: Off the A699 west of Kelso. TD5 8LT

 Friars Haugh sits on the banks of the River Teviot just outside Kelso, tucked into a natural bowl of land that gives the place a quiet, self‑contained atmosphere. The course is right‑handed and undulating, with long, sweeping bends and a back straight that runs close to the river. Horses are always travelling on some kind of gradient, and the ground can ride holding early in the season, which makes stamina more important than it first appears.

The fences are proper Borders timber: solid, well presented, and demanding enough to reward horses that jump accurately. They’re spaced in a way that keeps riders honest, especially on the far side where the approaches can feel slightly downhill and horses need to stay balanced. Once they turn for home, the track opens out into a long, fair straight that encourages sustained challenges rather than short bursts. Strong travellers who jump fluently tend to do well, but the undulations mean you often see races change late as horses meet the rising ground near the finish.

The setting is one of Friars Haugh’s great strengths. The river, the woodland, and the open parkland give it a timeless feel, and on still days it can be almost serene. On windy days the course feels exposed, with the breeze rolling across the Teviot and adding an extra test of stamina. The crowd is knowledgeable and loyal, a mix of Borders farming families, hunt supporters, and point‑to‑point regulars who appreciate a track that asks proper questions without being overly severe. It’s a place where horses need to jump well, stay well, and cope with a rhythm that constantly shifts with the landscape.