Lampkin Schools A Great Success

dl school 1Red Bull athlete Dougie Lampkin used the opportunity of his recent Master Class - Summer Trials School to give the next generation of young riders their wings. Now in its sixteenth consecutive year, the annual summer event headed by the twelve times FIM Trial World Champion provided tuition to a broad spectrum of riders both young and old at the hillside venue over looking Lampkin's home town of Silsden, Yorkshire.

The over subscribed two day training course took place in good weather, although the elevated location was windy at times as the predicted storms could be seen passing in the distance in the valley below. The twenty-five plus strong contingent each day enjoyed more than four hours of riding under the watchful eye of an elite group of instructors.

Dougie was joined by his own father Martin Lampkin, himself a former FIM Trial World Champion back in 1975 ; Four times national Trials champion and World number six James Dabill ; and Jack Sheppard, a previous holder of the FIM Youth Trial World title.

With the riders split into two main groups based on ability, the instructors worked tirelessly to offer their mounted pupils huge amounts of encouragement, plenty of words of advice and were eager to share their deep wealth of Trials knowledge to the assembled and highly attentive audience.

A mixture of familiar and new faces showed good progress as they worked through a structured timetable that saw each rider enjoy time with each of the illustrious instructors. A hearty lunch offered a brief pause on both of the days, and a much welcomed rest before equally rigorous afternoon sessions which were brought to a close by a pair of awesome demonstrations by Dougie, James and Jack.

All the riders who successfully completed the course were awarded certificates by Dougie and co at the end of each day, with special prizes being given to the most improved rider in their respective groups.

Speaking about the huge success of this year's event Dougie said. "It's been another couple of amazing days. I think we have had more young riders attend than ever before, which is great for the sport, and is a fantastic opportunity for me dl school 2and the other instructors to share our knowledge and to hopefully inspire the next generation of champions."

"As always James, Jack, my dad and the other instructors / helpers have done a great job. Having Ross Noble as our own resident comedian for both days was an added bonus for all and I can't finish off without a mention for big Dom who has been coming for fourteen out of the sixteen years we have been running."

Lampkin ended by saying. "Finally I would like to thank our partners and sponsors who have supported this year's event, and say how much I am already looking forward to next summer's training days."

The next Dougie Lampkin - Master Class - Summer Trials School will take place in August 2015 (exact dates TBC) and will be on sale from December 2014. Keep an eye right here on Trials Central for news.

 

Ed: We spent a very enjoyable couple of days at the Trials Schools and our thanks go to Dougie, Mart & Isobel, Jake and the rest of the crew for their hospitality. Photos from both days are available over on trialsphotos.com