International showjumper Jamie Gornall is certainly a force to be reckoned with and he has nailed his colours firmly to the mast. Only the finest facilities and most illustrious bloodlines are enough to make his heart beat faster and, as a founder of Gornall Equestrian, he has created one of the very best training yards in Europe – and built up an enviable gene pool of showjumping talent.

Based at Home Farm, Kirk Hammerton, in England's North Yorkshire countryside between the historic city of York and the beautiful spa town of Harrogate, Gornall Equestrian was established as part of Jamie's mission to create the perfect environment for elite competition horses to thrive and achieve their full potential.

His analytical approach to horsemanship and his commitment to the happiness and wellbeing of equines have helped to shape and influence the yard and its training regimes. Jamie's time spent in Germany riding with Olympic gold medallist Ludger Beerbaum has also played a key role.

It's hard to believe that this impressive set-up, sporting the highest-specification fittings and equipment, was a once a slightly faded Victorian dairy farm in need of some serious TLC when it was bought by Jamie and his wife, interior designer Averil Blundell.

The couple have succeeded in breathing new life and energy into the place, and today there are 19 large and airy stables, with great ventilation and thoughtful design that allows horses to remain visible to one another. The yard's stable complex includes a solarium, huge tack room and a laundry to take care of all the yard's daily cleaning requirements.

Star of the yard is undoubtedly a fabulous 35 x 60m indoor riding arena, with its unwaxed surface on an Andrews Bowen Equaflow system favoured by the Global Champions Tour series. A suite of luxurious viewing rooms, styled and decorated by Averil, allows owners to enjoy watching their horses' progress in comfort.

There is also a large grass arena and an all-weather gallop track encircling the area is perfect for supporting aerobic fitness. All horses – including stallions – are allowed to express natural behaviour in a series of individual turnout paddocks.

To continue his quest for excellence, Jamie has surrounded himself with a high-calibre team of experienced trainers and practitioners. He has hand selected the best vets and farriers in Europe, who understand the needs of top competition horses.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Jamie is highly ambitious and relentless in pursuing his next goal – to share the resources he has so carefully developed with others. Gornall Equestrian offers a bespoke boarding arrangement with separate stable block and tack and feed rooms, and access to the yard's professional team, for riders seeking to step up a level and/or those seeking a base in England for the summer.

The yard is perfectly placed for riders wishing to compete throughout Europe, with easy access to the Hull ferry terminals. There is also the opportunity to travel with the team to international shows.

Riders and breeders with an interest in Gornall Equestrian will be able to have an exclusive insight into how the yard operates when members of the public attend an open day on 14 April. They will also have the opportunity to see Jamie's stunning competition horses, many of which are available as breeding stallions throughout the 2018 season.

The event will include talks from world-renowned reproductive veterinary surgeon James Crabtree, of Equine Reproductive Services, and Gornall Equestrian's nutritional partner, Connolly's Red Mills.

Industry experts will also attend the event to provide visitors with advice on an array of equine-related topics, including feeding and breeding. Open day tickets are priced at £10 plus booking fee and should be bought online at gornallequestrian.com in advance.

“We are tremendously excited about the day and really looking forward to sharing what we have created,” said Jamie. “It didn't just happen by chance – it has taken a great deal of hard work by everyone involved and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. We can't wait to provide our visitors with an insight into how we do what we do to produce and manage these amazing competition and breeding horses.”