Professional Landscaper Article

Two sisters, both having strong connections with the equestrian world, but in very different ways, will be joining forces at the Burghley Horse Trials in September.

Rachel Adams of Original Stone Troughs will be in the spotlight as the result of an invitation to create a special display in the Members’ Enclosure featuring an authentic stone drinking trough. However, being the centre of attention is nothing new for Rachel’s sister, Helen Bell, the international 3-day eventer who represented Great Britain at World and European Championships 1993 and 1994.

Coincidently, the sisters both married farmers, but while Helen went on to deal in horses and run a Cross Country Training centre near Thirsk, Rachel began collecting authentic stone drinking troughs as a hobby. She has now turned her hobby into a growing business. Spurred on through business generated by her website (www.stonetroughs.co.uk)

Rachel has become the leading specialist in the UK, usually offering a choice of more than 50 troughs at any time. Often more than 150 years old, authentic troughs are becoming increasingly scarce and as well as providing a superb feature, they are also a good investment for the future.

Many of the larger troughs are sold back to people with livestock or horses to become the centre pieces of refurbished stable yards or courtyards. Other country dwellers have simply put a small trough near their back door as an easy way of washing mud from Wellington boots.