Affiliated
to the British Horse Society based near Wootton Bassett,
Wiltshire
September
2011
Swindon
& District Riding Club
e-newsletter
Hello
and welcome!
Wow, what a golden summer its been for Team GBR! With the historic team gold for our dressage squad at the European Championships in Rotterdam (and individual gold for Carl Hester) OMG, I could hardly breathe as the scores emerged one by one. British riders won team gold for the first time at the European CIC** Championship held at Aston-le-Walls. A team event for European riding clubs, where our own club represented Team GBR with Caron Roberts riding her own Alley Cat III in our founding year. It was a heart-warming experience for all the supporters who went to Germany to cheer her on, and it would be wonderful to get on the European team again - so any intermediate level event riders would be welcome to join us to go for it!
The European Young Riders Eventing Championship reached its exciting climax at Blair Castle with the British team winning gold and our showjumpers won the FEI Nations Cup at Dublin Horse Show. As I write this now, our eventing team is poised to bag a medal at the Europeans in Luhmühlen. These results reflect the wealth of talent, dedication and horsemanship in this country and should be an inspiration to us all. It does not matter how much you spend on a horse, it is the partnership which scores the critical points for the winning edge, as proved by the previously unassailed Totilas.
Now to our own team competitions. Firstly a tremendous thank you to all the members who represented SDRC in the summer teams and to all the team co-ordinators. It is not easy to keep abreast of all the rules and regulations for each discipline, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the team members to check their eligibility, vaccinations and tack etc. It is all readily available in the BRC rules which are online.
Congratulations must go to our members qualifying for their respective National Championships including junior rider Lucie Humphries who will be contesting the Style Show Jumping Championship at Lincoln. Her fantastic horse Sherrie had a bit of a tumble, so she may have to sub her mum's horse. We wish Lucie and her supportive family the very best of luck. Also going to Lincoln is Vicky Davis and Wow it's Willow who have qualified for the Senior Novice Dressage Championships. Go girls!
Lynn Hawkins qualified Bubbling Under for the Open Dressage Championship at Lincoln but have elected not to make the long journey on her former racehorse. Congratulations to Julia Iles and Norman the Strawman, in their first year of trying, they qualified for the Dressage to Music National Championship in Liverpool. They will be making the trip up in early October, so good luck!
Our team co-ordinators
are calling for members to put themselves forward for novice winter dressage and
show jumping teams - junior and senior.
These will be our first area qualifiers in our new area - so best hooves forward! If you would like to have a
go, put your name forward and attend the training, even
if you aren't ready to compete for the club this year you
will know what work you need to put in before the summer competition
season.
We
have booked 3 December for our Christmas Party at Stanton House. It is a fabulous venue, so book
your place early.
Last but by no means least tremendous thanks to Tam Thornton for not only running the Area
Qualifier at Swaycliffe, but also for organising our very first RC ODE held at Rabson Manor on 31st July. It was a runaway success and I am sure Tam would want to join me in thanking everyone who helped on the day. Caron Roberts and David Graham were also tireless in their support and instrumental in co-ordinating the jumping phases on the day. We have some press coverage in the Ridgeway Rider, so I can only reiterate a very big thank you to all!
It doesn't stop there, we are scheduled to hold the area qualifier for open dressage at Caron Roberts Equestrian next year, so Tam is going to hand over the running of next year's SDRC ODE. The task falls neatly into four sections: dressage, show jumping, cross country and catering. Please contact Tammy
Thornton if you would like to head up one of these sections.
We
have lots of new dates for training. Our clinics are designed
to provide groups for all levels - so give it a go!
BHS
and BRC Website It includes all
the current BRC National Competitions and the latest offers
available to all BRC Members. Plus a lot more information
including the
rule book, championship competitor times and results.
You
have received this email because you have elected to receive
your riding club newsletter electronically. If you feel
you have been sent this email in error or would like to
opt out of future email newsletters from us please unsubscribe
by contacting general@swindonridingclub.co.uk.
Website: www.swindonridingclub.co.uk
What a day! Our first One Day Event at Rabson Manor - 31 July
Look out for our event report in the September Ridgeway Rider magazine. Do you recognise the 'Cheshire Cat' on the cover? Its our very own Dee Western riding Kinneagh Flyer. Our cover girl said "52 yrs old, first event for 14 yrs and I make the front page! I do have the most wonderful horse though!"
“Congratulations to all those who organised the day - I competed and everything ran like clockwork, so thank you!” said thrilled new member, Rita West who completed with her horse Millie. Comments like this were welcomed by Tammy Thornton, the event organiser, and Caron Roberts, the club chair. They both worked tirelessly in the months, weeks and days leading up to the event. It was worth every minute as the supremely well organised day made for a fabulous, fun and friendly atmosphere for everyone.
Held at Rabson Manor, by kind permission of George and Gill Horton, the event was a resounding success drawing over 160 riders to compete for great prizes sponsored by Rabson Manor, 1st Class Images, Caron Roberts Equestrian, The Old Dairy Saddlery, Ashley Feeds, and Countrywide. The beautifully built cross-country course starting with 2’3”-2’6” classes presented a great range of fences and gradually increased the questions asked, and while kind to horses in that only one section was timed, it rewarded accurate riding.
The day got off to a cracking start with lively competition in the junior novice class from budding young event riders. Painted Runner flew round the cross-country course with Florrie Deasy adding nothing to their dressage score so they could not be caught by their rivals. Florrie has just started competing at BE level, so this was great experience for the combination to start going up the grades.
Carol Wright and Rebels Kiss won the restricted novice with a well executed dressage test which kept them ahead of the opposition despite a few time penalties on the timed section of the cross-country.
Nuala Dunne, a member of Kings Leaze Riding Club, posted the best dressage score in the novice section with Woolaston Anastasia, and won the class with a clear jumping sheet.
The restricted open over the 2’9-3’0” course, drew the largest entry of the day, but Mel Rowland’s dressage score on Gambit was good enough to win despite a few penalties in the show jumping arena. Mel has been competing at BE 90 on her 13-year-old gelding.
The day culminated with a convincing win in the open section by What a Star, who certainly lived up to his name, ridden by Chloe Cardy-Stewart.
After a splendid day’s sport, Tammy said ‘Our first ODE went without a hitch and was enjoyed by all as well as being bang on time.’ Swindon & District Riding Club’s enthusiastic members and their friends and families all worked together on the day to make sure competitors received a warm welcome and everything ran smoothly from parking to prize giving. Full results here!
Our friendly photographer, Colin Baird at 1st Class Images captured all the action at the event. Visit the website to see all the jumping shots.
The volunteers were so well looked after that they are already champing at the bit to help out next year. Caron Robert’s added “We could not have done it without you, so huge thanks to everyone!”
Thank you to:
Tam Thornton - Chief everything!
Caron Roberts - Many things but chief SJ steward on the day
David Graham - TD & chief XC steward & control on the day
Linda Clow,
Helen Marsden, Anna, Sam Rowland & writer, Rocky Massie - delightful dressage judges
John H, Phil Newberry, Kerry Alexander & Janet Stares - Steward & Tack inspectors
Jenny - Writer & catering
Jackie Murphy - Secretary & writer
Amber Dunham - Writer & XC gate/steward
Wendy lapington - Writer & fence judge
Louise Cattermole & Paul(Gibby) - SJ commentators
Jo Durston - radio, sj scorer & timer
Sue & Kerry Alexander - SJ steward / start
Sam & Emma & Gibby - SJ arena party
Toni Besley -Secretary
Caroline Bell, Wez, Margaret & Ian Miles- Scorers (with special thanks to Ian and Margaret who did the most fantastic job scoring the xc penalties and Caroline for military precision and stoicism)
James - Start & very smiley lorry parking (happy shirt too!)
Jo Hadfield - Secretary
Sue Foord & Lisa Hudson - XC starters
Sally Humphries & Friend, Kim, Eleanor & Dave Newman, Christine Beavis and Karen Lucas, Jackie Lee & daughter, Amy Mawson & husband, Sharon Smith & Francis Stokesberry, Nikki Allen & Emily, Tammi Titcombe & Shelley Hoyland, Rachel Beechey, Amber Dunham, Danni Beach, Wendy Lappington - XC Jump judges
Paul Thornton & Pete - Quad runners
Mac (Tam's dad) for amazing bacon rolls and hot and cold running refreshments for all volunteers. Champion job!
Jenny, Tiffany Lay, Jo Andreson, Anne Fletcher (thanks for the amazing quiche!!) - Refreshments
Go team! Area 9 qualifiers
We are looking forward to competing in the first area qualifiers for the newly formed area 9. Our first qualifier will be for the Eventers Challenge on 2nd October at Urchinwood. Contact Tammie Titcomber ASAP if you are interested, we will book a cross-country training session for team members.
Quickly followed by the Winter Indoor Novice Show Jumping at West Wilts EC on November 13th. This competition is for senior and junior teams of four riders (no individuals in the Winter competitions) with the first round at 80cm and the second round at 85cm, with a jump off in round three for qualifying competitors. Eleanor is really keen to get at least one team to take forward to this qualifier for seniors and Sally would like to get a junior team together so get yourself to the training sessions with Caron. See our event diary for dates, and contact team co-ordinators
NOW!!
The selection process for the Winter Indoor Dressage is about to start too so get yourself to the training and let the respective team co-ordinator know you are keen to participate.
Two team members do Prelim 18 (2002) and two do Novice 24 (2010)
Good luck to all our girls going to the Nationals:
Lucie Humphries - Junior Style Jumping at Lincoln
Vicky Davis - Novice Dressage at Lincoln
Julia Iles - DTM at Liverpool
Keep us posted and pics please!
Fancy a job! Co-ordinating next year's ODE This successful event will only be able to go ahead with your help!
The co-ordination of next year's one day event will be split into four areas of responsibility. If you would like to head up a section, hard work but fun and a brilliant way to meet lots of new people, then contact Tam ASAP as we need to get everything in place to book the venue again.
Click on the links below to see the job details for each category.
If you cannot open these attachments (docx) please contact Tam she has the originals.
Do not hesitate to contact Tam if you have any questions, she will be more than pleased to chat about what it involves.
SDRC Summer Camp
at Caron Roberts Equestrian Report by Lindsay Cook
I thoroughly enjoyed the SDRC camp at Lanes Farm last Sunday. Fifteen of us attended and we were split into 3 well matched groups. Caron Roberts and Helen Marsden were our instructors who put in a lot of hard work and had planned a well thought out day to include, flatwork, jumping, theory, practical and a quiz.
With the first session starting at 9am on a lovely morning, we were all keenly tacked up, mounted and ready to start ahead of schedule. Our group started the day with Helen in Caron’s newly surfaced spacious school, working on our flatwork. After introductions we were all put at ease and worked in open order. Helen gave us lots of individual help and support and soon got the measure of us all. Working with the emphasis on transitions we worked hard and all the horses went well and there was a visible improvement in each of us by the end of the session. Helen was very encouraging and helpful; we all went away with things to work on.
We put our horses away for a well earned rest and a munch on a haynet, grabbed ourselves a much needed drink and homemade cake/biscuits which had been kindly donated by some of the members. Then into the classroom with headmistress Roberts (only jokingJ) who led our theory session on points to consider when buying a horse. This soon became a great group discussion with everyone chipping in with ideas and thoughts; it was a relaxed atmosphere and very thought provoking. Leading on from this Helen gave us a practical session on what to look for in conformation, with the help of Caron’s lovely young dressage horse. Who proved to be a model guinea pig and very patient whilst he was scrutinised. By then it was time for lunch and a good chance to mingle and get to know each other.
After lunch our group got ready for our jumping session with Caron. Entering the field with trepidation there were many different options of jumps set up and we all became a little quiet! Caron explained we were going to jump a cross pole to start, then analyse and feedback on what we had done which would help us decide which jump we moved on to next. After our warm up we gathered round and tentatively gave our feedback after each turn, before long we found our voices and were actively offering comments on ourselves and each other. We were soon moving on to the next option of jump and improving each time, as Caron would say “tick the box and move on”. We all finished with smiles on our faces and very happy with what we achieved, each leaving with our individual homework. Caron has great flair to get you going and give you confidence, she is very encouraging and always very supportive, making you feel at ease and never compromises the safety and ability of you or your horse.
Our last session was to complete our quiz on the theory and practical sessions. When all the groups had finished it was time for the quiz results, all 3 groups had tied with 100% so it was taken to a sudden death question. "What's another name for the shoulder blade?" Nic Davies was quick to answer and won a lesson for her group, well done to Group 2.
It was a great day, the weather was kind to us and a good chance to spend a day with your horse and meet lovely new people with a common interest. Very many thanks to Caron and Helen for their hard work. I look forward to doing it again next year or sooner if the opportunity arises!
There are a few snaps on Swindon Riding Club Group on Facebook.
Downgrading
Horses
Please remember, if you are downgrading for a specific
qualifier, the application form must reach BRC 21 days before
the qualifier date or you may not receive a decision in
time to compete. Applications must be accompanied by a covering
letter and the full competition record for the horse. All
downgrading applications will
reopen 1 Oct 2011.
Reminder:
Flu Vaccination Rules
In order that BRC remains current in its approach towards
Equine Flu Vaccinations it has just undertaken a review
of the current system in conjunction with The Animal Health
Trust. Under the guidance of Richard Newton it has updated
its flu vaccination rules, these will be detailed in the
2011 Rulebook. However in summary providing that a horse
has been given the first two vaccinations correctly and
there are no errors in the annual vaccinations for the past
five calendar years then the horse will be accepted for
BRC qualifiers and Championships.
For sale, loan, wanted and services We do not charge advertisers and inclusion does not endorse, recommend or imply any approval of products or services.
Visit this page to view items for sale, loan, wanted etc.
And
finally.. very important notice Cheques
for clinics and all other events must state your name, horse,
event title & date on the back and be made payable to
Swindon Riding Club. Sorry
to nag again but it takes ages to guess what your cheques
are for!!
Did you get the answer to the sudden death question? Scapula
