BERKSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB WINTER NEWSLETTER

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1 BERKSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB WINTER NEWSLETTER Hi everyone, Winter is here with a vengeance as I write this and no doubt you are all, like me, experiencing the countless delights of keeping horses during this weather. Stumbling across deeply rutted frozen fields with a torch between your teeth, carrying feed buckets and hay whilst wearing a ridiculous assortment of clothing! Resembling a Michelin man you lurch onwards, cursing every few seconds when you twist your ankle, again, eventually delivering your precious cargo to your equally precious horse. Checking for the nth time that Dobbin is warm enough under the 4 rugs he has on, including the duvet from the spare bed at home, ( oh it s at the dry cleaners darling), breaking the foot deep ice in the water troughs with various dangerous implements and wishing you d invested in some waterproof gloves at Olympia. Oh what fun!! Despite the weather we have been quite busy over the last few months and held dressage and show jumping at Hampstead Growers where the excellent surfaces were much appreciated. We have also organised more low key training sessions, Paul Crago training sessions and Sarah Ward clinics so keep an eye on the web site for details of these and other events. The date for the Open Show is 21 st June, further details will be posted on the web site and also included with the next newsletter. As always we are on the look out for new helpers this coming season so if you have a few hours to spare please let us know, we will even throw in some vouchers for entry fees! The AGM was held back in November and Daisy Dick gave a fascinating talk on her experiences leading up to and at the Bejing Olympics which was enjoyed by all. Liz Bedingham has asked me to pass on her thanks for the lovely coat which was presented to her at the AGM. This was given in appreciation of the simply outstanding contribution Liz makes to this club. Liz we love you!! Some of you will have received this newsletter via and we are keen to do this for as many members as possible, both to keep postage costs down and to be environment friendly. For those of you who haven t but would like to, please send your details to lovegrovejane@hotmail.co.uk. Membership renewals were due in November and so those of you who haven t yet returned the forms etc to Ann Tong please do so NOW! Until next time, have fun horsing around! Calamity x

2 BERKSHIRE COUNTY RIDING CLUB MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT BUCKLEBURY VILLAGE HALL ON 7 TH NOVEMBER Present Mike Scholl, Liz Bedingham, Ann Tong, Jenny Cox, Sally Larkcom, Anna Young, Jane Lovegrove, Briony Grose, Claire Devereux, Mary-Jane Gale, Cris Howard, Sue Ball, Vicky Powley, Lorna Roger, Sara Hardy, Carol Hardy, Su Elsden, Sam Burch, Sarah Vousden, Jessamy Walker, Steven Purchell, Tara Spillman, Jan Fletcher, Megan Fletcher, Franca White, Elaine Verney-Wicks, Angela Fisher, Vanessa Sedgwick, Vicky Nowacka, Caroline Hughes, Heather Gale, Jane Allen, Maurice Allen, Alice Chamberlain, Jane Chamberlain, Jess Moody, Louise Chamberlain, Denise Small, Sue Kennedy, Sarah Howard, Karon Whenmouth, Clare Bedding, Sara McNickle, Jane Wood, Andrew Wood, Fred Few, Katrina Harris, Paul Foskett, Pauline Foskett, Jenni Hickey (Chiltern & Thames Rider), Lindy Willis, Nikki Willis, Louise North, Lesley Scutter, Hilary Scutter. 2. Apologies for Absence Vicky White, Judy Twallin, Chris Tomkins, Angela Bucknell, Sandi Smithers, Carrie Wise 3. Chairman s Report To follow 4. Liz Bedingham Team Report This year we had a new and very determined competitor, the weather!. Starting with the winter dressage championships at Hartpury, so very smart now, I left at 6.30 aware there was a risk of snow and it was already quite bad on the M4. I followed the car in front at about 35mph, but as soon as I was off the M4 it was clear but still rather cold. The Chamberlains soon arrived and Lesley Scutter was making a supreme effort to get out of Bucklebury as the snow as worse in the east of the County. Carol Hardy gave me a call to say they were still at home. I encouraged them as their neighbours had made it through, so they reloaded everything and made good time, although missing their dressage time I managed to get it delayed and Sara rode a very good test coming 5 th with 74% and Louise riding N20 with 70% came 7 th. Hilary made up the team and the team was 7 th. Now rain was our enemy although it did clear for the Festival of the Hunter. Our Senior team of Caroline Howie Finn, Martine Wilkie, Caroline Duncan, White Indian and Barry Carter with Paddy, all went clear and although there was a scare over Barry s time which they resolved, the timer was getting disturbed by people walking through the beam and so the team came 4 th. I was there the next day fence judging again and it was interesting how many Juniors fell off because their saddles slipped, apparently because of too many fluffy numnahs. Now the rain really got its act together and how they managed to keep Offchurch going I do not know. We only had an individual this year who was Anna Young with Star, Elaine her friend came to help despite her broken arm. Every time Anna got her hourse out of its stable it rained even harder, drowning her at the dressage and then next day so wet for the roads and tracks and the steeplechase, making the going very deep, they did a lovely clear round but the med took its toll making the time impossible. Anna was only just out of the rosettes. Now we go to Lincoln and more rain, so bad the photographer gave up. Despite this they all did so very well, Anna with Star individually 1 st, Claire Devereux with Flutterby individually 2 nd, Sarah Vousden with Medwyn despite pulling off two shoes and Sue Hitchcox with Super Ted both came 4 th in their arenas which gave a result of the team coming 1 st. What an achievement. I am still trying to get some photos of the presentation. The next day Louise Chamberlain was there for the Junior Novice 20 and the RT, and it was a better day but the mud was something else, but did not worry Amber Crystal coming 1 st in the RT and 3 rd in the dressage, what a wonderful weekend.

3 Now onto the L&SE Championships and still raining, a tough course for the Horse Trials which meant only a few teams got all four round clear, we had an individual 1 st with Pippa Hoit on Pride of Kildalton and Anna Young this time with Merlin came 6 th, and the riding test team of Gemma Hitchcox on Super Ted individually 1 st, Samantha Burch on Ellie NooNoo individually 2 nd and Anna and the team came 2 nd, so with the Championships finished, it stopped raining in time for the F of the H qualifier at Snowball Farm, but there was fog to start with. We started with a Junior Team of Megan Floyd with Time Bandit individually 1 st, Alice Chamberlain on Tri my Luck and Sara Hardy on Ballymore Lad = 2 nd. Holly Carter on Damian 13 th, 4 th and our individual of Ellie Floyd on Rebel Star 5 th, needless to say they won and qualified for the Championships on the 30 th and 31 st May The Novice team of Pippa, Anna, Claire and Becky Janes on Midnight Chocolate (the best name ever) all had too fast time faults. Emily Shearring also too fast and had to go as an individual. In the open section we had Sam and Su Elsden individually 5 th and 7 th and in the open we had Caroline Howie, Lisa Benson on Domino Double Six, lovely clear rounds just a few time faults probably our fault for talking about the time for the novice course too much. Barry Carter and Briony had a few too many faults but all were safe and sound. Huge thank you to all. Please contact Linda Waller for the dressage teams and me for the others. Liz Bedingham 5. Treasurer s Report To follow 6. Election of Committee Heather Urban was nominated by Sally Larkcom and Ann seconded. Julia Roberts had nominated herself and she was not at the meeting so we suggested that somebody would telephone her. 7. Marcia Freeman Cup Jan gave a brief talk about the Marcia Freeman Cup. It was to be awarded to a non-competitive member of the club that had shown some real progress over the year with their riding and for that reason it was awarded to Janice Bridger. 8. Waller/Tong Trophy In both Ann and I had a long term illness that had a major impact on our everyday lives. During our treatments we were both able to enjoy the benefits of the riding community within Berkshire County Riding Club. Ann managed to ride and compete and I was asked to judge, helping us both to maintain a sense of normality through a rather stressful time. Riding club members - even those whom we barely knew were kind and positive, quietly providing a level of support that was so helpful for both of us. The Waller-Tong trophy for Dressage is our way of expressing our gratitude to the Riding Club by recognising the support that we received. In 2008 we were delighted that Sarah Vousden, a model club and team member won the trophy. Sarah has now moved away so we are looking forward to a hot competition in Challenge Cup This year this cup was presented to Vicky White (who was not attending but had already been presented with the cup). 10. Scholl Bowl This year it went to Louise Chamberlain for her outstanding year. 11. Any Other Business Sarah Vousden presented Liz with a gift for all the very hard work she puts in during the year for all of us, we are so grateful to you Liz, thank you again. Mike nominated Daisy Dick as an Honorary Member of the club and presented her with a club badge. Jan Fletcher asked about the situation at Boomerang and the chances of still using the venue for camp etc.. Liz said that the appeal was going through and as soon as there was any news it would be put on the website. The meeting closed at 8.45pm.

4 LOW-KEY TRAINING SESSIONS We have arranged another series of low key training sessions with an experienced instructor in the outdoor school at Bournefield Farm, Union Road, Bradfield. Each session lasts about 1 ½ hours with flatwork, poles and jumping to suit any level. These sessions are an ideal way to get to know your new horse or introduce a young horse to working with others in a safe non-competitive environment and, if you are a new member, to get to know other BCRC members. The dates are: Sunday 25 January 2009 Sunday 8 February 2009 Sunday 22 February 2009 Sunday 8 March 2009 Sunday 22 March 2009 Sunday 5 April 2009 All sessions start at am and cost of 15 per person (please bring cash on the day, thank you) To book a place, please telephone Angela Bucknell on or robbinhill@lineone.net

5 Sarah Ward Clinics I have arranged some more dates for flatwork clinics with Sarah Ward. For those who haven t been before the clinics last approximately 1 hour, usually in groups of four. They are held at Church Farm, East Woodhay. The groups are of mixed ability, so everyone is welcome. Sarah is an excellent teacher and you will come away having learnt something new, worked through a problem or got that little extra from your horse. The cost is 15 per person in a group of four, however if I can only get three then may have to charge 5 extra, I will inform groups when giving out times. The dates are: Saturday 21 st February Saturday 21 st March Saturday 18 th April Please send form and cheque if you are interested in doing any of the clinics Date of clinic Name Telephone no address... Please make cheques payable to Sarah Ward (separate cheques for each clinic please), and send back with this form to:- Anna Young Grange Place Grange Lane Beenham Reading RG7 5PT Any queries please telephone Anna on or anna@northway.co.uk I will contact people regarding times a couple of days before each clinic.

6 Sarah Ward Camp Riding club camp is going to be held at Sarah Ward s yard, Church Farm, East Woodhay, again this year. The camps have proved very popular and consist of groups doing an hour of flatwork in the morning and jumping/ pole work in the afternoon. On the last day of this four day camp we may go cross country schooling but this will be to suit everyone. The dates are 18 th 21 st May. The cost is 40 per day and 15 per night stabling if required. You are all encouraged to stay on the yard in your lorries and trailers so if anyone has any ideas for the evening s entertainment please let me know. Please send me form and payment for a place on camp, numbers are limited. NAME ADDRESS. PHONE NO Please attach details of you and your horse experience wise Thanks Anna Young Grange Place Grange Lane Beenham Reading Berks RG7 5PT Any queries ring or anna@northway.co.uk

7 Paul Crago Show Jumping Clinics I have booked more clinics with Paul for the next couple of months. I hope those who have been before enjoyed them and will come again, and those who haven t will come and have a try. Paul teaches all levels and abilities and is very encouraging. The cost of the session is 15 per person for group of 4, which is great value, but rises to 20 per person for a group of three and 25 per person for a group of two. This means if you pull out and I can t fill your space I will still have to pay him your cheque. If I don t fill all spaces for a clinic then I will check with the people booked to see if they want to pay the extra or cancel. The dates are: Saturday 14 th February Saturday 28 th February Saturday 7 th March Saturday 14 th March Please send back form below and cheque for 15 if you are wish to book. Date of clinic Name Telephone no . Please make cheques payable to Paul Crago (separate cheques for each clinic please), and send to: Anna Young Grange Place Grange Lane Beenham Reading RG7 5PT Any queries please ring Anna on or anna@northway.co.uk