E A S T D O W N B R A N C H O F T H E P O N Y C L U B SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER JUNIORS AND SENIORS Welcome to a new 2017 season with the East Down Branch. Well done to all the children and parents who came along to Prize Night in January. It was good to see so many parents and children attending. Hopefully most of you caught the excellent coverage in the local press afterwards too. Now is the time to encourage friends and potential younger members to join the Branch. Prize Night gave everyone the opportunity to say a big thank you to Peter Dewdney for all his hard work as treasurer over the past number of years. Wendy Findlay is taking over as the branch s new Treasurer. Another farewell goes to Donna Quail as Joint DC. Donna has asked that we pass on this message; After much thought I have decided to step down from my role as Joint DC with the Branch. I have enjoyed my time as DC immensely and have been very proud of all the members achievements during my term. I wish the Branch continued success. Donna has been a stalwart of the Committee for a number of years and much of the current strength within the club is down to her, serving on Committee and as Secretary and latterly as Joint DC. Donna remains on the Committee to keep us right and we thank her sincerely for all her hard work to date. Alison Bissenden remains as DC and we welcome Dera Watson as Secretary. A full list of Committee members and their roles can be found on the main EDPC web page under Contacts. Please note that the East Down One Day Event (ODE) will be upon us very soon and we will be asking for volunteers to help prepare, help on the day and to clear up. 1
See below some key dates that are coming up over the spring and Easter period. We look forward to seeing you all. Joint Senior/ Junior Rallies Flatwork Rally at Riverhill Equestrian with Jonathan Steele Book with Andria Cleland 07896415586 Cost 10 SJ Rally at Riverhill Equestrian with Jonathan Steele Book with Andria Cleland 07896415586 Cost 10 General Rally at Maymore House with David Kirkpatrick Book with Andria Cleland 07896415586 19/2/17 26/2/17 12/3/17 Cost 10 Joint Senior/ Junior Training at Eric Pele Equestrian SJ Training at Eric Pele Equestrian Book with Richard Truesdale 07824636412 Cost 15 (4 riders per session) 13/2/17 Junior Rallies Lessons Riding Centre, (indoor) Saintfield Book with Catherine Sharvin 07834558957 10 Maymore House Book with Catherine Sharvin 07834558957 10 Maymore House Book with Catherine Sharvin 07834558957 10 Saturday 11/2/17 Sunday afternoon 26/3/17 Thursday Evenings 6 th April 2017 13 th April 2017 27 th April 2017 4 th May 2017 18 th May 2017 25 th May 2017 8 th June 2017 15 th June 2017 PRE CAMP RALLY 2
PONY CLUB CAMPS We are beginning to plan Pony Club Camps again this year. Provisional dates are as follows: Senior Camp at the Downpatrick Racecourse starting on 1 st July (Saturday). Junior Camp 1 st July 3 RD July 2017 at Tullymurray Equestrian Camp Survey You will see links to our EDPC Parents Camp Survey popping up in your emails and on Facebook. We are trying to get some constructive feedback on what works well and what you would like changed with regard to camp. We may not be able to act on all the suggestions but will be grateful for your time and help filling this in. Please could you fill in your responses within the next 2 weeks. Tetrathlon News TET CAMP Get your bookings in for the Easter Tetrathlon Camp at Campbell college dates 12th - 14th April Cost of course - 160 This is an amazing residential course with expert coaching in swimming, running, shooting and sports psychology. Suitable for all kids aged 10 and up. If interested speak to Wendy Findlay 07814722629 SWIMMING AT DOWNPATRICK POOL Remaining Swimming dates at Downpatrick Pool remember your goggles and caps. Keep an eye out for FB updates as Greg Dunlop and Jim Erskine will also be arranging running and shooting on these dates. 5 February 19 February 5 March 3
Next Triathlon Qualifier Dressage AREA 17 DRESSAGE TRAINING DAY With Alison Mastin Moore Laurel view - 18 February 2017 Limited to 4 riders per lesson. Novice, Regional level - 2 x 1hour sessions (10:30 am- 11:30, & 11:30am - 12:30) 15 Very Novice/Younger level (1:15pm -2:00) 12 Intermediate level (2:00pm 3:00) 15 Open level (3:00pm -4:00) 15 Places limited so if interested, pass name to Alison Bissenden as soon as possible. ** Please note that if you wish to book lessons with Nicola Manningham-Buller, you should do so in a private capacity and should contact Nicola directly.** 4
DENGIE DRESSAGE AND SHOWJUMPING Show Jumping Remaining Dengie qualifiers nearby: Please see individual clubs www for more details - Always check with the venue before setting off! Your last chance to have a crack at this. Well done to all who have already qualified and good luck for the Finals! Iveagh host SJ/DR @ Meadows Sunday 5th February Mid Antrim host SJ@Connell Hill Friday 10th February East Anrtim host SJ/DR@Connell Hill Sunday 12th February Iveagh host SJ @ Portmore Saturday 18th February SJ Final 4th March 2017 Portmore Equestrian Centre Entries to Mrs Jennifer Leonard, 115 Claragh Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 4UA Tel: 079 7980 5979 Dressage Final 25 th February 2017 Danescroft Equestrian Centre Entries to Rose De Courcy Wheeler 4 Ballyblaugh Road Newry BT341RR Tel. 07788710325 Email rose@decourcy-wheeler.com Please remember entry forms should be signed by the branch DC, or they may not been accepted. YOUR HELP NEEDED East Down One Day Event 17/4/16 Please hold this date if you can for the main fundraiser of the year the EDPC One Day Event to be held at Tyrella this Easter Monday. More on this to come! 5
GET YOUR VALETINES DANCING SHOES ON East Down Valentines Hunt Ball takes place in the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa. Arrival 7.30pm followed by Dinner and Dancing till late!!. Music by ** This Way Up** - Tickets 50.00 - Black Tie. Contact Donna Quail for tickets. How to Improve Cross Country Riding PC AREA 17 TRAINING COURSE The Pony Club, along with BHS are holding a training evening (CPD) with Yogi Bresner on 24 February at Laurelview, Templepatrck. 7 pm - 10 pm This will also count as a CDP. Book via the attached link: https://signedevents.com/united-kingdom/ballyclare/coach-cpd-how-to-take-xc-one-stepfurther-with-yogi-breisner/ This is useful for everyone and might be of interest to potential B test members too. PC TEST TRAINING B TEST East Down and North Down branches are joining to run B test Stable Management training, starting in late February. Sessions will be 2 hours long, once a month at David Kirkpatrick's. We would be aiming to do the theory test around September 2017. If you have passed your full C+ test and would like to start working towards the B test, please pass your name to Dera Watson by 10th Feb. Dates and costs will be firmed up when numbers are finalised. http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/tests_and_achievements/efficiency_tests/b_standard_riding/ D+ TEST East Down will be running D+ Test training in March If you are interested in taking part and gaining your D+ test please Contact Roz Murphy 07856719025 http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/tests_and_achievements/efficiency_tests/d_plus_standard/ LAST WORD Keep an eye out for updates on all PC activities via Facebook and email. Please also remember to get your Membership renewals in ASAP. You can now pay via bank transfer if this is easier. Please be sure to note your family name and the word Membership on your payment and let Rosemary Campbell and Wendy Findlay know that you have paid. (EDPC ACCOUNT Details: Sort Code: 98 05 40 Ac No: 21372081) Looking forward to seeing you all out and about this Spring! 6