Chairman’s Updates
Feb 2012
Happy New Year to you all.
It was a good turn out for the AGM and Christmas Dinner last year and we all had a jolly time.
The team get together/social evening on 19th January was well supported and it was encouraging to see so many of you signing up to show your interest in the various competitions for Mercian and Area. It was particularly pleasing to see new faces asking about the various competitions and I hope we have persuaded you all to have a go this year.
The Schedules Committee has met and arranged a variety of events for you this season. I hope the dates don’t clash too much with other events and that you will all come and support us. We think there is something for everyone. If you can help at any of them please offer before you are asked!!
To help you all keep in touch with each other Yvonne has arranged a Quiz Night on Friday 24th February and Bingo on Friday 30th March. We always have great fun at these evenings so please bring family and friends and join in the fun.
Let’s hope we have a fabulous 2012 and good luck to everyone!
From your chairman
Margaret
1st July
Well done to all competitors who have represented the club recently. There are some very good results on our results page.
I would just like to say a few words about the recent Riding Club Camp that took place at Somerford Park in Cheshire. First a huge thank you to Val and Ian for organising it again. It ran like clockwork.
We had four lessons over the weekend and could choose from dressage, show jumping or cross country. The lessons, given by Liam and Nick, were all good fun and inspiring. The grinning faces leaving the arenas bore testament to that. We all learnt something, some more than others, as we all had differing abilities to start with. It was also great fun watching other groups going through a lesson while resting between sessions ourselves.
There were some heavy showers around the area but only one group got caught out mid-lesson and they soon dried out. The only heavy rain fell during Friday night and it was fabulous lying all snug in the tent hearing the raindrops battering on the waterproof (thank goodness) tent.
Of course there was plenty of time to relax as well. The farm ride with its jumps and river splash was popular and lounging with coffee came a close second.
The evenings gave us a chance to catch up with how everyone had got on during the day and to eat and drink. Is this where I mention the 10 bottles of Pimm’s, the couple of boxes of wine and the crates of beer that were consumed, the impromptu kariokie with cucumbers, the pick the cup off the floor with your teeth competition, the staggering across the field to bed with giggles and laughter and for one, who shall remain anonymous, the being carried to bed by two kind friends!? No I don’t think I should mention any of that, it will only make you all want to come next year and those who went this year want to keep it to themselves!
Open show, 12th June
Well, what a terrible day to choose for our Open Show! I know we need the rain but why did it choose to fall on Sunday? A big thank you to those who did attend.
As you can imagine the classes were fairly small, especially the show jumping where the slick conditions made it more tricky.
Those who brought young horses or ponies for the under 4yr old class showed great dedication. Except for one very naughty 2yr old (which belongs to the chairman, and had to leave the ring) they were a credit to their owners.
The riders most at home in wind and rain may be the hunting fraternity and there was a reasonable turnout in the Working Hunter Classes. Mention must be made of Laura Beaumont who persuaded her mother to stand out in the appalling conditions for just one more Class, the 2’9” working hunter. She had the only clear round so went home with a red rosette. I must also mention the judge who turned out to be very handy at banging in posts with Helen when the wind was almost at gale force and jumps were toppling.
We are very lucky in our sport to have so many people willing to give up their time to judge and steward and put up and take down the rings, to stand in at the last minute to put on catering, to take entries, etc. etc. and I didn’t see a grumpy face all day!
From your Chairman,
Margaret
Area 18 Qualifier, 29th May
We had several teams representing the club at the Area 18 Show Jumping and Style Jumping Qualifier hosted by Malvern Riding Club on the 29th May.
A number of us had clear rounds in the first round and there was much anticipation when we started on our second rounds. Unfortunately only one of us was able to keep a zero score. Well done to Georgie Roberts who got into the jump off in the Intermediate class. Also Abbie Brain did well finishing with only 4 faults in the Open. So no Seniors jumping at the Championships in Lincoln this year.
The Eventer Challenge Championships were held at Aston Le Walls at the weekend. Tracey was disappointed with her refusal at a corner but well done to her and Majik for getting round. The Juniors did very well as you will see on the results page. Especially well done to the Pairs who won. You are Champions! Yvonne’s enthusiasm is catching!
I am short of a steward for one of the rings on Sunday 12th June so if there is anyone out there who would like to have a horsey day out please get in touch with me 01386 750657
Margaret
Last Updated (Wednesday, 15 February 2012 20:32)