Brent Knoll Riding Club

July Newsletter 2007

Hello All, hope you are keeping dry in this very wet weather, at least we haven't had it as bad as RC members up north, their horses are learning to swim! Fingers crossed we don't have to postpone our Open Show.

The Area 12 Festival on the 16th/17th June at the Bath & West was quite a success, with most people enjoying their day there, some stayed for the weekend as they were competing both days. We, BK, were very much involved in the organisation and running of the festival, as always there is room for improvement and the post festival meeting will be interesting! We fielded teams in the dressage on both Saturday and Sunday but I have to say I'm not sure where they finished as the scores on the web were a little confusing! I was there Sunday and think our team was about 10th, with Lyn Pugsley & Izzy a very good 5th in their section. The scores for Saturday were incorrect as they missed one of our team off, having them as withdrawn, when the results came through to me by email, I did email them but the just got back saying must be a typing error, still trying to sort it! The Team on Saturday was Sue Francis & Chitas Lad (Elm 43) , Rachel Frost & Hans (Nov 2), Pippa Dors & Mulberry (Nov 30) and Martine Hazelton & Infinite Risk (Nov 26). Sundays team all rode Prelim 13 and they were, Rhona Glynn & Rosscon Boy, Claire Nightingale & Artillero, Lynn Pugsley & Izzy and Sally Webb & Amazing Grace. Well done to you all and Thanks for representing Brent Knoll. We can always field more teams as well as individuals in the area competitions, so anyone wanting to join in please let Laura know, the more the merrier!

The Members Only Show on Sunday 24th was really well attended with plenty of new members coming and we were so lucky with the weather being dry and warm for almost all of the day, we only had rain at the very end of a long day about 6pm, ( yes some of us were still there at 6pm!) when most were already making the journey home. The previous rain had made the going just about perfect and the showing entries were very well supported with 13 in some classes and the dressage had 19 entries in the 3 classes. The show jumping didn't really get started as we didn't have anyone to run it until the showing finished, which was about 5.30, but I know some of you were able to pop round anyway. We start late so people don't have to rush too much to get to the show and can have a nice leisurely morning getting there. We will have to start a bit earlier next year to get the showing classes over so we can fit the show jumping in, volunteers to help run things are always welcome by your committee, as they like to have a chance to bring their own horse and compete. We added a few new things this year, there were Championships for the In Hand and the Ridden classes, a Trophy for the Best Dressage percentage and a Jumping Trophy, (which is still wrapped up for next year!!) There was the usual trophy for the person gaining the most points in the day, last years winner Lyn Pugsley was very efficient and brought it back. We had a moment of panic when the dressage judge didn't arrive, so Liz Johnson kindly (well was persuaded to) judge the Walk & Trot and Prelim 1 tests and Bev Gore did the Prelim 12. Many Thanks to both for that. We hope you enjoyed your day, Thanks for supporting your club and hope you'll be coming back next year to make it another successful show. Results with this newsletter and are on the web site.

The Dressage Festival, the first one BK has run, which was held at the Hand EC was blessed with good entries and lovely weather, which considering the current climate was nothing short of a miracle! With the Hand having a serious makeover we were able to run 3 classes at once, although from a scorers point of view not sure how good that is!! Almost all the classes had very good entries, even the 2 Elementary classes had 8 and 12 entries, the Prelims were popular with 32 entries in Prelim 1 and we still had people ringing up to enter the day before. The Dressage to Music was very popular, much better than we hoped with 12 entries coming forward. Lots of people stayed to watch and each competitor got a really enthusiastic round of applause when they finished their test which was really nice. Laura Cavill and Frankie won their section with Carrie Cavill and Calypso coming second and Lyn Pugsley was 3rd in her section, well done for putting in the time and effort to do a test to music, I'm sure it takes ages to get the right music for your horse. There were 13 members from BK competing so it was nice the club was well supported. We had lots of people saying how much they enjoyed it and coming up to Thank us for running it which is much appreciated as lots of hard work goes into getting it off the ground, sorting out judges and writers for 11 classes is a big enough job and then we have to run it on the day. We can always do with HELP, so please if you have an hour or two to spare please come and offer to give someone a hand or a break, remember it's a club effort. The scores were a little behind as we didn't have anyone collecting sheets for a while and as I was busy adding up I didn't notice until there were no more sheets to add up. Bev tried to fit in 2 tests with Charlie round scoring and we both had Number overload by 6.30pm and RSI to our calculator fingers! A big thanks to, Lyn Woods and Maggie Fawcett for all the writing they did, to Lyn Nettleton, Celia and ( non member!) Claire for stewarding, Claire Nightingale and Rhona Glyn for coming back after they took their horses home, to write and collect sheets, we couldn't have managed without you all. Also a big Thank You to the person who handed in a Pink purse from it's very grateful owner.

Full results are on the web,but the BK members results are,

Class 1 Walk & Trot BKRC 2 (members only) Class 2 Prelim 4 (members only)

1st Laura Boobyer & Storm 68.42 1st Dot Godfrey & Chester 65.00

2nd Tara Millard & Arachnidphobia 67.80 2nd Lyn Pugsley & Izzy 62.22

3rd Amanda Jarvis & Harry 63.15 3rd Bev Gore & Charlie Brown 57.27

4th Stephanie Boobyer & Tasker 62.10 4th Amanda Jarvis & Harry 52.22

Open section placings for BKRC members were,

Laura Boobyer & Strom had another win this time in Prelim 1, Martine Hazelton and Infinite Risk had wins in the Prelim, 13,(the highest score of the day) Nov 20 and a 4th in Elm 41. Laura Cavill & Frankie added a 6th in Prelim 13 to their Dressage to music win. Sally Webb and Grace had a 5th in Prelim 13 and 6th in Nov 32. Dot added to her win in Prelim 4 with a 6th in Prelim 1. I hope I haven't missed anyone off!

The Open Horse trials, held at Pontispool in June had Caroline McLachlan & Amie De Dorothea, (Dotty) representing BKRC they came a very creditable 6th and have qualified or the Championships, unfortunately Carolyn is unable to compete as she has already entered a competition else were, well done to you both on an excellent result for BK.

The Badminton Horse Feeds Dressage Championships held at Badminton last week had a class for RC teams of 3, we sent a team comprising of Pippa Dors & Mulberry, Sue Francis & Chita's Lad and Martine Hazelton. The team had a great day and came 3rd. Sue was 8th and Martine 3rd individually, a big well done to you all.

The next event is our Open Show, weather permitting! At the moment we hope the Open Show will run but a decision will be made by Thursday, (deadline for add in the Western Daily Press) it will also be on the web site. We need a writer for the Dressage in the 3rd class and stewards for 2 rings in the morning and 1 ring in the afternoon, so if you can HELP YOUR CLUB for a few hours please give me a call. We are setting up on Thursday putting out rings, and doing the WH and clear round rings. The SJ course building is being done on Friday from 5pm

Weather permitting on Tuesday 31st July, at the show ground, we are running a Combined Training evening with a difference! You can do dressage or show jumping or both, so it's £5 a class or £12 for all 3, it will be run as 3 classes with scores for dressage & sj making up the CT score, a chance for you to get more of our lovely rosettes. The dressage test is Prelim 4 and sj heights are 2'3" to 2'6", start 6.30pm. Please telephone Beverly to let us know if you are coming by 9pm Monday 30th

We have arranged a social BBQ at Beverlys house in Brent Knoll, August Friday 10th family and friends welcome, cost £5 members £7.50 non. Please come and support the evening & meet us!

September trip to Dressage Championships at, Stoneleigh 13th-16th book with Bev or Hilary.

We hope to run, October Tues 2nd an Andrea Sexton Clinic & Evening Demo at the Hand. Andrea is going to do 4 clinics starting at 2.30pm, 3.45pm, 5pm & 6pm lasting an hour with 3 people it's subsidised for the members at £35, £45 non members if places are available. This will be followed by a Dressage Demo starting at 8pm and Open to all. Book with Hilary. Please note this has been postponed twice due to lack of support.

October Saturday 13th we are helping raise money for the ILPH by joining their Hoof it week, by doing something on foot, any number of feet, 2 or 4, so we are doing a sponsored walk, with or without dogs up on The Knoll at Brent Knoll with a cream tea to follow. Minimum sponsorship is £5, prize for the person or dog gaining the most sponsorship.

November Thursday 8th is the date for the AGM, a chance for you to come and let us know how you think the committee have done over the year. New ideas and committee members always welcome, the AGM is followed by the Riding Club Awards and a supper is provided, more details nearer the time.

I sent out an online petition asking the government to amend the proposed legislation about riders use of the road/cycle tracks, so please take time to send it and let the government know we are here.

I have had info about cross country clinics being held by Bill Levett at Leyland court on Aug 19th & 1st Sept, cost £35pp in groups of no more than 6, details 07795 956086. Also Saddle Exchange in W-s-M are organising a Equine Fundraising day at Horse World Sept 29th. 11am. Lucinda McAlpine is doing Intuitive Riding, there are demos in Equine massage, Equine Touch, McTimoney Therapy and plus trade stands, and talks.

Well that's it from me, fingers crossed for the Open show hope to see you there!

Hilary.

Diary Dates

July

Thursday 26th from 4pm & Friday 27th from 5pm setting up, please come and help

Sunday 29th Open Show at Lympsham

Tues 31st Combined Training evening, enter with Bev 01278 760466 by Monday 9pm please.

August

Friday 10th BBQ at Beverly's house Brent Knoll 7pm

September

Trip to the National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh, Contact Bev or Hilary 07703289129

October

Tuesday 2nd Andrea Sexton Clinic and Demo Hand EC. Hilary 07703 289129

November

Thursday 8th AGM more details to follow.