Topaz and I had a wonderful time at our Spring Show, beautifully organised by Jill Perrior and her team. It was very much lastminute.com for me. I was going to be away for Easter, then my plans changed so I could go to the show, but we had so few helpers I decided I would have to help park lorries and trailers instead. I put a plea out for help and you fantastic lot were brilliant, thank you so much, it really made a huge difference.
Read MoreI start with some sad news; many of you will remember Liz Alsop who died very suddenly in February. Liz was a great friend and instructor to a lot of BHRC members and will be greatly missed. BHRC will be sending representatives and flowers to her funeral on Monday.
Following a chance remark, a lengthy email conversation and a deep breath, BHRC have decided not to use certain arenas anymore. We have been kindly offered friends arenas in the past for training and had thought as it was members only, BRC insurance would cover us - we have since found out it is a ‘grey area!’ Obviously, we don’t want to put friends, committee members or arena owners in the position of being sued on our behalf, so we won’t be using some venues that we have used in the past.
Read MoreSo What's In A Name?
Many of you will know that there is a motor racing theme to the names of all of my animals as I love motorsport, particularly F1. When I bought Monte he was known as Puzzle, but this was the name given to him at the yard selling him. A good enough name for a coloured, but obviously not one that was going to fit in with my theme. He had a passport with the most unfortunate & unlikely name of Holly Grail & there was no way that I was going to be calling him Holly so I decided to change his name. Now many people believe its bad luck to change a horses name but as Holly wasn't an option & Puzzle had only been a recent name for him I felt there was not much choice.
Read MoreHappy New Year, on a very damp January night. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and Santa brought you everything you wished for - Topaz got a rosette display board in anticipation of our future events together; Kate said it is not big enough!
Read MoreChairs report, 2023 AGM I find writing and delivering this speech one of the most daunting tasks of being your chairwoman. However, I can have a little fun with it as it is the one thing that isn't censored before 'going live' unlike everything you read in the newsletters which passes by Trish first - who is now panicking as to what I'm about to say next!
Read MoreBHRC is still busy, busy, busy! I spent last Saturday at Pontispool with 6 members and their lovely horses. Emma Pearce had organised mini cross country training with the fabulous Nicki Lumb. Although a little damp, it didn’t dampen our spirits and everyone had a great time and grew in confidence.
Read MoreSunday 1st October found Topaz and I at the BHRC Autumn show at Heazle. During the many hours I have spent gazing at Topaz in adoration, it had dawned on me that he needed to be plaited if he is going to a show. I last plaited 20 years ago when my daughter was showing ponies, so I thought I may be a bit rusty!
Read MoreI became secretary of the BHRC in 2010 and as I was keen and eager back then, I asked members what they wanted from the club. The overwhelming answer was a Summer Camp! The club had previously run camps at local XC venues, but these had become so popular, the owners of said venues kept the best dates for themselves and charged accordingly. The onus was also on cross country riding, great, unless you are a wimp like me and don’t want to jump, just hack, do a bit of schooling and socialise. I put the idea on the back burner.
Read MoreI have just had a fascinating meeting with a lady called Pat who was great friends with the BHRC Chief instructor in the 1980’s; her name was Ann Ewing.
The Blackdown Hills Riding Club was formed in 1972 and was huge! 150 members and almost half of those were children, starting from 4 years old. By 1993, however, the club had just 6 members and the Area Rep called an Extraordinary General Meeting to see if there was any interest in the club continuing! Luckily for all of us, there was. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Read MoreWe are busy, busy, busy; now the ground has dried out. I was fence judging at Pontispool last week-end and it was very dusty!
Topaz and I have started to explore the outside world; the first time Uncle Sauber came along but as Topaz really didn’t bother about having company, the next time we went solo. He was such a good boy and I am having a huge amount of fun with him. I am hoping to take him out to a couple of parties over the summer
Read MoreWell, another few months have passed since our last update on Monte and since then we have had the arrival of Topaz at the yard just before Xmas. This completely turned Monte's world upside down - he hates change - and from the moment little Topaz (as he was then!) stepped off the lorry, Monte made it very clear he was not welcome by kicking his stable to pieces.
Read MoreAnyone living in the Blackdown Hills has witnessed strange sounds and odd things happening during the early part of March. Phrases like “it’s not my fault you have 4 white socks; its warm water on your tail; I know you smell like a girl;”
Read MoreThis newsletter is HUGE! We have an eager committee who have booked the BHRC diary up to the end of September! There are a few gaps which will be filled in with our show jumping league and some additional training dates.
Read MoreIn the last 3 weeks Topaz and I have played ‘dancing on Ice’ and ‘synchronised swimming.’ Things seem to have calmed down a little and he is now singularly playing ‘life of a hippopotamus!’
Plans are well on their way to offer you all lots of activities this year; the Spring Show schedule is further down this newsletter. We would be very grateful for lots of help as it can be a long day! Either email Jill or myself and we will get back to you - thank you in advance.
Emma has started our on-line quiz (I have already scored ‘nil point’) and the first photos of this year for the photography competition (winter weather) have been wonderful. Results are being decided as I type. This is free to enter for any current BHRC member.
Read MoreA belated Happy New Year to you all. The committee has held its first meeting of 2023 and we are raring to go!
My beautiful Topaz arrived at Kate’s during the middle of December and has settled extremely well into life at Pleasant House. He adores Sauber, is in awe of Monte and has been led astray by the donkeys! He also chews EVERYTHING; Kate has bought shares in Cribbox. As his education continues I will let you know how we are progressing and I am sure we will be out and about this summer, please come and say ‘hello’. If you have ideas of things you would like us to put on for you this year, let me know.
Deana has plans for training but it was not very well attended last year. Area training has also been less popular; let me know your thoughts. Enjoy your horses, spring is just around the corner - honest. Tricia x
Read MoreThis has been another difficult year for many of our members with the loss of their beloved four legged friends. Hopefully those of you affected have found friendships amongst the club to get you through these times and we will see you out and about next year.
We had a tremendously busy year which saw the introduction of the very popular show jumping league. I can't stress enough how grateful we are to all of those who volunteer their time to help out at these events - we really can't do it without you.
Read MoreIt was lovely to see so many of you at Daresdown at the end of October, many thanks to the Henderson family for making us so welcome. The BHRC year will end in its traditional way with the AGM and Christmas party.
Read MoreWe have had an extraordinary busy September and October, hence a very full newsletter! We have held dressage, show jumping, a showing show and a stud visit; you cannot say BHRC does not offer value for money. We have our tack sale next weekend at Daresdown Tackshop, by kind invitation of the Henderson family and we shall round the year off with our usual Christmas Party and AGM, ready to start it all again in 2023. A huge thank you yet again for the help received at our various events this year. It would be a very quiet riding club without you!
Read MoreWe have a busy few weeks coming up; this weekend is our postponed dressage and our new show jumping event, both at Paddocks. We have our Autumn Show the following weekend followed by an exclusive visit to Star Andalusians. This is where a certain beautiful colt foal was born back in June! More details below. Thank you to those who have answered our plea for help and stepped up to the plate, those not able to offer this time, fear not, there will be plenty more opportunities!
Read MoreWe have 68 members & of those just 25 have helped out at our events so far this year - most of them multiple times!
We have a limited number of committee members that can attend these events & with the busy calendar that we have provided for you, it is left to those few & a handful of reliable members that do their best to help out.
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