March Newsletter
This, believe it or not, is a show cob. Any resemblance to a hippopotamus is purely coincidental. Gem and I are heading to the BHRC Spring Show in less than 3 weeks. Yes, I know she is happy, healthy and content. I know Kate looks after her beautifully and she loves her donkeys and Sauber very much but;
SHE IS FILTHY!
Karen Court – she has been standing on her head again!
That said, I do have a Snuggy hood and industrial strength washing up liquid; all is not lost!
There is a lot in this newsletter, and even more on the BHRC website – blackdownhillsrc.co.uk. Emma is doing a sterling job keeping it up-to-date so please check it out.
Details of our Summer Camp are also below – the first 16 to pay their deposit will have a place.
We have been asked to organise a member’s fun ride. You may have possibly heard my heart drop at the thought of the risk assessment I will have to compile, but we haven’t had one for several years, so when the ground does finally dry out – early summer – we promise!
Clear round jumping will also start when we can park on a field and not experience that sinking feeling.
I have (finally) got my membership card. Rest assured, if you have sent me your details for my records and paid you membership fee, you are part of the BHRC family for 2020!
1. Spring Dressage –
Sunday 19th April at Conquest. Part of the schedule is below; the whole schedule is on the website. I have also put our rules for riding etiquette in a warm-up arena – it can be a bit daunting to the uninitiated. Gem and I have had to do more than one swift change of direction in our time competing! Our rules are specifically for dressage, but also cover showing, I will write one for show jumping when I have a clean horse!
2. Training –
this is proving to be very popular again this year, we are extremely lucky to have 2 exceptional instructors. We have many dates and they are getting booked up fast. One request I have had, please can you book a training place in writing – either an email or text. This is so that we have a paper trail for our records. Your place is only confirmed when we have received your money, this needs to be 7 days before the training date. Of course, both Deana and Emma will do their best to accommodate you if they can. Both have only booked March and April dates for now, but more will be added. If you want anything specific, contact them. I know, because we have just had a committee meeting, that Emma has plans to book Curland for evening show jumping training when the clocks go forward – watch this space!
Training - FLAT WORK/POLEWORK TRAINING WITH KAREN COURT (BHSII, RDGAI) AT PADDOCKS.
These lessons are flat work for all abilities; there will be 2 separate sessions, one using/including poles. All Saturday morning's, from 10am, £20 per session with no more than 3 horses in a session.
21st March , 4th April , 18th April
To join in please contact Deana Rowland via email deanarowland2@aol.com or by text to 07841012410 . Payment required to book your place, cancellation policy applies.
Training (POLEWORK/GRIDWORK/JUMPING) WITH NIKKI LUMB (BHSAI, STAGE 3 COACH IN COMPLETE HORSEMANSHIP) AT COMEYTROWE.
March 28th, April 11th & April 25th
10:00 AM 12:00 PM
Comeytrowe Equestrian Centre,Trull, TauntonTA4 1EQSomerset
There will be 2 x 1 hour sessions at £20 per person, no more than 4 in a group.
1 group will be Poles and Small Jumps (up to approx. 50 cm)
The other group will be aimed at those wanting to jump approx. 50cm plus.
Body protectors are recommended for seniors and compulsory for juniors.
Contact Emma Pearce - emmapearce1982@gmail.com Payment required to book your place. Cancellation policy applies.
3. Junior rally –
Monday 6th April at Paddocks with Karen Court. Poisonous plants and how to get easy extra marks in your dressage test! This is primarily aimed at anyone wishing to compete at the dressage on the 19th April so an understanding of Intro B would be a help. Contact me – Tricia - to book your place. ALL juniors are welcome, either with your pony or on foot (and it will be very close to Easter!)
4. Spring Show –
Jill, of course, has this beautifully organised but could do with an extra pair of hands during the afternoon. Please let me, or her, know if you are able to help out for an hour or two.
It’s that time of year again!
BHRC Summer Camp at Paddocks Equestrian
31st July - 2ndAugust 2020
Four rides – squares, triangles, circles and rectangles
Friday
5.00 pm onwards – arrive and settle horses. Passport checks.
6.00 pm approx. Teatime; everyone is welcome!
Saturday
9.00 – 10.00 am Squares flatwork lesson
10.15 – 11.15 am Triangles flatwork lesson
11.30 – 12.30 am Circles flatwork lesson
12.30 - lunch
1.30 –2.30 - Rectangles flatwork lesson
2.30 -3.00 – stable management/demonstration
3.15 – 4.30 - Squares SJ lesson
4.45 – 6.00 – Triangles SJ lesson
Evening hack to the local pub (Farmers Arms) followed by a barbeque
Sunday
8.00 am breakfast
9.00 – 10.15 – Circles SJ lesson
10.30 – 11.45 – Rectangles SJ lesson
11.45 – 12.30 – lecture/demonstration
12.30 – lunch
2.00 – 3.30 approx. – Dressage competition open to ALL BHRC members - £8.00 per entry
(Members attending camp do not pay)
4.00 - presentation of prizes and afternoon tea
4.30 – muck out stables and box up to go home
FAQ’s and questions you may not have thought to ask!
• You are welcome to come to Paddocks on the Friday afternoon/evening. Your stable will be ready from 5.00 pm at an extra cost of £10. Your dinner and breakfast will be provided by BHRC and several committee members will be there to welcome you and help you settle in.
• You need to provide your own hay, please make sure the hay doesn’t get mixed in with the bedding.
• You do need to provide hard feed for your horse.
• You will need water buckets.
• You may wish to bring your own mucking out tools. (a wheel barrow is especially helpful)
• All YOUR food is provided but you may wish to bring a cake or crisps to share
• You will need to provide your own alcohol!!!!
• If you are vegetarian or have a food allergy, please make sure we are aware of it before camp starts.
• It is recommended that adults wear a body protector for jumping. (This is compulsory for juniors)
• You are automatically entered for the dressage competition but it is not compulsory! You can enter either Intro A or Prelim 12.
• All juniors must have a responsible adult stay with them at night
• £100 per person. A non-returnable deposit of £80 is required to reserve your place. We take a maximum of 16 at camp therefore the first 16 to pay their deposit will have a place. I will also have a waiting list.
• You will need to bring your horse’s passport, showing less than 365 days vaccination against equine flu.
ETIQUETTE FOR RIDING IN AN ARENA & WARMING UP AT ALL BHRC COMPETITIONS.
• Pass left shoulder to left shoulder (thus, a horse on the left-rein on the track has right of way).
• A slower moving horse (walking) keeps to the inside track. When walking or halting, do so 5m off the track in order to keep the track clear for faster moving horses (i.e. cantering horses).
• A horse doing more advanced work (tempi changes, extended trot, etc.) has right of way. If you would like to use the diagonal or centre-line, please announce it in a clear voice (ie “Diagonal please!”).
• Be aware of stallions, they can be unpredictable and should be treated with respect.
• Be aware of your fellow riders and ride considerately:
• Try not to stop suddenly and don't deliberately cut across someone else's path,
• Don't obstruct the entrance/exit, or the track,
• When entering the riding arena, make sure you do not get in the way of approaching riders. If the entrance or view to the entire arena is obstructed, announce in a clear Voice “Door/gate please”, before entering, in order to prevent accidents,
• Give riders ample room when passing them so they don't get pushed up against the railings of the arena, whether passing from behind or in front.
• When passing, make sure your whip does not inadvertently touch the other horse.
• Don't gallop past riders in the arena or anywhere on the grounds.
• If you have a fractious or young horse, use the riding and lunging arenas to settle him but not at the expense of everyone else's safety. Also, if you see a young or fractious horse, try not to upset them
• Instruction from the side of the arena is allowed, but not at the expense of distracting other riders or to the detriment of the image of our sport - instructors and riders are encouraged to use microphones and earpieces in order to minimise distractions.
• Make sure which tack is allowed in the warm-up ring at competitions, as it can lead to elimination.
• It is the BHRC committee’s duty is to protect the sport & ensure safe and fair warm-up experience for all competitors. Their decision is final: if you are reprimanded or warned, obey graciously and learn from your mistakes.
• Only the person competing can warm up the horse in the arena.
Dates for Your Diary
More dates and more information on our website – blackdownhillsrc.co.uk
• Sunday 29th March. Spring Show at Heazle.
• Monday 6th April. Junior Rally at Paddocks
• Sunday 19th April. Dressage competition at Conquest
• Saturday 11th July. Area dressage at Chard EC
• Friday 29th July – 2nd August. Sumer Camp at Paddocks
• Saturday 5th September. Have-a-Go Dressage 2 music at Paddocks
Training Cancellation Policy
• Full Payment is required to confirm your place, and must be received 1 week before the rally date please.
• Later entries will be accepted if space allows.
• Payments via BACS or cheque posted to organiser. Payment online please quote your surname and date of the event/training you are paying for.
There will be NO refunds for withdrawals unless the space is filled from a waiting list or a late entry
Passport Checks
Blackdown Hills Riding Club follows the guidelines / rules as set by the specific venues that we use to hold our events. These guidelines may vary from one venue to another. In the interest of the health of your horse and the possibility of you being able to compete, it is advisable that you have your horses inoculated against equine flu. Please check each venue’s website for their update on their ruling.
General
• Juniors must wear body protectors for jumping training.
• For Cross-Country training body protectors must be worn, and fixed-peak hats are forbidden.
• No video recording device may be used by a competitor or participant during any phase of a competition, training or warm up.
Our bank details are as follows -
NatWest – sort code 60-23-05, account no; 74506439
Blackdown Hills Riding Club
Please state your surname and the date of the event you are entering
Chairwoman – Kate Hopper, Pleasant House, Clayhidon, Cullompton, Devon.
EX16 3TS. 07707815610 huskykate4@gmail.com
Secretary – Tricia Budd, 24, Newlands Grove, Ruishton, Taunton, Somerset.
TA3 5JJ. 01823 442597 triciabudd24@gmail.com
Treasurer – Deana Rowland, Coombe Hill House, Symonsburrow, Hemyock, Devon. EX16 3XA. 01823 680021 deanarowland2@aol.com