September 2021

Hi everyone. Welcome back to the return of a newsletter that covers events that we have held as well as giving details of things coming up. Its nice to be back !!

PAST EVENTS

Dressage Competitions at Forest Gate

Our April and It has been really good to get back to our normal monthly dressage competitions at Forest Gate and thank you to all riders who supported them. Results have made interesting reading as there are a group of riders who have been playing nip and tuck with top six placing’s so it will be really interesting to see who amassed the most points and will be the recipients of the dressage trophies at the AGM.  It will probably also mean that various combinations have done so well that they will no longer be eligible for the Intro classes (and maybe even the Prelim) so the number crunchers on the committee will be looking carefully at good, consistent results. But well done to you all.  

One Day Event  at Smallwood on 5 September

Just one word  WOW !     

Don’t know what Judith promised the weather Gods but they definitely delivered ….. it was a glorious day, perfect for competing and the course looked magnificent.    

Firstly the Committee would like to say a huge thank you to all those members and friends who helped out on the day.    You all did a fantastic job and the number of comments we received reflected so well on the Club : typical were “Such a relaxed event, it was lovely to compete”,   “what a very friendly club”,   “such a well run event”.     Don’t really want to single any individual out as everyone was going such a great job but Fiona Saxby, assisted by Anne Doughton, was quite superb in getting scores added and results posted with minimal delay or fuss.   There were 96 entrants and apart from an couple who fell fowl of the horse eating chickens (dreadful pun intended !!!!) adjacent to the show jumping arena, all completed the three phases of the event.    Just to explain that, at one stage during the day, the chickens made the most tremendous amount of noise when horses were approaching (or in the middle of), the double – as a result, some riders had an unscheduled dismount at that point.    But the highlight of the day was the result posted by Clare Aldridge and Robbie’s Boy in the Senior Beginners.    They led a big field of 29 riders after the dressage and refused to give up that lead – finishing in first place.   Think the whole club was delighted about that result.     Another highlight was Amanda Lyne’s horse Cosmopolitan winning the Novice class when ridden by David Llewellyn.   Not to take anything away from David but they finished on an excellent dressage score so we feel that Amanda can take credit for the work she has put in during our dressage competitions as she has consistently obtained some very good scores.      It was a vintage day for the Club and, because of the number of non-members taking part, realised a good profit.

FUTURE  EVENTS

Dressage Competitions

Competitions will continue at Forest Gate Farm and all details of the tests, entry details etc will be posted on the web site.

AGM and Prize Giving

This will take place on Friday, 26 November at Crowton Village Hall and we’d love as many of you as possible to be there.    As you know, the hall is a big, airy room so hopefully that won’t be an issue but we obviously understand if anyone does not feel able to attend a group event .     We are asking our usual catering company to provide a meal.   The hall will be open from 7pm and the meal will be at 7.30pm.    As usual, please can we ask you to bring your own drinks (and glasses !).   Short talks will be made about 9pm followed by prize giving.    In gratitude to all those who helped make the ODE such a financial success, the Club will pay for members’ meals.    If anyone would like to bring a guest who is not a member they would be very welcome but we would ask for £10 to cover their meal.

TRAINING

Pole and Jump Training at Church Farm, Litte Leigh

We are delighted that Katie Holden has agreed to run two training events at Church Farm.  The first of these is on Sunday 24 October and the second is on 28 November.  Jump heights have been selected which, hopefully, will accommodate all abilities – ranging from 50cm to 90cm.   Weather permitting, it will be on grass but, otherwise, in the arena.   The price is £12 per rider in a group of 3 and the lesson will be approximately 45 minutes.   Entries can be made through the web site on Entrymaster.

Christmas Show Jumping

We’re delighted to say that Richard and Jane Carruthers have agreed to do the annual Christmas Show Jumping Lesson – always good fun and seasonal costumes are encouraged (horses and riders).   It will be on Tuesday, 28 December starting at 10.00 and heights will be 70cm, 80cm and 90cm.   The cost is £17,50 per person and there will be 4 riders in a group.    Entry details are on the web site but its definitely a case of getting your name down early as its always a popular event – even without the rather good mulled wine!!!!

Somerford Cross Country Training Arena

We are hoping to arrange a training session at Somerford – details of which will be posted on the web site as soon as they are finalised.

PAST  AREA  EVENTS

The Dressage to Music Qualifer was held on 7th August at Radfords Equestrian, Llanymynech & we are more than delighted to report that Clare Whitfield and Bob WON the Elementary Class Qualifier with a score of 69.67% which was a brilliant result and everyone was more than thrilled about their well deserved success.  Tilly Nutkins also represented the club at the qualifier and won her class, although she was unable to compete at the Championships due to prior commitments.

The Dressage to Music Championship was held at Bury Farm from 1st-3rd October. The Elementary class this year was scheduled to run on the Friday 1st, which initially caused some concern as to whether Clare would be able to get the time off work to attend. Thankfully, she managed to get the Friday off and travelled down to Bury Farm on the Thursday night!   Although no prizes this time, Clare had a great time at the Championship & really enjoyed the experience.   It is always nice to report that a member of the Club represented us at the Championships – so well done Clare.

Area Dressage

Further congratulations went to Tilly Nutkins who was placed third in the Junior Dressage Qualifier at Llanymynech. Due to a higher placed rider having already received her qualifying spot, Tilly was invited to the Championships at Lincoln on 5th September, where she did really well and placed 9th in the Junior Prelim class with a very impressive 74%. She also entered the direct entry native championship class and won with another excellent score of 74% score!

Area Horse Trials

These took place on 4 July at Somerford Park but conditions were not conducive to an easy passage !!   The 90cm team consisted of Nicola Mann, Caroline Brammer, Steph Woodland and Alison Arden. They did not enjoy the best of luck (or ground, or weather conditions) so this one was marked up to experience and roll on 2022. Carrie Childs, competing as an individual, came a very creditable 6^th in the 1m class, a great feat in the wet and mud!  

Novice Winter Dressage

The Winter Novice Dressage Qualifiers takes place this year on 31st October at Somerford Park. We have a good turn out this time and we are sending 9 DFRC riders to ride 12 tests in total; with 2 full teams plus some individual entries, so wish them all the best of luck and will let you know how they get on!

Novice and Intermediate Show Jumping

We’re really pleased to report that we have entered a team (70cm) and individuals (70cm, 80cm 90cm and 100cm) in the Area Show Jumping which will take place at Kelsall on 7 November.   This is a qualifying event and we wish all competitors the best of luck

MISC

BRC Whip rule to become Club events rule from 01.01.2022

A section from the DFRC Club rules on the Membership page: “BRC states that one whip is permitted for show jumping / cross country, and must be between 45cm and 75cm and must not be weighted or with a hard point at the end. The end of the whip must be padded. The ‘pad’ must be smooth with no protrusion or raised surface (which includes embroidery) and be made of a shock absorbing material throughout its circumference. For those competing at Area level for DFRC this style of whip is already compulsory.  Riders should note that from 01.01.2022 this style of whip is to become mandatory at Club level competition & training also. ”

Committee

We are all very sorry to say that Sue Griffiths has decided to leave the DFRC Committee after 20 years due to other commitments including bridleways and walks and we will really miss her input and organisational skills: specifically the annual combined training competition and the show jumping teams that compete at area competitions. Sue has been a member since DFRC formed in 1983 and will still support the club and help out at events where required. In the meantime, we wish her all the very best

For a parting gift, Sue found a copy of the inaugural newsletter of DFRC which was issued in 1983.  It makes good reading and we thought you might be interested in a few of the contents:.   The first cross country event took place at Forest House, Norley and 3^rd place in the Intermediate class went to a certain Gary Parsonage.    The second event of the year was a jumping derby (a mix of show and cross country jumps positioned in an open area) held at Beechwood Farm and again Gary Parsonage featured in 2^nd place in the Intermediate class.   The third outing was to Derby House to have an evening (with wine) looking round the shop.  As regards dressage, the only mention is of a stalwart committee sewing bibs and flags (a task that the current committee isn’t sorry not to be presented with nowadays).  Entry fees were agreed and published in the letter :  £1.50 for a dressage entry;  £2.00 cross country;  £4.00 one day event and £2.00 for show jumping.    No trophies were available and a request was included asking if anyone would like to donate one