February 2022

Hi everyone.  Its really nice to be getting some normality back in our equestrian lives – just need to sort the weather out now.   The Committee have been plotting and planning over the last couple of months and are delighted to bring forward a schedule of riding, competing and training for all our Club members.   We hope you enjoy it but, if there is anything that you would like to see, please don’t hesitate to message one of the committee (and you can be anonymous if you would prefer !!)

PAST EVENTS

The Annual General Meeting and Prize Giving took place on Friday, 26 November at Crowton Village Hall and, as always, turned into a very welcome get together for members and guests. The business end of the evening was conducted as swiftly as possible so as not to encroach on the table conversations.   We were unable to award quite as many prizes as in previous years, due to covid restrictions on running some events, but very many congratulations to those riders whose achievements were recognised with trophies. A list of these people can be seen on the What’s On/Social page of the website.  All were very much deserved.   Turners again provided a good meal and, as everyone brought along their own drinks, the end result was a fun evening.   Thanks to all who helped both to set up and clear the hall.

Pole and Jump Training at Church Farm, Litte Leigh

We were delighted that Katie Holden had agreed to run a training event at Church Farm on 28 November.  However it transpired that the riders who took part deserved endurance awards (as did the trainer) as, unfortunately, the weather really turned that day and sleet/snow completely hid the poles – an added challenge that perplexed both horses and riders.  But never let it be said that DFRC has fair weather riders and a flexible approach turned what could have been a total disaster into a challenge that certainly provided a talking point afterwards.

Christmas Show Jumping on 28 December

As an end of year highlight, can anything beat the annual Christmas Show Jumping at Forest Gate Farm.  As always everyone entered into the post-Christmas spirit of this event and good fun was had by all.

Somerford Cross Country Training Arena Liz Ford organised two cross country training lessons with Vicki Lowe at Somerford Park on 23 January.  These took place in the Ash Arena and provided excellent  training.  The first group were jumping at about 70cm and Vicki started the session with the lowest fences available as a great confidence giver to this group. Her patience and encouragement were rewarded as, towards the end, riders and horses were breezing round the full course looking like seasoned professionals.  The second group started off a bit higher but again all said they had enjoyed the lesson and benefitted from the experience

Dressage Competitions Competitions have continue at Forest Gate Farm and members have produced some good tests – one judge said that she had enjoyed her day with us and thought that there were some very promising partnerships

AREA  EVENTS

Arena Eventing

DFRC volunteered to run the Arena Event Qualifier at Kelsall as the Club’s contribution to  Area’s activities.  Judith and Caroline Childs, who did a sterling job in the lead up and organisation on the day, were ably helped by Peter Booth and Kate Johnson. Although our riders missed out on qualifying, there were some very encouraging rounds from Alison Arden and Indie (who were going really well until the very last joker fence);  Carrie Childs, Caroline Brammer; Emma Reading (a very positive debut for a novice horse) and Chenade Calllaghan (a new member and who is a very welcome addition to the Club’s competition teams).  We have great hopes for these riders/horses in the forthcoming season.

Dressage Championships : Clare Whitfield We are very delighted (and proud by association) to advise that Clare Whitfield and Bob will be taking up their qualifier’s place at the Dressage Championships on 26-27 March.   We would like to wish them the best of luck and hope they have a brilliant couple of days.  No pressure Clare but we’ll look forward to hearing the result

FUTURE  EVENTS

Dressage Competition at Forest Gate Farm on 13 March

The tests are Intro C;  Prelim 2;  Novice 30;  Elementary 42 and Medium 71. Please check the web page to confirm which year’s version is being used. Entries can be made through EntryMaster.

Clear Round Jumping at Forest Gate Farm on 20 March

This is the perfect start to the season and is always popular though that might have something to do with the chocolate bars that are awarded to celebrate a clear round.  As always, the main objective of the event is to make sure that riders (especially those just starting out) have a lot of fun and get round. It’s a seriously no pressure day.   Entries can be made on the web through EntryMaster at a price of £5 per round with a one off EM fee of £1.50.  Entries on the day will also be accepted at £8 per round.  The jumping will take place on the outdoor arena so its suggested that warm clothing should be worn but at least there will be access to hot drinks – to go with the winning chocolate bars.

Dressage Competition at Forest Gate Farm on 10 April

The tests are Intro A;  Prelim 7;  Novice 34;  Elementary 44 and Medium 63.    Please check the web page to confirm which year’s version is being used.   Entries can be made through EntryMaster.

Combined Training in May

Full details of the Combined Training are just being finalised and will  be published as soon as possible.

Horse Camp at Somerford  3-5 June

No words necessary, really, to highlight this incredible weekend. It’s the most amazing value for money at a prestigious venue.   Good lessons; good friends;  fun weekend – what’s not to like.?  Please contact Cathy London if you would like to book a stable and give your horse a lovely weekend.

One Day Event  –  Smallwood on Sunday, 4 September

The big highlight of the Club competition year.  Always popular and well supported.   Further details will be released a little nearer the time.

AREA  EVENTS 

Please note :

Your DFRC membership must be up to date for you to take part in any Area events so if you  haven’t already re-joined for this year and you are interested in taking part, please access the Club website as soon as possible to get a membership form and re-join.    Hopefully all Club members’ horses will be micro-chipped but this is just a little reminder that it is now a legal requirement that every horse has a chip implanted.

Area Intermediate Dressage Qualifier –  6 March

We are really pleased that we have been able to enter two teams and two individuals, and we would like to wish them all the best on the day (plus some nice weather !)  The teams consist of :

Delamere Pines: Claire Whitfield (P14), Carrie Childs (N27), Amanda Lyne (N34), Georgie Critchley (E44) 

Delamere Oaks: Bridie Welsh (P14), Kate Johnson (N27), Katie Holden (N34), Stella Woodward (E44)

Amanda Lyne and Katie Holden are also riding a second test individually Amanda (N27), Katie (P14)

Area Combined Training Qualifier at Bold Heath Equestrian Centre on 2 April

This qualifier represents a nice local event for DFRC riders so if you are interested in representing the Club, please contact Peter Booth.  The schedule was emailed to all members recently so please could you let him know which Class/es you are interested
in.   Entry fee is £25, the Club will as usual pay the national pre entry-fee.  You can enter as part of a team and you will be auto entered as an individual.  You can enter 2 classes as an individual as long as the dressage tests are different and you can jump the same height twice.  Championships are at Aston le Walls on the 21-22 May 2022.

Area Horse Trials at Somerford Park on 17 July

Sam Sansom will be looking for interested parties (in May most likely) to represent the Club at the Area Horse Trials but if you would like any information in advance, please email Sam at samsansom@hotmail.co.uk

Area Arena Eventing Qualifier at Kelsall on 2 October

Although this is a while off, this is a date for the diary

**  Calling All Potential Area Competitors **

Would any of our members be interested in representing the Club at Area competitions? The Club pays the pre-entry cost so its just the entry fee that individuals have to pay.  Please keep an eye out for emails or web site notifications regarding entry dates, details etc.  We would be really pleased to hear from anyone who would like to have a go. We don’t have selection trials so its an opportunity to compete against members of other clubs without any stressful preliminaries.  If you’d like an informal chat about competing at Area events, please contact :

Area Combined Training Chef d’Equipe : Peter Booth on  delamereforestrc@gmail.com

Area Summer Dressage Chef d’Equipe : Elaine Reading on elainereading@sky.com

Area Hunter Trials Chef d’Equipe : Sam Sansom on  samsansom@hotmail.co.uk

MISC Now that we have started again with events at Forest Gate Farm, we are able to resume the production of  hot drinks (and we have bought a new water urn to celebrate !!), We normally raise about £100 in contributions over the year and this is sent to charity. If anyone would like to nominate a charity for consideration (probably horse connected in some way) that would benefit from this amount, please let us know