September 2023

A lot has been going on over the last couple of months so we hope all members have enjoyed their riding experiences and it has been lovely to get so much support for the various things we have run – both in  participation and help    More details to follow but because of some of financial successes, we are intending to use profits in order to make the AGM a really special occasion – so do keep Friday 17 November earmarked for that.

PAST EVENTS

Our monthly Dressage Competitions have been running well and we’ve had good support from members.  The accumulated  points are now being calculated and well deserved trophies will be awarded at the AGM to all section winners and runners-up.

 The One Day Event at Smallwood on 10 September

Following the issues with weather this summer, the day of the event was forecast to be sunshine and thundery showers – however, apart from a small amount of drizzle in the morning, we got away lightly and what a brilliant day it turned out to be.    The course looked fantastic and very inviting and we were rewarded with a full entry.   In the run up to the 10^th, Steph and her team of scorers had been on an electronic scoring tutorial so the results came through in record time – very well done to all concerned.     As you all know, the running of the ODE very much depends on whether we can provide a team of volunteers and helpers to cover the various disciplines – the committee would like to thank each and every one of you who turned out on the day, we couldn’t have done it without you.   Hopefully you will see how much this means when, because the ODE is our big profit making event, we can use it to make the AGM a very special celebration this year.     Our DFRC riders did so well against a lot of really solid competition and many congratulations go to the following:

Results from members participating at ODE are:

70cm

Wendy Burgess 5^th

Elizabeth Holmes 7th

Anna Matthews Revitt 10th

Susanne Leece – completed but missed a fence XC and spent the rest of the afternoon apologising to her horse !!

80cm

Brent Sansom 1st

Clare Aldridge 6th

80cm open

Jackie Spencer  2nd

Emma Reading 6th

TRAINING

Prior to the ODE,  Jenny and Judith had organised some training sessions with Bianca to ensure that horses and riders were going really well in preparation for both the ODE and any other jumping events.   These lessons covered Grid work,  Pole work and a spin round some of the Smallwood xc fences.    A great combination of lessons and it was obvious, from the uptake of places, that these were also found to be popular with members.

FUTURE EVENTS

As always, full details of all our competitions, training events etc, can be found on the web site but, briefly, the following is a list of diary dates for the next 3 months :

Dressage competitions at Forest Gate Farm

Sunday   8 October

Entries are now open for this competition (as always full details are on the web site) and the tests are:

Intro   C       (2016)
Prelim 2      (2016)
Prelim 14    (2006 r.2016)
Novice 24   (2010 r.2016)
Elem 42     (2008)
Medium 71 (2002)

Sunday 12 November

Intro   A      (2008)
Prelim 7      (2002 r 2016)
Prelim 18    (2002 r.2016)
Novice 27   (2007)
Elem 44     (2002)
Medium 63  (2002)

Sunday 10 December

Intro   B      (2009)
Prelim 1      (2006)
Prelim 12    (2005 r.2016)
Novice 28   (2008)
Elem 49     (2009)
Medium 71  (2002)

Prelim Dressage points – these are now available on the Dressage page and refer to the first Prelim only. Riders who accumulate more than 35 points may continue to compete in the second Open Prelim class. Members please check your eligibility BEFORE you enter competitions. We will endeavour to update the totals after every dressage competition. The first prelim is designed to encourage Intro riders taking their first steps into prelim tests.

FUTURE TRAINING

On Saturday 23 September, there will be a dressage test riding lesson with Jane Carruthers at Forest Gate Farm.

Jenny Hoban is also intending to arrange some Show Jump  and XC Training – possibly at either Kelsall or Somerford.   We are targeting these sessions to take place prior to the Area Show Jumping  so that, once again, we can enter a strong team at this competition.   See details in the Area Events para.

AREA  EVENTS

Area Dressage Qualifier on 29 July at Radfords

Two riders represented DFRC at this event in the summer.   It was really good experience for young horses and the very positive results are very encouraging going forward.    The two members concerned were :

Katie Holden who had an excellent result of 5^th place in her first class and 8^th in the second

Anne Boothroyd also achieved great placings of 6^th in the first class and 7^th in the second

The Area competitions always attract very strong entries and it was brilliant that DFRC was represented at such a high level.   

Thanks as always to our Chef d’Equip Elaine for her work behind the scenes at this competition.

Area Dressage to Music Qualifier

Clare Whitfield was our only entry at the DtM and we really appreciate that she carries the sole weight of representing the Club – and does it so well.    Again she faced incredibly strong competition so we were delighted when she was placed 5^th.    A really good result.

FUTURE AREA EVENTS

Area Arena Eventing at Kelsall on Saturday 14 October

The Schedule for the Arena Eventing is now available and we would really like to put teams together to contest this local event.    If you would be interested in taking part (and please don’t be modest !!), Judith Childs is co-ordinating the teams so please contact her on jm.childs@hotmail.co.uk

Area Show Jumping

Full details of this will be advised as soon as we receive the schedule from Area

Area 20 Winter Dressage at Somerford on 5^th November

Although the schedule is not out yet , if you would have an interest in taking part, this would be welcome.  Please contact Elaine Reading on ereading22@gmail.com

DFRC  AGM  –  17 NOVEMBER

As it is the Club’s 40^th Anniversary this year, we are hoping to arrange something special for the AGM so please keep the evening free.    As usual it will be held at Crowton Village Hall but  new caterers have been approached and their sample menu looks great.   We will probably keep to the arrangement that people can bring their own drinks (the hall isn’t licenced for the sale of alcohol so its a bit easier to do this).   Trophies will be awarded as usual and surprise prizes are also being looked at !!   We’ll try to keep the (dare I say it) boring bits of the AGM to a minimum to ensure that we have a really fun, celebratory evening.   We’ll email round to members in due course to get numbers but wanted to confirm the date to you all well in advance.

If anyone still has a trophy from last year’s prize giving, please could you get it back to Anne Doughton (or any member of the committee) as soon as possible please .