Sparsholt asks competitors to secure vehicles at shows
14th June 2009
Sparsholt College has reported an incident during their BD affiliated show on Sunday 14 June when a handbag was taken from an unlocked lorry and one of the credit cards used at a petrol station within half an hour of the competitor’s arrival. This was discovered when the rider was preparing to go home at the end of the day. The matter has been reported to the Police and the purpose of this email is to ask everyone attending shows at Sparsholt in the future to be particularly careful about the security of their vehicles to prevent this from happening again.
Sparsholt College collects British Dressage Show Award 2009
6th June 2009
On behalf of Mary Johnston, Sparsholt College's Equine Centre Manager, Stephen Jones, collected a 2009 Show Award at the BD AGM on Saturday 6th June at Stoneleigh. Sparsholt College are very proud to be one of 8 venues in the country to be put forward for this award on the strength of BD members' nominations and would like to thank everyone who recommended them. The BD shows could not be run by Mary without the stalwart support of her huge team of judges and regular helpers and, of course, the support of the College staff who help to set up for the show days. They want to thank everyone who has been involved over the 7 years of BD shows at the Equine Centre - starting with 1 test arena and expanding to the 3 test arenas we now run at every show. Sparsholt College are one of the few venues in the South with such wonderful facilities and are hopeful of being allocated at least an Area Festival in the future.
On the list of Volunteer Awards below, you will see Pat & Bill Lee who are Sparsholt's loyal scorers and who work so hard all day to get the scoreboards updated as quickly as possible after tests are ridden. A big thanks goes to them for their stalwart support over the years.
So, quite an accolade for Sparsholt College in recognition of all the hard work which goes on behind the scenes to ensure that everyone enjoys competing at the BD affiliated shows at the Equine Centre.
BD Awards 2009: thanks to the following
(Extract from the BD website)
Alongside the AGM, volunteer and show awards were given out to deserving winners as voted for by BD members. These individuals and centres help to make our wonderful sport all it is. Congratulations and thank you to the following who each received certificates:
Volunteer Award Winners
Awarded for the contribution they make to the dressage scene through their hard work and often unsung efforts.
Mrs Annette Scott, Herts
Mrs Alicia Anderson, Dorset
Miss Sandra Laflin, Devon
Miss Claire Coultas, North Humberside
Mrs Shona Mackenzie, Ross-shire
Ms Jill Watts, Stoke on Trent
Mrs Rose Brooke, Flintshire
Mr & Mrs Bill & Pat Lee, Surrey
Young Volunteer Award Winners
Miss Abigail Southworth, Essex
Miss Danielle Steed, Leicestershire
Miss Leona Lock-Williams, Macclesfield (pictured)
Show Award Winners
Awarded on the basis of atmosphere, efficiency, including the speed at which results are put up, and the quality of facilities.
Crofton Manor EC, Hants
Hunters EC, Glos
Kingswood EC, Wolverhampton
Marian Bach Eventing Centre, Flintshire
Myerscough College, Lancs
Oldencraig EC, Surrey
Sparsholt College, Hants
Tall Trees EC, Cornwall
WINNING FORM FOR CHARLOTTE
HALL PLACE EC – 25th May 2009
Charlotte Smith partnering her own ‘Heidi at Toberpatrick’ won two good classes at the most recent Show Jumping competition at Hall Place Equestrian Centre.
Although originally from Ireland 8 year old ‘Heidi’ was bought locally last year. Charlotte has spent a lot of time and hard work since, training with Clare Leah from S & D Equitation and representing the Hampshire Hunt Branch of the Pony Club with success.
The pair had their best day yet at Hall Place - as well as winning two classes they gained points for the South East Rider competition and became junior qualifiers for the UK Riders National Challenge at two levels.
Charlotte says ‘Heidi is a lovely affectionate pony who likes attention, when scratched behind the ears her bottom lip quivers! She used to be well know for being quite feisty but seems now to have grown up and is a much used and loved pony of the local RDA Group’.
There is obviously a lovely summer of competition ahead for these two and Hall Place would be delighted to welcome them back on 12th July for the next Show Jumping event.
Image – Charlotte Smith with Heidi at Toberpatrick
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events www.rpeevents.co.uk
Equestrian crime on the rise in North Hampshire
22nd May 2009
In recent weeks/days there has been an increase number of equine crimes in the northern part of Hampshire, stretching from Andover over to Tadley and Basingstoke.
Most recently in these areas there have been thefts of trailers and carriages.
Please examine your yard security and look at how well protected your trailer(s) and other property is
Thieves are not always committing crime at night, they are bold enough to steal during day light hours.
During the evening of Friday 22nd May 2009 thieves stole a trailer and carriage from a location in Tadley. The thieves drove into a local travellers site with the stolen property. The owner of the stolen property witnessed the theft and followed the thieves. The owner confronted the men who were with her property, who then subjected her to violence with stones and bricks being thrown at her car! She managed to withdraw from the site, having sustained considerable damage to her car as well being in shock.
RMS 44090220952 refers
This incident is subject of an ongoing police investigation.
HERE COME THE GIRLS!
Hall Place EC
Mel Widdows from Emmer Green won the fifth class at Hall Place Equestrian Centre Bank Holiday Show Jumping riding her own super little mare 'Regents Bounty' aka 'Hattie'.
The jumping took place on the newly surfaced arena at Hall Place which rode beautifully. Hattie who is a welsh cross thoroughbred is now 19 years old and as Mel said 'Nobody has told her that!'. This pair have now qualified at 2 heights to contend at the Senior Regional Finals for the UK Riders Challenge. Mel and Hattie have reached the National Finals for the past two years and have been highly successful.
Mel and Hattie are also keen Cross Country competitors and in 2008 made the long trip to Derbyshire for the BHS SEIB Novice Cross Country National Finals, where they came 8th out of over 90 competitors, also winning the award for highest placed southern member.
The Thames Valley Riding Club are fortunate to have Mel and Hattie as members and they regularly compete in the club team in these disciplines.
Image - Melanie Widdows with Regents Bounty
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events www.rpeevents.co.uk
Hall Place Dressage
"FRANKLY BRILLIANT"
Mother and daughter team Caroline and Georgie Frank from Streatley were victorious at Hall Place Dressage on Sunday 29th March. Both riders gaining placings in two tests - mum Caroline winning riding her beautifully produced skewbald mare 'My Time'. Caroline regularly trains with Karen Crago from Lower Basildon.
Georgie has owned her Connemara Thoroughbred cross 'Charlie' for four years and is currently competing at British Eventing Novice level. They train with Richard Barrett and local event coach Mark Corbett.
Caroline and her daughter work hard to produce to this competition standard, lets hope when Georgie leaves home to follow her ambition to become a vet, Caroline will be able to enjoy her time with 'My Time'.
Images - Caroline Frank with My Time and Georgie Frank with Charlie
Images by Royle Photography Equestrian Events www.rpeevents.co.uk
Hampshire based rider and Trainer publishes book
April 2009
The author, Sarah Weston, is a Recommended Associate of Intelligent Horsemanship, based in the New Forest.
"I wanted to devise a technique that would help wild foals to adjust to a domesticated life quickly so that they stood more chance of staying in their first home and wouldn't end up in a downward spiral; the techniques described in my book have worked with every breed of wild or nervous foal that I have worked with and for other people too."
This book will create a new tradition in foal handling.
PUBLICATION DATE MAY 10, 2009 • Price £16.00 • ISBN 1870 192 893 (13 digit: 978 1870 192 897)
Contact: Sarah Weston, Home Cottage,Brook Lane,Woodgreen, Hants SP6 2AT Tel: 01725 512434 email: sarahweston.logg@virgin.net www.sarahweston.co.uk
15+ Horse & Pony Events launches Annual
'Coming of Age' Award
All horses/ponies that reach 15 years of age DURING 2009 will be eligible to enter this new Annual Competition.
Great prizes to be won for the winners in each Group 1) 14.2hh & under 2) 14.2hh & over.
All that is required to enter is to submit the following information:- Name of horse/pony, Date of Birth, Height, Length of ownership, History, and lastly Why your horse/pony deserves this 'Coming of Age' Award.
Return your entry no later than May 31st 2009 to
15+ Horse & Pony Events, Lower Bank Farm, Hyssington, Powys, SY15 6AT
Horse15plus@aol.com - 01588 650180