Good practice for those wanting to compete at Area ODE and EVENTER CHALLENGE
Grange Farm Eventer Challenge Events 2012 Swalcliffe Grange, Swalcliffe, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5EXSaturday 18th February Friday 6th April Sunday 17th June Sunday 29th July Class 1 Fences approximately 80cm Class 2 Fences approximately 90cm
The Eventer Challenge is a short format ‘Derby’ style competition with a section of 8-10 show jumps leading to 6-8 efforts over portable and fixed cross -country fences including water, finishing over a show jump. Competitors will go straight from the show jumping into the cross-country phase where the optimum time is based on a speed of 325m/minute.
Rosettes 1st to 6th in each class. Classes may be divided. Please state if junior or senior on entry form. Junior is 14 years and under on 1st January 2012
Points will be awarded to competitors who come to each event which will result in a series Champion.
1st = 7 points 2nd = 6 points 3rd = 5 points 4th = 4 points 5th = 3 points 6th = 2 points Attending event = 1 point. Championship rosettes and prizes to 6th will be presented at the final show in July. Prizes kindly sponsored by Tri-Zone airlite
Please see website to download schedule and entry form at: www.swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk or contact Sarah at sarah.beveridge@hotmail.co.uk / Tel 01295 788924
Team Selection
Winter Area Dressage – Held at Hartpury on February 11th
Prelim 18
Sue Stoddard, Helen Gabriel, Kim Drinkwater, Sian Evans, Lucy Verity, Nichole Baker
Novice 24
Sarah Hance, Fe Moore, Catherine Stevens, Sue Kear, Sue Owen, Amy Batters
Reserve
Amy Herring
New Year Plans:
We’ve reached the shortest day of the year, so to celebrate I’ve uploaded a couple of dates for your diaries. Look under the schedules page for a quiz night in February and a tack sale in March. Hope everybody has a restful holiday period. Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Jules. 
Showjumping Report: Indoor Novice November 27th
It was a very chilly long day but everyone enjoyed it. A big thank you to Arlene Mansell and Chloe Joslin for acting as my groom!! A big thank you also to Fe Moore for warming all the riders up before they went into main arena. We had lots of support which was really nice, and thanks to Jeanette Staytt for keeping the scores.
After the 1st round we were looking good with the Panthas on 0 and the Tigers on 4!! It was not meant to be our day as in the secound round poles fell. All the riders and horses done well with no one falling off!! Stacy Partlett officially had the smallest mount with Wally, who did not seem on his usual form resulting in Stacy retiring half way round the 2nd round. I learnt the next day that he was still not right so lets hope he has a speedy recovery. A nice surprise came when Sarah Ceen (new member!) was placed individually (7th). It was a shame the Lynx had no drop score due to Jo Elliott and Otis being eliminated in the 1st round (otis did not want to play). Steph Hart and Steph Devich done well on their debut as did Amy Batters. The old crew with all their experince still had a pole down (it happens to the best!!) well done to Pip, Louise, Kim, Polly and Alison. Better luck next time! Michelle x
RESULTS; RD 1 RD 2 TIME
LYNX
STEPH HART 4 8 61.85
JO ELLIOTT E 24 98.85
STEPH DEVICH 16 8 70.81
SARAH CEEN 0 0 62.82 TEAM TOTAL=36 PLACED 17TH
PANTHAS
PIP WILSON 0 4 57.56
MICHELLE 0 8 62.70
LOUISE WILKINSON 4 0 69.47
ALI CUPPER 0 4 61.80 TEAM TOTAL=8 PLACED 7TH
TIGERS
STACY PARTLETT 8 R
POLLY SCHREDER 0 4 72.92
KIM DRINKWATER 4 0 64.98
AMY BATTERS 0 4 75.92 TEAM TOTAL=12 PLACED 11TH
Do you need to downgrade?
As we go into the new competition season and onwards to 2012, you might need to apply for your horse to be downgraded if your horse has, BD, BS or BE points, and you want to compete in teams for both area and Mercian competitions.
To do this you need to apply to BRC, the form is on the BRC website, or email cheltenhamridingclub@hotmail.co.uk and we will send one to you.
If you’re unsure if you need to downgrade please contact the relevant team manager for advice, Michelle for show jumping, Dawn or Nicola K for dressage, Jules for one day events, Sian for hunter trials, and for the rules regarding forthcoming Mercian eligibility the Pip is the lady in the know.
SHOW JUMPING TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Thank you to all the riders who tried out for winter show jumping team selection. Michelle is sending three teams to Bromyard on the 27th November. There is a mixed bag of riders going with four new members and some old faithful members!!
Team riders are: Alison Cupper, Louise Wilkinson, Kim Drinkwater, Pippa Wilson, Stacey Partlett, Amy Batters, Steph Hart, Steph Devcich, Sarah Ceen, Jo Elliott, Polly Schreuder and Michelle Holder. Reserves: Jane Austin, Becky Stroud.
Fingers crossed we will do well, best of luck to you all.
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE SPRING
INTER-RIDING CLUB FRIENDLY DRESSAGE TEAM COMPETITION – Come and join us for a friendly, non stressful, team dressage competition. I am getting together a non- stressful friendly team dressage competition. Open to other clubs. Teams of three competitors from very basic (Never to have represented their club-novice or nervous) to the very advanced riders and the nearly very old !! (senior riders). This will be held at Home Farm, Cheltenham on March 11th 2012. Let me know if you are interested in joining us for the day and wish to be on one of the teams, n.klaiber@hotmail.co.uk. Schedules will be out shortly. Nicola Klaiber
SHOWING TRAINING – We have had interest from members wishing to know more about showing their horse or pony. Are they suitable? What category do they fit into?
What do they do in a class ? Jeannette Stayte and I will be running a training evening specifically to cover these points and any others you may wish to know. If you want to enter any of the Mercian classes or just do something different ? we are happy to give you some advice and tips. Jeannette has had many years experience in Hunter/ Working Hunter and Show Horse classes at all the top shows and I was bought up Showing M and Ms / Show Hacks / Show Hunter etc. at County level. I am sure between us we can cover almost everything ! This will take place towards the end of March 2012. Date and Venue to be confirmed later. Nicola Klaiber
AGM 2011 & Awards Night round-up
The Gloucester Old Spot pub provided a perfect setting for our AGM last night, good ales and a yummy steak pie dinner option ensured everyone left full and happy!
The proceedings kicked off with the AGM where formalities are presented, Nichole Baker delivered a detailed budget report in the absence of Noel, our standing is £500 up on last year, but against a backdrop of increased expenditure on championship entry fees, highlighting the need to increase revenue in the next year to ensure we can continue to support riders to attend championships.
The team managers reports were all circulated to allow members to read through club successes this year.
The chairman raised the issue of how helper hours are enforced and the agreement within the room was to tighten processes to ensure members do provide some help to the club, but not implement stringent penalties at this stage, though it was agreed team managers can decline team places to members if an equally suitable member with helper hours recorded is also in the running. We will monitor the effectiveness of such interventions over the next 12 months, but in the meantime the emphasis is on members to come forwards and offer help using the helper form on the website and Jo Holley to continue to approach members to ensure coverage for vital events.
Jules Newberry presented an overview of our communication systems, we have facebook, the website, a direct email link both on the website and at cheltenhamridingclub@hotmail.co.uk and we have circulated to all members a list of the committee contact numbers. There will not be a monthly newsletter printed due to no one being willing to take on the editorial of this and a need to move towards a more dynamic communication stream, there is now a blog/news section on the home page of the website, accessible 24/7 where reports and news will be displayed as it happens. We will post out quarterly a round up of news to those who don’t have an email address only. Reminders for training etc. will be sent via email to all, please use the whats on calender on the website to stay abreast of forthcoming activities and if you fancy being in teams contact the relevant team managers.
Changes to committee:
Nicola Norfolk stood down after 6 long years, her IT skills have propelled the technology which supports CDRC, the website, facebook etc were all her brainchild and she has been instrumental in moving us forwards, we wish her the best as she moves into full time rug repairs and I’m sure many of us will still see her as she repairs our rugs!! We have purchased her 2 tickets for Your Horse Live 2011 to enjoy.
The committee structure will be as follows:
Dawn Allen ~ Chair & Summer DR Team Manager
Nadine Exner ~ new proposal as secretary ~ proposed and seconded, therefore elected
Noel Ennett ~ Treasurer, this becomes a non executive position as Noel is now working with BRC as the Area 18 representative
Nichole Baker ~ Membership Secretary, non executive position
Jules Newberry ~ takes on website and IT management alongside her role as ODE team manager
Sian Evans ~ remains as Hunter Trail team manager
Michelle Holder ~ Remains as Show jump team manager
Nicola Klaiber ~ Remains as Winter Dressage and DTM team manager
Jeanette Stayt ~ remains as Blenhiem Team Manager and training support
Jo Holley ~ remains as helepr co-ordinator
Hannah Gwilliam ~ moves into event support role
Pip Wilson ~ new proposal to grass routes and mercian teams mentor ~ proposed and seconded ~ elected
Changes to the club year
The group voted to revise the club year to start on 1st January as from January 2013, this current club year will therefore run until 31st December 2012. This change brings us in line with BRC rule book renewal. In future membership cards will be sent directly from BRC head office
Future plans and Events:
Key event ideas:
1. tack sale ? X 1 or 2 – venue awaited
- Quiz 27th Feb @ Gloucester Old Spot, please save the date and come and join us
- March 11th BRC inter club and ? PC dressage team competition at Home farm ~ awaiting confirmation from HF
- Combined training event on grass ~ venue TBC
- Team cross country event ? Venue TBC
- Need to generate income from events and encourage member help and participation otherwise funding for championships will not be possible – difficulties this year in bringing in funds for clubs
- Review of how team members are selected, this will be through both formal selection sessions, riders coming forwards, reviews of competition records, attendance at training – aim to take a wider view so people don’t have to outlay financially above and beyond to be considered for team place – greater emphasis on riders to approach the team managers – details of forthcoming events will always be on the calender – emails will be send when team members are needed
- Greater promotion of Mercian events – need to bridge gap in standards as area now so competitive, again Pip keen to hear from people
No other business was raised and no further questions asked.
We therefore followed the AGM with speakers Jason Mahon and Judy Pullen from the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt who talked about their roles and the life within the hunting profession, a really informative talk and a special offer was given to RC members for hunting days – for more details please contact us.
The helpers raffle followed and 5 lucky CDRC helpers won a pair of Joules socks to keep them toasty through winter!
The CDRC Awards Winners 2011
Rider of the year ~ Kelly Clack
Horse of the year ~ Linda Delahook’ Arthur, ridden by Fe Moore
Newcomer of the year ~ Susan Stoddart
Most improved rider of the year ~ Pip Morris
Dressage performance of the year ~ Becky Stroud & Merlyn
Show Jumping performance of the year ~ Jeanette Stayt & Smurph
HT/ Eventer Challenge performance of the year ~ Fe Moore & Arthur
ODE performance of the year ~ Kim Drinkwater
Helper/ supporter of the year ~ Jen Berry
Most appearances for the club this year ~ Fe Moore
Chairman’s Choice ~ Fe Moore
Very well done to all our winners, all much deserved!
We ended the night with a raffle of great prizes all kindly donated and several people left with plants, smellies, choccies, wine and tickets for Your Horse Live ~ well done to all the winners
Thank you all for joining us for a very nice evening, great to see so many faces new and old and to have a catch up. The committee wishes you all the very best for the forthcoming year ahead and we will be gearing up for competitions again soon, with the Area SJ & DR competitions both happening the next few months, so do contact Michelle and Nicola K if you fancy being in the teams.
Dressage To Music Championships
I have just arrived back from a very exhausting, but wonderful weekend at Aintree Racecourse for the RC Dressage To Music Championships.
On Friday mid-day Phillipa and I bundles Arnie into the lorry and set off on the long journey to Liverpool. We picked up Fe and Elvis at Fox’s Saddlery on the way. ” I’ll only travel light” sais Fe !! – Five rugs, six bags, tack , abundance of food and haylage for Elvis and one small bag for Fe was stuffed into the living area of my lorry !!.
Over four hours later, having sat in endless queues on the motorway and fighting the lorry through wind and rain, we arrived. Unloaded, settled the horses and made the first of very many very long walks down the racecourse to the equestrian arena.
Very early Saturday Morning Fe and I took Elvis and Arnie to walk round the outside of the arena – a very big asset if you have a spooky horse, as many find this arena particularly electric.
As I watched people warming-up I began to wonder if I had arrived at a British Dressage Championships rather than a Riding Club. The standard was very high, well up on last year with many lovely big dressage horses forward.
The Elementary tests were first – Elvis and Fe were going beautifully in the warm-up, with some very lovely outside comments , and performed their usual professional routine. Elvis, I thought, looking even better than usual, they score just under 70%. Becky decided to arrive early that morning as Merlyn, I believe, does not take kindly to staying overnight. He worked in beautifully calmly, but unfortunately the atmosphere in the arena slightly got the better of him, which made his test a little tense. All credit to Becky she kept her cool, rode beautifully and still managed to produce a flowing test, to score over 68%.This put Fe in 8th place and Becky in 10th. Both through to the final line-up and a rosette.
Sue arrived later on Saturday with helper and navigator, Jen. Settled Cookie and promply went to the pub and then back to their room with a bottle of wine, bars of chocolate and pringles!!
Fe, Phillipa and I watch the evening performance and Quadrilles. All nine clubs had put in an enormous amount of work to produce wonderful costumes and routines from River Dance to Bumble Bees, Lion King and other topical themes. (Any interested members from Cheltenham – I am willing to give it a ago !!).
Sunday Morning was the turn of the Novice without points section and again Sue and Cookie (after many baths, baby wipes and whitener) produced their usual high score with 71.38%, equal to last years percentage which then placed them second. However, with this years high standard it could only manage to placed them in 7th. Still a wonderful result and another final line-up position.
After nearly two days waiting Phillipa finally got her turn in the arena in the Novice with Points. Arnie had spend all Saturday passaging up and down the walkway from the stables to the Arena, thinking that racecourse were a lot more exciting than boring indoor schools. He calmed down sufficiently to produce a lovely active, but accurate test, finishing on 71.67% and a very pleasing 3rd place. Well done Arnie – A very small person in a line up of rather large horses !!
We finally arrived home at ten o’clock, very tired but having thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
Many thanks to all of you who took the time to compete at the area competition and well done to Fe, Sue, Becky and Phillipa for doing so well at the Championships.
Start planning for next year !!
Nicola
