Archived News Articles

Chairmans Speech
Annual General Meeting
26th October 2006

Sue Owen

It is good to see so many people here this evening, especially as I managed to mess up the dates in the newsletter. Had a bit of a senior moment!!!

This year was a busy year and one to celebrate: the 50th Anniversary of Cheltenham Riding Club. As you will have read in the new-look newsletter, we are holding a dance at the Tithe Barn, Bishops Cleeve on Saturday 18th November, and hope that it will be attended by members from the past and present. It should be a very good night and one to remember.

Over the years the committee has changed, the faces have changed but the club goes on from strength to strength, the membership stays pretty constant, between 160 and 180 members, one of the bigger club within Area 18. There are to be committee changes this year too, Carla Redding and Georgina Bull have both decided to stand down (not enough hours in the day for both of them, Carla with her baby, Anya, and George with her demanding job). I would like to thank them both for all the work that they have done over the years for the club. There boots are to be ablely filled, (with your approval) by Megan Morgan, who has offered to take over as Horse Trials team manager and Diana Cook, who is taking on the Show Jumping team managers job.

So what have we done this past twelve months, plenty of training at various venues, some of it very popular especially the cross country and event training that Geof and Jennie have hosted, many thanks to both of them for their hard work and commitment. Flatwork, on the other hand has seen some poor response, and I for one would really like to know why. Your suggestions and requests would be appreciated so that we can provide the training that you want. Thanks also to Gary, who has run his show jump training with Sue Ford again. During the summer there was lots of training for equitation and team jumping, which was great fun, such a pity that the actual qualifier was such a disaster after all the hard work that the teams put in. But it wont go to waste though, as the indoor novice qualifier for 2007 is in February and will be at Hartpury. The fun ride and BBQ was run earlier in the year and that, aside from the horse flies, was a better idea. The evening shows at Church Lane Farm went well again. We decided not to run the Rally but to opt for Camp at Stockland Lovell instead, that was eventful but great fun and it will definitely be run again for 2007 in late September. And then finally there was the quadrille, that was quite a learning curve, and very demanding in time, skill and temper but once it came together, and we did it in only 6 weeks, it was really exciting! And what a brilliant first effort the team made. Next year we shall have it cracked.

And thinking of next year, CDRC are running the dressage side of the Area Horse Trials at Broadway again, which ran really smoothly this year, so any offers from writers and scorers would be appreciated. It has been nice to see such a good response from members wanting to represent the club at Area competitions, it would be great to get more through to the championships, having been driven to Lincoln by Megan this year, it really isnt that far. To represent your club with the best in the country is certainly something. And that is exactly what Megan and Henry did, with a fantastic result. Many, many congratulations to you both. Commiserations to Ron Medland, who had qualified but was unable to attend due to Rhythmics injury, a great shame.

The other exciting thing which we have to look forward to in 2007, is the opening of Jill and Garys fabulous arena. This is likely to be the base for the club for the coming years, spacious heated luxury for both our training and competitions. Already Geof has planned a demonstration by Matt Ryan and the quadrille will strut their stuff too.

Well, I have rattled on for long enough, it just leave me to thanks all the trainers for their efforts and skills, all of the helpers who have given their time to assist in the running of events and the committee for their support and hard work. It has been a very good year.

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Cheltenham & District Riding Club

Minutes from AGM

Held at

Elmstone Hardwick Village Hall

26^th October 2006

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