Archived Newsletter Articles

Winners at The AGM

Prizes were hotly contested at this year's AGM held at Elmstone Hardwicke Village Hall

with some people seeming to run away with all the spoils - naming no names eh Jenny?

There were some pretty close runners up too and trophies were allocated as follows…

Horse of the Year

This is often the easiest trophy to find a winner for and this year was no exception.

Linda Delahooke's Realms of Glory or Arthur as he is usually called is a small horse with a big heart. He has not only made a marvellous recovery from a broken leg but is suffering from cancer yet he qualified at the Area ODE for the Championships held at Offchurch-bury and not only came 6th individually but won the Best ex-Racehorse.

The Bosun Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Acheivement

A new trophy this year which came about for two reasons. Paula Newman lost her beloved horse Bosun and wanted him remembered in some way. Jane Chivers and Alice have become Le Trec Level 2 National Champions! What better way to celebrate Jane's achievement and combine the two?

Best Allrounder

Megan Morgan's Henry has competed in all the disciplines this year in spite of his

advancing years. Showjumping - scoring the other double clear, hunter trials, horse trials and dressage where he came third. A worthy recipient!

Also nominated Ali Lloyd and Harry, Paula Newman and Bosun, Jane Chivers and Alice.

Most Improved Horse

Jenny Tritton's Castle Hill Glen has I'm sure you'll agree, improved almost beyond recognition this year. He won the Winter Progress Points cup, and is now winning prelim and novice dressage tests on a regular basis. At the Area Dressage competition they managed to come home with four rosettes with a team 3rd and individual 6th in the dressage and team 6th and individual 2nd in the riding test.

Most Improved Rider

Jennie Robins was the chosen winner of this trophy. On her lovely horse Logan she too has begun to win both prelim and novice classes, has affiliated & is winning points (dare I say) at every outing! She is having regular lessons with Matt Ryan & is now happy go out & jump fences that she wouldn't have considered a year ago - well done Jennie! 

Best Newcomer

This is the Chairman's choice and for this year Sue has chosen Hannah Gwilliam. Huge thanks to Hannah and her friends who turned out at every evening dressage show at Church Farm to run the clear round.

Best Showjumper

Di Cook's Jaycoozie is still just a youngster but has represented his club this year at the Area show jumping and style jumping. He has improved in ability and attitude this year and was one of only two CDRC horses to jump a double clear this summer.

Best Dressage

Donna Mallon's Senna has had a very successful year, winning the CDRC Winter Dressage Championships in March, coming fourth in the Area Open Dressage in July when he also came second at the BD Area Festival, qualifying  for the Championships - in all amassing more than 100 BD points in a year!

A close second was Camilla Russell and Toome Yankee who won at the Area Novice Dressage and qualified for the BRC Championships at Lincoln.

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Also awarded at the AGM the Winners of the Winter Dressage Points Competition

Jenny and Jan won the Prelim and Novice trophies respectively and Becci Trower won the March Trophy for Best Veteran on Firecracker.

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Cricklands Championships

Sam Cole

Both myself ( Sam Cole and Patchwork Apache) and Beckie Northover and Torchwood went to the Cricklands Championships - I did the prelim championships and Beckie did both the prelim and the novice.

This was our first "stay away" competition and we had an amazing time and would recommend it to any of our fellow riding clubbers, especially if you have young or green horses like ours.

The Friday was just warm up tests however, they placed these as individual competitions as they did with the championship tests on the Saturday and Sunday. Both our horses were a pleasure to ride and were impeccably behaved which for Woody was a miracle as he is frightened of his own shadow.

The final results ended up with me coming 19th in the prelim champs and Beckie 5th. Beckie took the Bronze medal in the Novice Champs, as individual competitions she also had a 1st, two 2nds a 4th an 8th and a 10th over the course of the three days which also gave her 40 quid in prize money so dinner was on her!

Can we also thank Jill and Gary for running the qualifiers as without their support of this event we would not have had a local venue to qualify at.

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COTSWOLD TEAM CHASE 28TH OCTOBER 2007 CDRC Ladies           

Donna Mallon

A phone call from Di Cook a few days before the team chase left me with a huge smile on my face as I had been drafted in at the last minute to be part of CDRC very own team chase team.  Sadly it meant someone had had to pull out and unfortunately Megan Morgans lovely Henry had a minor setback and Megan sensibly did not want to risk him. I understand he is off games for a few months and we look forward to his return to action in the new year.

Arrived at Lord Vesty's estate in pouring rain and a very wet looking lorry park, had managed to persuade unhorsey husband (aka team photographer) to come along with mad rescue dog.  Met up with Di & Katie Holt and off to walk the course.

The open class was running as we walked round and we quickly decided we would not be going as fast as them! The open course had some serious hedges and tight turns but must be a great thrill to do.

Back to our course and nothing that should cause us any problems, the general plan was see what happens and kick on!

All tacked up in very smart team colours and off to the warm up. Having managed to scatter several spectators and children on ponies we sensibly decided to hide in a corner jumping just a couple of warm up fences. All the horses were on their toes and raring to go. The tack check lady gave us instructions to pull up if tired and a quick girth check and we were off.

Ali Lloyd on Harry set a superb pace that she maintained around the whole course, Di on Jay followed with Katie on Ted in hot pursuit. I was supposed to bring up the rear on Senna but due to serious brake failure poor Katie had several screams of "I can't stop" as I came charging past.

All the horses jumped superbly and we were able to stay together as a team the whole way round. We negotiated the drop fence and onto the hedge by the sponsors tent to be met by cheers from many members who had turned out to support us, none more so than Megan.

Down the hill over the barrels, through the water and over the open ditch and we were turning for home, a gallop to the finish and we were all safely home. Everyone was on a real high and had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I believe my arms are now two foot longer but the horses soon caught their breath and looked like they could go round again. After a quick team photo it was back to the lorry park to wash off.

We missed being placed by 0.04sec but did win the girly only team prize of a bottle of champagne each. The times were all so close that 10 secs covered all the placings.

I am sure all the team would like to thank everyone who turned out to support us. It was lovely to see so many CDRC members there. A special mention to Meg who cheered the loudest (really - I am surprised!!) and thanks to Di for organising everyone, to Ali for leading us round safely and to Katie for putting up with me being totally out of control behind her.

Off to purchase some new brakes and to plan our assault on the intermediate course for next year!?!