Dawn Allen (Chairlady and Dressage Team Manager) started riding at four, as soon as her feet slotted into the leathers! Having a mother who loved horses and father who raced motorbikes, she confesses that she was never destined for gymnastics!
Dawn has hunted, competed in showing classes and been groom for her sister at team chases. She now sticks to the more sedate side of life, after her boy ‘Sexy’ injured himself out hunting on Boxing Day ’07 – If only he knew the cost of vets at Christmas! As well as looking after Sexy, the 16H ID x Lippizzana, she helps her sister with her two big boys. Dawn juggles her horses with working in the NHS and supporting an equestrian company in sales, so she’s never short of a ‘to do’ list!
Dawn joined the committee to make a difference, to meet people and support the social side to riding. As chair(lady!) she hopes to motivate, encourage and challenge, introduce more diversity and expand the clubs horizons! Phew, another big to-do list!
Nichole Baker (Membership secretary*) joined CDRC in 1992. Over this time she has held different positions within the committee, gaining a valuable insight of all the inner workings of running a club.
Noel Ennett (Treasurer*) has been on the committee 
of CDRC for some years now firmly believing that you get out what you put in. For two years he was Chairman but has recently taken over the role of Treasurer. Noel started riding in his late 30′s to keep his daughter company in her lessons. He has owned his current horse, Hazza – a 16.2 Danish Warmblood since 2004. “He is everything anyone could want from a horse, perfect temperament, a pleasure to be around and a pleasure to take anywhere.” It was only after buying Hazza that Noel found out that fun rides could be fun!
Hazza and Noel have represented the club at Area competitions in Dressage, Show Jumping and Horse Trials and thoroughly enjoy the “team” atmosphere and hopefully they can continue doing so for some years to come.
Jo Holley (Helper Co-ordinator) comes from a horsey family. She was lucky enough to get her first pony aged two and hasn’t stopped riding since. She has been a member of the BSJA while on her 11.2hh pony, and was also a member of the Jersey Drag Hunt and their branch of the Pony Club until she moved to the mainland in 2003 to start university. On occasion when sh
e returns home in the winter months, she’s still fortunate enough to accompany her mother in the role of ‘fox’ for the hunt.
Jo joined the riding club in 2007, gaining invaluable training on her mare Lilly. She’s since bought Dexter and she hopes to be taking an active part in the club’s training, competitions and teams with him soon.
Jules Newberry (ODE Team Manager and website designer) grew up in Hampshire and has been falling off ponies since she was 10. A keen member of the Pony Club she attended every rally, camp and area competition that she could until she had to leave home and enter the real world. She moved to Cheltenham in 1998 and borrowed 
horses until finances allowed her to own again. Her most recent purchase, Toby, arrived in Jules’ life in 2008 and since then she has competed with him at affiliated dressage and eventing. They qualified as individuals for the riding club Horse Trials Nationals in 2009 (finishing 9th) and the Team Dressage Nationals in 2010 (10th). It’s not all been plain sailing with the lovable Mr T, but plenty of training sessions with the club has helped smooth the way.
Jules admits to being very competitive and incredibly enthusiastic. She’s looking forward to encouraging newbies to dressage and eventing to have a go and pushing the seasoned campaigners to achieve their best.
Hannah Gwilliam (Events Co-ordinator) has been a CDRC member for many years. She joined after buying her Gelderlander, Prince. She joined to broaden their horizons, as with the club there is access to a good mix of instructors and riding venues.
Prince was bought as a project, a stepping stone to something better. He was brought to 
England as a carriage horse, doing weddings and funerals. He was however surplus to requirement. Thinking she could see a quick buck, Hannah bought him. He was a pleasure to bring into ridden work and such a gentleman that she could never sell him. Together they have tried their hand at most things, doing some low key competing and has been on some of the club’s teams.
Nicola Klaiber (Dressage Team Manager & Flatwork Training Mentor) spent her childhood breaking other peoples wild animals, showing M&Ms, Working Hunters and doing all pony club activities. She most of her experience competing the family’s 15hh stud stallion who did everything. Later on it was a Connemara stallion who again did everything, including competing at Olympia.
Nicky always wanted to do dressage, bu
t never had a suitable horse. She gave up horses whilst her children were growing up and bought and sold ponies to finance her daughters interest. Now 18, and with dressage ambitions herself (Nicky uses this as an excuse for now being to old and scared to jump!) they share Highnoon, a beautiful black stallion whom they compete with British Dressage.
Michelle Holder (Show Jumping Team Manager) has been a member of the club for several years and has represented the club in all disciplines. She has been riding since a 
child, taking a break to have her two sons. Michelle owns three horses: Daisy a 16.2hh TB x WB who she competes on; Orly, a young, but giant WB/ID coloured; and Fleur a 15.2hh TBx who is a broodmare.
Michelle joined the committee hoping to bring new ideas and lots of enthusiasm. As she is a hairdresser she finds it easy to talk, listen and mix with people. She looks forward to seeing new and old members, hopefully being able to encourage them to have fun and become active members of the club. Michelle is a Child Protection Officer for the club.
Sian Evans (Team Manager – Hunter Trials) is a senior member of the riding club, and can often be found teaching riding for the disabled & Pony Club. She enjoys competing 
with British Eventing at BE90 and BE100 levels. Sian has many horses at home with her and her partner Rob Phelps (an Olympic Pentathlete in his younger days).
Sian is willing to help with all levels of Riding Club activities and horse welfare and also competes on all the teams. Sian is a child protection officer for the club.
Jeanette Stayt (Team Manager – Combined Training & Blenheim Co-ordinator) probably has equine blood in her veins! Her history in equestrianism covers almost all disciplines, but most notable achievements are in the jumping and showing spheres. She has plenty of stories to tell about her adventures, when you get opportunity, pull Jeanette over for a cup of tea and a chat…!
Jeanette joined CDRC in 2009 and since then (among others) has ridden in the Open show jump team and represented the club at the Championships in Lincoln. She has also been successful at Blenheim, Windsor and Hickstead.
Nadine Exner (Secretary) came from 
Zimbabwe where she used to run a riding school, compete show-jumping and re-school ex-race horses. As a Junior, Nadine rode for her country on a few occassions in Showjumping teams and competed to JA. Due to leaving home and raising a child, she now rides for fun and tries to get out and about to a few local shows. She works as a PA to a Director at Gloucester Royal Hospital and currently studying for her AI to get a formal teaching qualification.
Pip Wilson (Mercian Mentor and Grass Roots Trainer) has been riding since she was 3. She admits that she spent her formative years hanging underneath her grandfather’s race horses, driving her mother potty! She worked for race trainers until her present job bought her into the warm and dry of Prestbury Park Equine Supplies. Pip owns the lovely Dudley, and together they enjoy nothing more than a good gallop across Cleeve Hill. Dudley and Pip have been competing during the last year and have done very well, qualifying for the show jumping National Championships in 2010, and recently being placed 6th at the Cricklands Derby.
* Not active at committee meetings
