NEWS LETTER AUTUMN 2008 OUT NOW 
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TORFAEN RIDING CLUB
NEWSLETTER
Autumn 2008
A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Despite the dismal summer and the difficulty of keeping our horses and ponies fit for competition, I was very delighted to hear about the success of our BRC representatives this year. I must offer many congratulations to both the juniors and the seniors who took part.
The last Open Show was a resounding success and it was such a pity that the other events had to be cancelled. Hopefully, autumn will be kinder .
A very busy home life has left me with many balls in the air this year so I have missed the excitement of seeing you all, .although I have been keeping a close eye on you via the eyes and ears of others. We have a thriving club ,and through it ,very many lovely friends.
I am constantly impressed by the hard work that the committee put in, not just on the club field but off it. They search for extra funding grants, helpful contacts and ways of ‘opening doors’ to improve the club. This raises awareness of the club and its work in the minds of ‘The powers that be’ and the general public alike: how the club benefits the community and how owning horses cultivates a sense of responsibility in young people and how much fun and enjoyment horses can give us. In turn,,the club can only benefit from an appreciation of what it does. To all of you who contribute to achieve all this –WELL DONE!
Marie Sian Davies
ATTENTION PLEASE FOR OUR CHAIRMAN
It has been a great pleasure for me again this year to see the club go from strength to strength and witness how yesterday’s leading rein riders become confident juniors and then go on to represent the club at BRC and Community Events. These are reported elsewhere in the newsletter but I must say "Well done" to Olivia Thatcher and Kath Price for flying the Flag for TRC. Olivia also had a successful weekend at The Championships of GB at Broom s winning a Bronze medal. We must not underestimate the achievements of our representatives at this level. In addition I must mention the outstanding contribution of the group which demonstrated their skills at the Trevethin Fete this summer. The riding to music was truly spectacular, someone said ,"Brought tears to my eyes. It was so lovely."It is with great sadness that I must report the death of one of our members. Dorothy Page had been a member for many years and will always be remembered as a keen rider who came to the Wednesday Club Night on her beloved horse "Dan". She enjoyed being part of the proceedings and loved the hack back to her yard at Llantarnam . On the weekend she would arrange rides for the people on her yard and look after the young riders in her care. Laura mcHagan, Hannah Jeffries, Sue and Nicole Lumley and Bobby will always remember the times hacking out with Dorothy. She was kind , caring and considerate and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Stan and the family.
The AGM is upon us once more and we also look forward to the annual Awards evening. Both are very important so please make a note of the dates and be there.
Finally, I would like to thank the Committee for all their help throughout the year and to Yvonne for the Newsletter.
Keep riding. training and ENJOY.
Flavour of the Day - Representing the Club at a BRC Event by Sian Warman
It was perfect weather, not too hot and not too cold for competing. I had travelled up early on the Sunday with Ffion and Dave Francombe. A very nice little detour through the town of Ledbury meant that we very little time to get ready. We caught up with the rest of the team in the lovely setting of the orchard.
The first discipline was the Dressage which was a real first for many of us! Ffion was to start followed by Charlotte Price, Lizzy Barber and then Eleri John. Ffion and Shai performed a very tidy test scoring a respectable 38 points. The rest of the team were also up in the 30s with Lizzy scoring 40!
That over, I walked the cross country course with Cath Price, the only senior member , and Charlotte and Ffion. whose faces got paler and paler as we progressed . We offered them lots of encouragement and reassurance.
It was then time to change and walk the show jumping course. The clock was ticking and there was very little time but thanks to some careful preparation before leaving home everything was to hand and we emerged perfectly equipped and ready.
I just had time to watch Ffion who went round beautifully but much to our dismay knocked one down. A quick change into colours and scull caps and a change of tack and we were off again. Ffion set off looking a little pale and Dave and I watched with our hearts in our mouths. Before we knew it. She was on her way home wearing the biggest grin humanly possible despite nearly taking a fall at the water.
It was Lizzy’s turn next. Nervously watching from the hill Lizzy’s Mum looked far from well. Lizzy was doing very well, getting over the jumps - then she disappeared out of site to the zig zag. Todd didn’t like this at all and she reluctantly had to retire.
It had been a very full and exciting day. How proud I was of all of them! A big "Well Done" to the youngest team there!
What a Splash!!
It wasn’t raining. One of the few sunny days this summer, but nevertheless, several horses and riders got wet when they met at St Peter’s Church, Henllys. They came for a blessing and they certainly were blessed with sunshine, great company and plenty of fun as they went off riding over the wonderful countryside around Henllys. Reverend Susan Johnson led the gathering in prayers and in the singing of favourite hymns including the very appropriate "All creatures of our God and King". We all loved that – especially us four legged creatures!!
Ughhh!! What ever was that for Reverend Susan? Just as we were lulled into a dreamy sense of contentment you lunge at us with that weapon. What is it? The blessing you say? Holy water? But its WET!!!
Alice,Toby,Ed and Jack ( We also took Elis, Lucy, Jennifer and Katrina with us.)
Can you add to this list? Please Email to me for the next newsletter at vonnebala@hotmail.com
You are a horseperson if:
You have favouirite wheelbarrows,shovels and pitchforks.
Your boots and hats are not a fashion statement.
Your horse’s stall is cleaner than your room.
REPORTS
Cancellations! Cancellations! Cancellations! The Rodeo Bull was really disappointed! He was so looking forward to our Summer camp. Wow! He would have given our bucking broncos something to think about!
Summer Camp, Open Show, Jumpimg Rally - all cancelled.
An Indian Summer may just be on its way so make the most of it if it comes. Wednesday evenings will still open from 5.00 pm.
June Open Show
This was a roaring success and some of members wrote in to say how great it was. "They are getting better and better" said one." Fabulous quality rosettes and medals"
"Committee members and helpers are doing a great job. We musn’t take all their hard work and commitment for granted."
The National Championships of Great Britain
Well done to Olivia Thatcher who won a Bronze Medal on Mr Kipling at this prestigious event. Well done too to all those who took part . There were many clear rounds and placings.
Show Jumping and Equitation – Allensmore
Really glowing report.
Olivia Thatcher on Mr Kipling – WINNER of the overall individual show jumping. Three clear rounds and the fastest time! Qualified to go to the finals in Lincolnshire.
Senior Team – Julie Kowalewski, Chris Evans, Tracey Price and Cath Price came 4th .
Cath Price on Macy Gray came 4th overall individual in Equitation.Well done!
OPEN Dressage Qualifier Show –Hosted by Wye Valley Riding Club at Chepstow Racecourse Sunday 6th July
Cath Price on Macy Gray competed in two events ; came 4th in Prlim 14 Test and 1st in Riding Test 6. As a result they qualified for the National Championships on 6th/7th September in Lincolnshire. They must be congratulated for a really good showing there and for representing TRC. We are very proud of them.
Novice Show Jumping at Sunnybank E.C
Well done to Kirsty Brann who won the 2’3" on Sept 14th.
Achievement of Other Kinds
Congratulations to Justine on the birth of her baby.
Congratulations to Katie Gates who qualified in fencebuilding and will go to Olympia.
Apologies for any omissions. Please submit any reports for the newsletter to Yvonne by email on vonnebala@hotmail.co.uk or in writing to Uplands Farm, Sebastopol, PONTYPOOL NP4 5DQ
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TORFAEN RIDING CLUB
NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2008
Committee
Mark Jones Chairperson 07969924050
Julie Thorne Vice Chairperson 07775852698
Anita Biggs Treasurer 07793393302
Vicky Gillard BRC Secretary 07877106824
Sian Warman Minute Secretary 07773510876
Committee Members
Ceri Thomas 01495774510 Kholy Khan 07880965886
Claire Rowles 07968699731 Deb Bury 07575488601
Keighley Thomas 07988860496 Bekki Wills
Liz Vanpointing Deb Wheeler
Cath Barber Nicola Taylor
Brenda Long
Dear Members
With the gloomiest day of the year behind us ( that was last Monday according to the papers) I would like to wish you all a happy new year. You may have made one or two new year resolutions including some relating to your riding and your horses.
Whichever ones you break, don’t let them be the ones to do with the latter. The club is here to help and encourage you with any that relate to the welfare of your horse as well as your riding. . Sam’s stable management course at the Thomas’ yard is one organised activity which will keep you on track and also give you an opportunity to get a qualification and ITS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN.
The club has planned a very exciting and busy programme of events for the coming year.
OPEN SHOWS
(to include jumping and showing)
Dates: Monday May 5th ( Bank holiday) ; Monday May 26th (Bank holiday)
Sunday June 29th Sunday July 20th
Monday August 25th(Bank holiday)
BRITISH RIDING CLUB AREA 15
Qualifiers 2008
New Winter Team Dressage 2nd February Pencoed College
Novice Indoor Team Jumping 24th February Pencoed College
Hunter Trials Date to be confirmed
Show Jumping 22nd June Allensmore Farm, Hereford
Horse Trials ( One Day Event) 1st June Hilltop Farm,Ledbury
Open/Novice Dressage 6th July Chepstow
Championships 2008
Novice Indoor Jumping 5th/6th April Hartpury College
Winter Dressage 5th/6th April Hartpury College
Festival of the Hunter 31st May-1st June Aston-le-Walls
Horse Trials 8th-10th August Offchurch
National Championships 6th-7th September Lincolnshire
Team practice sessions are being held at Usk College on Sundays. Please contact Julie Thorne. The final teams to represent the club will be decided by the committee.
Applications for British Riding Club events have to made well in advance. Please contact Vicky Gillard , who is our BRC secretary, to register your interest as early as possible.
Please refer to the list of dressage tests for 2008 which is appended.
TRIPS
Open Show Jumping at the NEC April
Badminton 3rd May
Please contact Vicky if you are interested.
CLUB FUNDS
Good news from our treasurer. We are in good shape. As this is YOUR club and the committee would welcome your input if you have a suggestion to make. The committee meets regularly once a month. The February meeting is OPEN to all members and this could be your opportunity to discuss the clubs needs in the coming year.
COMMITTEE MEETING DATES
Mon Feb 25th, 7.30 pm at Croesyceiliog Cricket Club. Open Meeting
31st March,/ 28th April/19th May/30th June/20th July/18th Aug/29th Sept
TORFAEN RIDING CLUB WEBSITE
Have you had a look at our website recently? Thanks due to Julie for keeping it up to date. Please help by sending in information and use it. It is often the place to find out about things that are happening at short notice. So DON’T MISS OUT - CHECK IT OUT.
www.trc-online.orgAPOLOGIES
Many people were disappointed as there was no Christmas Rally. We are truly sorry and hope to make up for it by organising something special for Easter.
HORSE TERMS
Auction - a popular social gathering where you can change your horse from a liability into and asset.
Colic - Gastrointestinal result of eating at horse show food stands.
Colt - what your mare gives you when you want a filly.
Endurance ride - end result when your horse spooks and runs away with you.
Feed - expensive substance used to manufacture manure.
Fence - decorative structure built to provide a horse with something to chew on.
Grooming - fine art of removing dirt from body of horse and applying it to your own.
Hock -Financial condition of all horse owners.
Lunging - popular training method in which the horse exercises his owner by spinning him in circles until dizzy.
If you want your newsletters emailed rather than sent by post please follow the simple steps:
Mail us at Mail@trc-online.org.uk with your Name, Email Address to which you would like us to send your newsletters to, and any other members (i.e. family). We will then send all other newsletters to you.