Happy New Year - As I am reflecting on our December news, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. It is a good time to set new goals - from small goals to medium to long term and even those dream goals. Do let us know of any particular goals you have with your riding or horse care and we will do our best to help you achieve them.
We enjoyed Christmas celebrations, with the Witham Villa Staff and liveries Christmas party at the beginning of the month getting us into the spirit.
Christmas holiday activities - we ran the 12 days of Christmas Clear Round Jumping, with artistically decorated jumps - well done Kate and team for all your efforts, the jumps looked wonderful and I think were enjoyed by all.
Jingle Bell games and Junior Experiences were just some of the other activities.
We had a day dedicated to our Witham Villa Junior Trainees, run by India and including team building, games both with the ponies and without , lunch and a muddy finish in the fields. Thank you India for putting on such a good day.
Unaffiliated Dressage - We ran our Championship show, kindly judged by Sandra Smith and culminating the Autumn Series that was generously sponsored by Rowleys Accountants - www.rowleys.biz Thank you.
There were champions in each class, winning an engraved trophy, congratulations to each of our winners:-
Intro - Open - Duncan Hill riding Shannon
Intro - Veteran Rider - Vivian Smith riding Jimbo Boy
Prelim Short - Open - Alex Montgomery riding Jeanie
Prelim Short - Veteran Rider - Stella Gittings riding Basil
Prelim Short - Veteran Horse - Joanne Scholes riding Bodey
Prelim Long - Open - Sally Lane riding Mocklers John
Prelim Long - Veteran Horse - Tammie Huntley riding Jordan Well Darcey
Novice Open - Allison North riding Fernie
Novice - Veteran Rider - Stephanie Allen riding One Out of The Blue
Novice - Veteran Horse - Stephanie Allen riding One Out of The Blue
Elementary - Open/Veteran Rider - Sara Helmer riding Castleview Dun
Elementary Veteran Horse - Stephanie Allen riding One Out of The Blue
Our Spring Series starts with our first show of 2024 on 8th January
British Dressage - India took Eddie (Escade) out to Newbold Verdon to compete in his first ever Inter 1 class and we are delighted to report that they won on 71.92%, qualifying for the Regionals in one outing. We wish them luck.
Atlantic Harmony - India and Verity took Eddie to Pickering Grange on a very cold December evening to put on a dressage demo at Atlantic Harmony’s first public event. Verity was on the mike and India rode Eddie demonstrating work at PSG/Young Rider and then showing the training to Grand Prix with some one time changes and work towards the piaffe/passage. Eddie was very well behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the whooping and cheering from the audience - a bit different to the normal competition outings. Atlantic Harmony are a local horse riding clothing business. atlanticharmonyequestrian.co.uk
BHS Exams - we hosted a Stage 1 Ride and Care exam for the BHS.
Cross Training - India took Ziggy over to Aylesford for some cross country jump training. She was accompanied by Serina who took Murphy. Both horses and riders had a very enjoyable trip out.
London International Horse Show - Verity enjoyed a day trip out with friends down to London to watch the Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, with Great Britain taking first, second and third.
Witham Villa Staff - We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff for their dedication and hard work and for covering the holidays over Christmas
Horses - Wilma - one of our lovely clients persuaded us to sell Wilma to her as her first horse. Wilma will continue here on working livery initially. We wish Lucie every success with her and know that Wilma will have the best of forever homes with her.
Louis - we are very sad to announce that Louis was put to sleep in December as despite veterinary treatment we were unable to get him sound and pain free. He was a truly beautiful horse and will be forever missed. RIP handsome boy.