BHS Riding Schools Competition- Regional Final - we held a regional qualifier here at Witham Villa during the half term holiday. We were delighted that so many people took part - some competing for their first time and also some that have done the competition in previous years. Congratulations to everyone who took part and we have the following riders going through to the National Final to be held at Pickering Grange Leicestershire on Wednesday 3rd April:-
12 & Under Complete - Beau and Niall
13-17 Complete - Olivia and Nichola
18 & Over Complete - Eden and Rowan
17 & Under Prelim dressage - Sophia Pratt
18 & Over Prelim dressage - Rowan and Sarah
Good luck in the final everyone and have a wonderful day.
BHS Stage Training - a new course for the care section of Stage 1 and Stage 2 started this month, running at 4pm for Stage 1 and 5pm for Stage 2 on Monday evenings and run by Louise Mellor
Horses - in February we had our annual Local Authority vet’s inspection for the horses and are very pleased that they all passed and looked very smart, shiny, fit and well. We have a continual programme for each of our horses to be seen by vet, physio, massage, chiropractor, osteopath, dentist, farrier, whatever is needed to keep each individual horse fit and well.
We also make sure that we keep ourselves well looked after with trips to physio, massage, osteo, etc and keep as fit and as supple as we can to help our horses when we ride them.
British Dressage - We were pleased with the regional results for our horses - India and Izzy got 69.46% for a 9th place in the Medium Gold competition at Onley. India and Ivan got 69% for 8th place in Elementary Gold. Verity and Gaya were 7th in the Medium Silver Freestyle. Fingers crossed for some wild cards to the National Winter Championships!
India and Eddie attended an Under 21 International Training Camp at the Unicorn Centre, which included Test Riding the Young Rider Test (PSG), training with Peter Storr, Rider strength and conditioning, psychology, nutrition and Horse vet check, tack check and physio check. and a lecture on international horse travel.
India and Eddie continue to train with Gareth Hughes and also with Peter Storr.
Verity and Gaya benefit from training with Kate Cowell and Gareth Hughes.
International Horse Transport - to travel horses abroad post Brexit requires a lot of planning and ensuring everything is compliant with European law. To this end Verity and Chris undertook a mammoth trip across to Southern Ireland to get the horsebox checked and certificated as suitable for use in Europe. This entailed leaving the yard at 7.45pm on Saturday evening and driving up to Holyhead, catching the 2.40am ferry across to Dublin, driving to Coopers where the lorry was checked by the vet, then driving back to the port to get the 2.30pm ferry back to Holyhead and then driving back home, arriving back at 10.20pm! Very pleased to say that the lorry is now fully certificated and compliant!
Dressage Camp - very sadly Verity had to cancel the day camp for February due to completely losing her voice! India very kindly stepped in and was able to give a lesson to each of the riders, which they all enjoyed. The next camp is on Monday 22nd April, bookable via My Riding Life.
Staff - congratulations to Olivia who passed her NVQ 2 this month, achieving the Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship. This involves a lot of dedication and hard work, so very well done.
February was also the month for our Staff Appraisals - a great opportunity to sit down and reflect on the achievements of the past 12 months and to set goals for the next year.
Future Events - look out for Pole clinic on 11th March and we are delighted to be hosting a Kate Cowell dressage clinic on 25th March - booking for both via My Riding Life