Offa's Dyke Group Buddy Scheme

Click on this button for the contact page to volunteer to be a buddy

Click on this Button to request
the help of a Buddy

Please note that this scheme is only available to
Offa’s Dyke members and associate members.

See at the bottom of the page for a list of current Buddies

One of the things members have been asking for is for a ‘Buddy’ scheme, where they can ask for help and advice from more experienced Offa’s Dyke members. We have tried this sort of scheme in the past through the newsletter, but with limited success. Now we have the website, we feel there is more chance to keep the scheme up to date, as we change information regularly. It also avoids the need to publish people’s contact details, as we will put them in touch privately.

What we need is for as many members as possible to volunteer to help and of course some to want a buddy. To be a buddy you don’t need to be an advanced rider. Even if you have only been doing endurance for a short time yourself, you can talk about how you got started and how you are getting on. If people get on well they may decide to ride out at home together or at a ride. It is actually very helpful to have volunteers who are riding their own horses at novice speed, as this is what new people need. An advanced horse & rider may opt to be an email / telephone buddy. Someone to ask questions is always useful. Even if you don’t have a horse to ride at the moment, you can be a buddy and it’s an excellent way to help our sport and make friends at the same time.

To volunteer to be a buddy, please use the left hand CONTACT button above. This will take you to a form asking a few questions, such as name, location and what you are offering to do. No personal information will published on the website. We will then list all the ‘Buddies’ below.

If someone wants to get in touch with one of the ‘Buddies’ they will do so through the right hand CONTACT button. Liz Taylor has kindly offered to then put people in touch privately by email.

REMEMBER THIS SCHEME IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR
OFFA’S DYKE MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.
Any member can be a Buddy or request the help of a Buddy.
This scheme is not limited to 'New Starters' as we have some
very experienced riders who are only too willing to help anyone
wanting to progress to longer distances.

Buddies:

Alyson Williams	Senghenydd, Caerphilly. Mid Glamorgan
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	Possibly
Other information:	I have two horses, one that most people will know, he is called George! My other one is Eddie. We've just broken him in with hopes to do a pleasure ride later next year. I'm hoping to do a lot more rides next year, fingers crossed. I've only been doing this three years, so still new to the sport, but will try to help if I can.

Lesley Dunn	Trellech
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	No
Other information:	I have been competing in Endurance for over 30 years at all levels. I completed my first 100 mile ride in 1986 on my stallion Bonanza. I have also been EGB National Champion in 2003 and Supreme Champion in 2005 with Franzara. I have been on British Teams with Franzara and Chatanz. I have also been breeding Arabian and part Arabian performance horses since 1975 at our stud Warrens Hill Arabians. www.wh-arabians.co.uk

Sue Rich	Bristol
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	No
Accompanying at rides	Possibly
Other information:	I have competed in endurance since 1994 on my Stallion Czarus, previously with BHS! on my event horse, when it was the LDR group (Long time ago)!!! Together with Louise my daughter we have produced many horses to Advanced and International Level. We would both be very happy to help in anyway we can, it is so important to pass on the knowledge that you have gained over the years, and continue to learn from others.

Rachael Rogerson	Forest of Dean
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	No
Accompanying at rides	Yes
Other information:	I am an experience endurance rider who has been competing for 14 years. I have ridden at all levels from novice with my 13.1 pony to young rider European championships and 160km ERs. I would be more than happy to help people along the way as I know there is a lot to learn to begin with. I would be very happy to offer advice via email as well.

Ally Knight	Coleford, Forest of Dean
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	No
Accompanying at rides	No
Other information:	I have been doing Endurance for 19 years. Started on a Fell Pony doing rides up to 40 miles. Now competing on her Arab/Fell daughter who is forward going and sensible.

Andrea Champ	Golden Valley, Herefordshire
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	Possibly
Other information:	I have been involved in the sport since 2008 and am learning a huge amount. Luxor, my 9 year old Arabian and I have been lucky enough to compete abroad this year, doing our first 120k, as members of the WCSP Squad.

Angharad Morgan	Ponthir
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Possibly
Accompanying at rides	Possibly
Other information:	I have completed two endurance seasons with my Welsh Section D pony. We are currently at open level but are hoping to qualify for advanced next season. We partake in a wide range of disciplines and are not very conventional in endurance terms but we have enjoyed lots of low key success and trophies!! I also have a young horse in the pipeline who will hopefully be starting her novice season in 2012 with my father and will prove to be an exciting prospect!

Fenella Lloyd	Hereford / Golden Valley
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Possibly
Accompanying at rides	Yes
Other information:	Very inexperienced at Endurance but have been riding and competing (at a low level!) for many years. I have a youngster who I bought with the intention of competing in Endurance. He's not old enough to compete yet so aiming at practising on pleasure rides. I am also hoping to compete (at a low level & only for fun and for much needed discipline) at Dressage. I am probably best contacted if you want to ask about my own experiences or need moral support rather than for tactical or technical advice!

Chris Wray	Trelleck
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	Possibly
Other information:	Normal training at weekends in the forestry around Trelleck, also travel early in the season for longer training rides.

Gina Harris	Nr Newent Gloucestershire
Is offering:
email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	No
Other information:	Horses: 2 advanced but now old; 1open but still green. I am experienced at all levels in endurance. Available to meet at my yard for occasional riding and info on Endurance. Riding is lanes and some woods.

Rachel Williams	Ross-on-Wye
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	No
Other information:	I have been competing in endurance for 14 years. I have only competed in CRs, not ERs, but have clocked up 5200km on my native pony Midnight Star and won numerous awards. I do not intend to compete much in 2012 but willing to give phone / email support and can hack out together. I am qualified animal behaviourist and equine sports massage therapist.

Fiona Griffiths	Crickhowell
Is offering:
Telephone / email advice	Yes
Riding out from home	Yes
Accompanying at rides	Yes
Other information:	I have 3 horses all advanced and I'm trying to do a 120k one day. I enjoy riding in different places with different people and have made many friends and hope to continue to ride new rides each year.