News Archive

 

 

Karen Jones is able to take more entries for Black Mountain Group Ride this Sunday as long as people email or phone her first.

Telephone 01873 890771

or

 

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Our thanks go to Belinda Stewart and all her helpers who made today's Blaenavon ride such a success.  More than 60 riders entered and enjoyed good weather in the first part of the morning with a bit (!) of rain and wind later.  This was a real shame as there were exceptional views during the preceding days when the route was being marked. 

Photos taken on the day by Celia Saunders can be viewed at www.artantix.co.uk

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We are about to start our summer holiday and though it was time to remind everyone of the forthcoming Offa's Dyke rides.

Blaenavon Group Social Ride on 4th July

Ludlow NCR, CR and ER on 16th to 18th July

Black Mountains Group Social Ride on 25th July

 

 

Pat Conn would like to hear from anyone born or living in Wales who would like to be in the Welsh team to go to the Home International which this year is in Scotland

Please contact Pat Conn, Penpompren, Tregaron, Ceredigion, SY25 6NG Telephone: 01974 298584

 

The De Cymru Group have organised a riding event to be held at Wentwood Forest over the weekend of 29th and 30th May.  

On the 29th May the ride is organised as a fundraiser for Kentucky and on the 30th a fundraiser for the Welsh Team for the Home International.   

There will be three distances offered each day, 32km, 27km and 18km.  There is camping and corralling available nearby (contact organiser – Penny Cavill)  

Information on Stabling and corralling:-  there are two yards that will provide stabling.  Cledd y Tan Farm is the main one about 2.5 miles from the venue at Kilgwrrwg.  It is a fantastic venue with spectacular views and a large outdoor school.   Camping in lorries is £5/night and stabling £12.  A double bedroom is available in the house. There are four stables available.  The other venue is Trem Hafren at Earlswood, slightly closer.  There are three loose boxes available and accommodation for three that get on together in the barn and possibly a paddock.  There is an Inn in the village of Shirenewton called the Huntsman as well.  

There is more information on the EGB de Cymru website and if anyone has any queries regarding this ride or want to enter they can contact Sue Box or Penny Cavill – contact details on their website.

Our trainee reporter (Carolyn) was entrusted with the camera to take a selection of photos around the new Govilon ride in March.  It was no mean feat to ride and take pictures at the same time and some turned out better than others!  It has taken some time to sort them out and we have now put the best ones on a new Govilon ride page. 

Oops! A tricky shot goes wrong! 

Oops! A tricky shot goes wrong!
Check the Govilon page for some better photographs

 

We have received the following email from Helen Boston, the Chef de'Quipe for the Endurance GB Young Riders Squad

Hi everyone

I have today registered the British Young Rider's Endurance Squad with the Tesco shopping vouchers scheme, so that we may take advantage of obtaining various goods for use by the squad at their training weekends and camps throughout the year.  It is an excellent opportunity not only to be more "cost effective" as a group, but also to be able to provide new and up to date equipment for all of the youngsters who are the future of our sport. I am sure that many of you and your friends, colleagues, etc shop at Tesco’s, and like me, some won’t have collected the vouchers due to previously having no need for them.  Well now you do!!  On behalf of all of the "Young Riders" we would like to ask that you collect these vouchers and forward them to me!!  The scheme closes on May 9th this year, so it would be great to collect as many as possible before this date.

Please send any vouchers to Helen Boston at:

28 Ash Grove, Kirklevington, Yarm, TS15 9NQ

Many thanks for your help and support and I look forward to receiving your vouchers shortly!!

Kind regards

Helen Boston
Chef de'Quipe Endurance GB Young Riders Squad

We will be happy to collect any vouchers at either of the Bluebell rides on the 24th or the 25th of April.

A fabulous day was had by all competitors in our first ever Offa’s Dyke Dressage competition with 16 competitors entered – several of which had never taken part in a dressage competition in their lives. This was the brainchild of Fiona Griffiths, who thought it would be a good way to follow on from the series of lessons we arranged over winter at Huntley School of Equitation with Carole Broad FBHS. Most of the participants, but not all had taken part in some of the winter lessons and so our horses were used to the indoor school. Carole very kindly agreed to judge the completion for us free of charge, for which we are very grateful. Fiona’s idea was to have relaxed rules, allowing us to ride in our normal endurance tack and clothing and this was the factor which persuaded several people to have a go. Everyone enjoyed the day and asked us to arrange another competition next winter.

Click here to see the results.

Big "THANK YOU" to Nicola and all her family & helpers for a fantastic ride.  We’d also like to give a big thank you to Belinda (organiser of the nearby Blaenavon Pleasure Ride in July) for guiding her through the many potential pitfalls. We noticed lots of clearing & sawn branches so someone (Dad?) been very busy. Thanks as well to the helpers and check point stewards.  Everyone we spoke to really enjoyed it.  We were certainly blessed with the most perfect weather - and the views were absolutely spectacular! It was a fantastic route, superbly marked, wonderful venue field and perfect weather - what more could you ask for. What a beautiful part of the world we live in.  How lucky are we!  

 Fantastic views on the Govilon Ride

Jan Rath and Lady Dancer enjoy the fantastic view from around the Blorenge

What a tremendous achievement for Nicola to organise a ride - only last year she came to the Offa's Dyke novice training afternoon! It's great to have new people coming forward to organise rides and Offa's Dyke is very lucky to have this - the first of two brand new pleasure rides for 2010. Please remember that Gabby Franklin is running 'Under Hay Bluff' for us later in the summer (see the ride & events page for more details).  

An easy start over the canal

An easy start over the canal

The views were amazing and Carolyn was tasked by the web master to take lots of photos for the website. These will be added to a new Govilon web page in due course as some need a bit of work (if anyone has tried to take photos with one hand whilst steering your horse up a Welsh hill, you'll appreciate the challenge).   Thanks again to Nicola and all her family & friends for giving up their Sunday for us. What a fabulous turnout with 83 entries!

 

adventa and Monmouthshire County Council are working on a joint project that is European funded for multi-purpose routes within Monmouthshire, to include walkers, cyclists and horse riders, that will encourage visitors to Monmouthshire but also benefit the local community.  

They have identified two potential routes in the Wye Valley and would like to show interested parties the proposed routes.  They are holding an open meeting on Wednesday 21 April 2010 at St Arvans Memorial Hall (2 miles north of Chepstow and 3 miles south of Tintern, NP16 6ES) – it will be an informal opportunity for interested parties to drop in and look at the maps and discuss the routes between the hours of 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

Click here for more information.

 

Helpers are still needed for the Bluebell National ride on Sunday 25th of April.  Please contact if you can help.

 

We have received the following message and would appreciate it if as many people as possible could respond to this as it could make the Forest of Dean rides even better!  We suggest that you tick the 'Riding Club' option under 'Membership' on the attached form.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE FOREST OF DEAN AREA THIS MESSAGE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ AND THEN OPEN AND COMPLETE THE SUPPORT DOCUMENT ATTACHED. PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE ONTO ANYONE ELSE YOU KNOW WHO LIVES OR RIDES IN THE FOREST OF DEAN AREA.  

Local bridleways group, The Forest of Dean Riders and Carriage Drivers Association, have been working very hard behind the scenes bidding for funding to create a network of long-distance and local, circular routes across the Forest of Dean District.  

The great news is that our application has cleared the first hurdle and we now need to add some more details to our final bid. We need to show just how many people would appreciate a "joined-up" network of bridleways. As riders and carriage drivers there are obvious benefits to us in creating new paths, and especially linking some of the areas that are currently inaccessible due to busy road crossings or lack of connecting bridleways.

By incorporating options for long-distance rides from Dymock in the north to Tiddenham in the south, there will be business opportunities for pubs and B&Bs en route to enjoy the custom of both local riders and tourists. On top of this the value of equestrianism to the local economy is worth £millions!  That's farriers, tack shops, livery yards, feed and bedding suppliers, instructors, vets etc.... Everyone's a winner!  

So please show your support for a new bridleway network, and ask every one of those people who will also benefit, by filling in the attached form and returning as soon as possible (this week would be really helpful) by email (address is on the form) or hard copy to Jenny Carling, Standfast Annexe, Kilcot Hill, Kilcot, Glos GL18 1NJ. And if you can copy this to friends and service providers as well, that would be great!  

This is a fantastic opportunity and all you need to do is show that you care.  

Thank you  

Nikki Moore On behalf of The Forest of Dean Riders and Carriage Drivers Association

 

Weren't we lucky to have had dry weather last week? 10 days ago the venue was under water & we were panicking about being able to use it, but it was dry & perfect on Sunday.  This years ride was a real 'organisation by committee', Judy Taylor kindly agreed to be organiser on the day so we could all ride our horses & loads of people chipped in to help beforehand.  Entries were much lower than normal, probably due to the fact that people just haven't been able to get their horses fit.  The longer classes in particular had only a third of the usual numbers. 

The new parts of the route rode especially well & there were some lovely views. Carolyn had a lovely ride round with Margaret McKiddie & Bonnie Anne for company, after a very shaky start to the day, when her trailer wheel jammed.  She had to beg a lift from Sue Loveridge in her trailer.  Patches had never travelled with another horse before and never loaded on the left, but she went in after a little persuasion and really enjoyed having a travelling companion.

Thanks to all the volunteers helpers on the day. It was lovely sunny day, but cold if you were standing around.

Carolyn's crew even managed to see some of the Sculpture Trail in between looking after both her and Margaret's horses!  

Forest of Dean March Hares 2010 Ride

 

Our Secretary, Rachel Williams, is completing the final year of an Equine Sports Massage course and she is doing a project on arthritis supplements.  She would like to know what members use or have used in the past, and what they think about the product.  She would be very grateful for your help.  She has so far looked into Cortaflex, Superflex by NAF and Reflex by Hilton Herbs.  If you have tried these, she would like to know what you thought.  She is also keen on hearing about other products.  Please her with any information or questions.

 

Class 1 Intro A (Walk and trot)

Class 2 Prelim 7

Offa’s Dyke Group EGB members and associate members only

Special rule: Normal endurance tack and clothing allowed. We hope this will encourage people to have a go, who may normally be put off by having to wear the correct ‘dressage’ outfit and tack.

Facilities; we have use of the outdoor school to work in and the indoor school with judges box and public viewing gallery for the competition. Fiona will call your test if you like. This can be very helpful if you have trouble memorizing the test! We also have use of the office to deal with entries and hand out results & rosettes to 6th place. The car park is hard standing, but due to numbers we will have to park very tidily and close to fit everyone in. Be prepared for a bit of a wait if you enter both classes.

You will be given times for your tests in advance (see below) and these will be strictly adhered to, so please be on time and ready for the steward to call you to the indoor school. Tests will be judged by Carole Broad and you will be given a copy of your test results with her comments at the end of the competition, along with your rosette if you’re placed. If you can’t wait until the end to get your result, please leave a large SAE at the office for us to post it on to you.

Entry fee £7.50 per class. (Concessionary entry fee £5 per class for those who’ve attended this winter’s schooling lessons subsidised by profit from lessons). Cheques payable to Offa’s Dyke Group of EGB

Entry numbers are strictly limited. Closing date 28 February, but it is already filling fast. Entries on Offa’s Dyke Social Ride entry form (available to download from the ‘forms’ page of the website. Please note on the entry form which classes you wish to enter. Also note if you need Fiona to send you a copy of the dressage tests enclosing an SAE.

To Fiona Griffiths Ty Mawr Farm, Bwlch, Brecon, LD3 7NX.

Any questions tel 01874730987 or Email: info@golden-castle.co.uk

Phone for times on the Friday eve 6pm to 9pm

A volunteer is still needed to help everyone park tidily. Please contact Fiona. This will count as helping for your Trophy card!!

Sorry that there has been no news for a month, it has all been a bit hectic with the weather conditions and getting ready for the March Hares ride.  You would think that getting maps onto the web site would be easy but it still took the webmaster some time to get there!

Offa's Dyke members Sara and  Rachael Rogerson have an exciting new blog – both of these top International Riders are now featured on the Horse and Rider website and will be in the next issue of the Horse and Rider magazine – go to http://www.horseandrideruk.com/article.php?id=814 to see their first blog.

The January Newsletter is now available for down-load and has been mailed out.  This includes an additional note regarding the dates of the Bluebell Rides which have had to go back a week due to a clash of events in the Forest of Dean.  The Pleasure Ride will be on the 24th April and the National CR will be on the 25th April.

The newsletter refers to two additional files on the web site.

Click here for the photos of Sarah and Rachel  from 'A Most Satisfying Year!'

Click here for the photos of Margaret McKiddie's 'Ride Across the Andes'

The first Committee Meeting of 2010 (due 14/01/10) has been cancelled due to continuing problems with snow and ice.  As there were a few items on the Agenda that would have been reported in the Newsletter, we have decided to delay it publication a few days while the Committee details can be sorted outside of a formal meeting.  We hope that you will understand the newsletter's delay and look forward to its publication.

The 2010 Ride Schedule has been loaded onto the EGB website.  However, we have noticed that two rides; Wentwood on 21st February, and Mynydd Machen on 9th May have been attributed to Offa's Dyke in error.  Whilst this has now been corrected, it is possible that the error will appear in the published schedule.  Please note that these rides are organised by our neighbouring group De Cymru.

Belinda, the ride organiser has made the very difficult decision to cancel the Christmas Cracker ride due this Sunday.  She went to inspect the venue at Staunton this afternoon & there is still a lot of snow round the entrance to the forestry & along the track so she decided there & then to cancel the ride.  With more freezing weather on the way during the next few nights it will be lethal & she (quite sensibly) is not prepared to take any risks – it only takes one disaster to spoil the day.  We hope that you won't be too disappointed and will look forward to Maryland in February. 

Please let us know if you got anything horsey for Christmas that is new, novel or interesting that other members should know about.  We will add an item to the web site or include them in the next newsletter.

Our Secretary, Rachel Williams, is completing the final year of an Equine Sports Massage course and she is doing a project on arthritis supplements.  She would like to know what members use or have used in the past, and what they think about the product.  She would be very grateful for your help.  She has so far looked into Cortaflex, Superflex by NAF and Reflex by Hilton Herbs.  If you have tried these, she would like to know what you thought.  She is also keen on hearing about other products.  Please her with any information or questions.

Monmouthshire trails project

Adventa and Monmouthshire County Council Countryside Service, are developing a number of multi-purpose Tourism Trail routes for horse riders, cyclists, walkers and disabled users. We are currently trying to establish circular riding route in Monmouthshire which will appeal to horse riders who wish to bring their own horses and ponies to ride and possibly stay in the area.   

They are keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in the project - whether they have a business which would benefit from the establishment of this trail, if they can offer horse B&B / a field for overnight stays / or other horse-related services, or if they can help as volunteers for particular stretches of the route, or offer any other assistance.    

One proposed route will run through the Wye Valley, a second shorter route, upgrading the Kings Wood Riding Route at Wonastow/ Dingestow is also being considered and a third route through Wentwood Forest.   The next stage will be to call a meeting of interested parties.

If you would like to attend a meeting in the future, find out more about the proposed route, or get involved in the project, or if you can offer help and advice please contact at Adventa on 01873 736035,  or at MCC Countryside Service on 07917597793.

Twins Sarah and Rachael have both been sitting their final year at University, so mum Mary has played a crucial role in keeping all three of their horses fit. Rachel and Gryphon are this year’s EGB national champions, having won the 160km Solstice ER at Cirencester and then capped the season by coming a very close second in the Arab Marathon.  

Sarah being crewed at Sherwood

Sarah has also had some fantastic ER results and is now in California working for international endurance rider Dom Freeman – maybe we should get her to talk to us about her experience when she comes home!   We asked proud dad Steve to give us a brief reminder of the families’ successes in 2009.

For his report and photos click here

We have received the following request to Margaret McKiddie from the wife of the landowner who so very kindly provides the Cranham ride venue:

Dear Margaret,

I wondered if you knew anyone who is looking for a horse to ride, or whether there is an endurance newsletter/email list that I could advertise on  as I really need to find someone locally to exercise my "foster" horse? My little grey mare is back in work and seems to be holding up so I just don't have the time for two. Doods is 15.2hh, Chestnut, Arab and 9 years old but hasn't done anything but hack around since he was backed. He needs a competent rider with a sense of humour and adventure as he is very green in many ways and  hasn't done much in the last 2 years but he is a very kind and fun horse who just wants to get out and do something. The only conditions are that he has to stay here are Overtown and his owner, who is in Israel, is prepared to pay for his livery because of this so the loanee would only be responsible for insurance and day to day costs. He lives out so work is minimal and as I have to be here to do my two horses anyway I check/feed him at the same time so in effect, all someone has to do is turn up a few times a week and ride! I can pass on further details/photos etc if required. If you can help that would be wonderful as he is bored and fat and that's not a good combination for an Arab! 

Many thanks, Pauhla Whitaker     

Overtown Farm, Cranham, Glos, GL4 8HQ, Tel: 01452 864 723

 

Details of the Trophies and Special Rosettes are on the Annual Awards page or can be downloaded as a word file by clicking here.

A copy of the Ride Record Card was sent out with the January Newsletter and is also available here if you have misplaced yours.

Chris Wray's contact details are on the second page of the Newsletter.

The new Offa's Dyke Challenge trophy

This year there will be a new award - the Offa's Dyke Challenge presented by Carolyn Edwards in memory of Tarr Steps Hannah to the Horse/Rider combination scoring the most trophy points in their 3 highest scoring competitions on Offa's Dyke Group rides.

As soon as you’ve finished your last EGB ride, please send your completed card to the Trophy Secretary – Chris Wray at Pentrewheeler Farm, Cwmcarvan, Nr Monmouth, Gwent, NP25 4PL.

You should have received a Trophy claim card and a separate list of the trophies and rosettes available with your Jan 09 newsletter. If you’ve lost yours, please download one from our website – ‘forms’ page 

Hinton Airfield nr Farthinghoe, Brackly, Northants. A toute of approx 15 miles (shorter route available) starting at Hinton Airfield and using local bridleways and private land. Virtually no roadwork.  Click here for more information.

It is with regret that we have decided to postpone the new Urishay pleasure ride due to the very low interest shown for this superb new ride and venue.  It will be rearranged for the first half of 2010.

Margaret says:

"Thank you to everyone who helped, your support was very much appreciated.  Thank you also to 100 riders for entering.  We were blessed with good weather and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves."

Please note that the photographer has promised that the pictures will be on his web site within 72hours of the event.  His web site is:

www.agcphotography.com

On Sunday, 6th September, there will be a Pembrey Pleasure Ride (South and West Wales group). 16k and 20k plus optional beach ride. From 10.00 am (Last horse out at 12.30) Entries on the day using the EGB Ride Entry form. Price: Members £10.00, Non-Members  £15.00. Please note there will also be a charge to enter Pembrey Park. An entry form and the ride poster may be downloaded from their website: http://www.endurancegb-south-and-west-wales-group.org.uk/

For further information, please contact: Elaine Perry on 01267 241674 or Hilary Kaye on 01558 650358

Note this is at a new venue this year so please pay particular attention to the ride details when they arrive!

It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Les Riley on Monday 10 August. Les died peacefully in his sleep on Monday night and his wife Margaret asked us to let all their friends in Offa’s Dyke group know.  

Many of you will remember Les helping at rides, most recently at the Forest of Dean Bluebell ride in April. His specialty was the vet steward job and his trademark was his megaphone, which he used to great effect. He and Margaret helped out from the very beginning of Offa’s Dyke, with Margaret acting as secretary and Les as membership secretary of the group. He will be greatly missed.  

The funeral will probably be on Wed 26th August, around 11.0pm at Weobley.  Margaret says "No black, unless someone feels it is disrespectful not to wear black. We want it to be a happy thankful service with jokes and laughter. Les and I always agreed that it was much better to be born lucky than rich and our luck has held to the end."  

Margaret would prefer anyone wishing to contact her to use email.  Please send any messages to us (if you don’t have Margaret’s email address) and we will forward them on.

Update received 0n 15/08/09 from Margaret Riley:

"The whole family has been overwhelmed by the kindness and love that has been expressed following Les' death. We all knew he was an AOK bloke but we were not aware how many lives he has touched. The funeral, although we would far rather call it a grateful celebration of Les' life, is now to be on 27th (Thursday ) Aug. at 11.15 am. Mark (our eldest) and his family  run a pub about 4 miles up the road from Weobley and the wake is being held there. I hesitated to ask them , but they offered. Les would have been so pleased!! So anyone who comes from OD please do come along so we can say thanks for coming to you all. Lyn will put on a good spread we know. We are having family flowers only, but donations to either Water Aid, Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureau, or Herefordshire Mind would be more than welcome. We hope the funeral director will look after this for us in the church, but we will have collecting boxes for each charity at the wake."

An Equine plus General car boot on Monday 17th August @ Govilon car boot field. 6.30pm start. Gates open for sellers 6pm. Proceeds towards the SWHP (Horse and Pony Welfare) Monmouth. Sellers £5 Buyers 50p

Enquires 07968928870

Directions: Heads of Valleys road (A465) Abergavenny to Brynmawr. At Gilwern roundabout take the first exit signposted Govilon. Field on right after 400 yards in the lay-by. 

The Gower Ride - Provisional date Sunday 16th August  

We have received the following news from David Singleton, the ride organiser.

This is a new De Cymru Pleasure Ride - see the attachment here or go to the De Cymru web site page The Gower Ride Page for more details.  This ride incorporates a stretch of beach on the beautiful Gower coast, however only 50 riders will be allowed to go on the beach but more may go on the other routes of the ride.

Enter Now!!!

Reminder! If you are happy to receive the newsletter by email or downloading to save Group printing costs please let us know

Congratulations to Offa’s Dyke member Sarah Rogerson! This week’s Horse and Hound reports on her victory in the two day 160km ER on her nine year old Arab mare CS Kabira.  Sarah says ‘My mum Mary Stubbs has won the race three times and my sister Rachel won last year. As my sister and I are both at university, mum effectively trained all five winners’. Sarah won at an average speed of 17.3kph in an exciting race. A full report from Mary will be in the next newsletter. Congratulations also to Gill Talbot on Malabar Storm (also former winners of the 160km ER) who this year came second in the 80km ER. Gill had an amazing couple of weeks, having just got home from the Golden Horseshoe Ride, where her other advanced horse Ranazak won top prizes in the Stag class. Margaret McKiddie also successfully completed the Tyro 80km ER on her young horse Scotch Mist.

See the report in the July Newsletter.

 

Update 05/06/09 - Helpers needed, please contact Margaret McKiddie (the ride organiser)

 

 

Happy Offa's Dyke members celebrate their Golden Horse Shoe successes

Congratulations also go out to all the Offa's Dyke members who  rode at Mynydd Machen.  The results have now been posted on the EGB web site and are available by clicking here.  Well done to all our Group members who all did so well at this ride.  Thanks to everyone who has sent in reports on how they got on - these are being reviewed by the newsletter editor who (naturally) has first claim on any material before we can add it to the web site!  In the meantime we are always eager to know how you have got on at any ride, so please email us with your report.

 

Congratulations to Sharon and Rumey for completing the testing  120km FEI** ride in Mont le Soie, Belgium on Sunday 3rd May as part of the Senior Development Squad.  The course was very technical with long climbs and steep descents over often stony forestry tracks. All the horses had  quickly to become accustomed to the foreign razzmatazz, loud music, busy vetgates and loose dogs everywhere, not to mention the thunder claps at the pre-ride vet inspection!

See the full report in the July newsletter.

 

 Delwyn Hall on Chador at the new Mortimer Forest ride April 2009

This is what Delwyn  said about the ride: "Hi Heart of England, what a fantastic ride, thanks to the organisers & helpers, I agree best marking ever I think, decent distances for all, & wonderful training for HS or Wantage. Please do it again next year!  Delwyn & Chador."