News

Latest News!

Offa's Dyke member Angharad Morgan was selected for the Welsh team for the recent Home International at Burgie in Scotland. 

We have received the following brief report from Angharad's Father, Alan:

Burgie is a LONG way North but Angharad and Comet were real stars. In Scottish terms they needed to do the 40K Novice in 3hrs 38 minutes at a speed of 11 kms per hour and a heart rate below 48. They past the finish line at 3hrs 37 mins and 54 secs which was rounded down to 3hrs 37 mins giving a speed of 11.06. Comet's heart rate was 38 before the trot-up and 41 after. A Gold rosette and no penalties incurred for the team from Harri and Comet, so a job well done.  

We've taken some photo's so I hope at least one or two will be worthy of sharing and submitting with an article for the newsletter.

We would like to congratulate Angharad and her family on their success (and also say 'yes please' to some photos and a report!

######################

Almost 50 riders enjoyed this new ride on Sunday despite a turn in the weather which actually obscured Hay Bluff for some of the morning and Gabbie has already received requests to put it on again next year.

We would like to give Gabbie a very big Thank You for taking the time and effort to put on this new Group Social Ride, giving us all the opportunity to ride in this fantastic location.

We did plan to send out our roving rider with the camera but decided against it with the low cloud, however, Celia Saunders was out on course and will be uploading photos onto her web site: www.artantix.co.uk

############

We have heard from David Singleton, the Ride Organiser of De Cymru's Gower Gambol Ride, that they need more helpers for this two-day ride.  If anyone can help they should contact David via this link to the Gower Gambol Ride page.

Organiser Gabbie Franklin had a phone call tonight (Friday) from a panic stricken rider who had heard that the ride was cancelled.

IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT!!!!

Everything is going to plan and even the weather forecast is looking better for the weekend.

##########

 We have received the following email from the BHS via Margaret McKiddie:

 Horse riding and carriage driving has never been so popular as it is today. With Gloucestershire being voted the horsiest county in the UK by Horse and Hound there has never been more of a need for access to safe off road riding.  

Now horse owners, riders and drivers are receiving a much needed grant of £11,000 to improve the bridleways for all non- motorised users in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

The Forest of Dean Horse Riders and Carriage Drivers Association (FODRCDA) who are affliated to the British Horse Society, have secured the money which is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas and which is being delivered through the South West of England Regional Development Agency with Defra as the managing authority.  

Jenny Carling, Chair of the FODRCDA who has worked for over three years to secure the money, is positive about the benefits to the area. ‘We are hoping that this work will provide the basis for us to develop a trail that will provide a short break destination for horse riders, carriage drivers, mountain bikers and walkers. Also local equestrians desperately need safer off-road riding and driving opportunities.’  

This is good news to Offa's Dyke Group Members as we put on two Group Social Rides and two National Rides in the Forest of Dean each year.

###########################

Margaret McKiddie, the organiser of Sunday's Cranham Ride says:

"Many thanks to all those who volunteered to help, at Cranham this year which meant we were able to man a few awkward gates and also provide water at two points on route. Thanks also to those whose prayers produced such a glorious day after Saturday's downpour. A special mention to Piers who not only walked a long way to man an awkward gate but also supplied riders with delicious toffees! Margaret"

Please accept the Web Master's apologies for the delay in posting which is partly due to helping our daughter move house yesterday and partly due to drying out - it was also pretty wet de-marking the route on Monday!

###########################

Update from Margaret (Ride Organiser):

Carolyn now keeps her horse very close to me and we have been riding the route together and made several alterations, including cutting out the stony track over Sheepscombe common and the bridle path that skirts the polo field, where a match is often in progress (rather too exciting for some). The start and finish of the ride are completely different and all classes now get to ride the nice top loop through Duntisbourne Abbots. NCR now also has 2 distance options and other class distances have changed. The Cranham Ride web page will be updated shortly with a revised ride map.

Please remember that the closing date for entries is for them to be post-marked no later than this Monday (9th August) to avoid paying the late entry fee.

##########################################

Latest update from Ride Organiser Gabby (30/07/10):

Preparations for the ride continue well, so set aside Sunday 29th August to join in the fun! There are many opportunities for long canters and the ride potentially could be quite fast. The forest long loop making the full 29km is a personal favourite ride of mine as the tracks are relatively unused and you can bowl on nicely.  

So come along and try out ‘Under Hay Bluff’, there is the possibility that a longer route still could be added next year – I am always one for planning ahead!!!! Look forward to seeing you on the 29th August.  
                                                                                                                                Gabbie.

Check out the latest news on this new ride on the Under Hay Bluff ride page.

##############################

44 riders enjoyed good weather and spectacular views and raised £200 for the local Riding for the Disabled group.  A very big thank you to all who rode and especially to Karen, John and all their helpers for putting on this super ride.  A ride report from Belinda Stewart will appear in the next newsletter (due out next week).

#########################################

EGB has asked Margaret McKiddie to organise an Endurance demo to be held at Margam Park on 4th and 5th of September and she is looking for volunteers to help and to take part in the demonstration.  

5 horses with riders and 8 stewards are needed on each day to put on the demo, but the more the merrier as it’s an ideal opportunity to talk to people in and around the area and perhaps recruit some to the sport, or at least come to some of the rides.  

The demo is to be in main arena for 25 minutes and the current thinking is to use:

    3 ER horses/riders  
    2 pleasure horses/riders
    4 people to crew
    4 people to Timekeepers/steward /VETS    

We expect there will be camping and corralling if people can help on both days.  

Support for Margaret would be much appreciated so if you can help in any way please contact her on 01452 813670

######################################################

 

Note - old news has been archived.  Click here if you want to access the news archive.