News

Latest News!

 

We have produced the now traditional web page celebrating Offa's Dyke successes at the Golden Horse Shoe - We don't apologise for the fact that the photos feature Carolyn, the web master was crewing and had limited opportunity to take photos this year!

Either click here or on the link in the left hand panel to access the GHS page.

     News added 22/05/13

 

We have returned from our annual pilgrimage to the Golden Horse Shoe and can now give a report of this exceptional ride.  We would like to offer congratulations to everyone who was successful and commiserations to those who were not so lucky.  This is a tough endurance ride and this year's weather made sure it was Endurance with a capital 'E'!

GHS start

Carolyn at the start of day 1 of her 2 day Experience

The weather was very variable and the recent sunshine had done little to dry up the venue following almost 12 months of rain!  The riders on Sunday probably had the best weather (but even that was not very good!).  Offa's Dyke riders Barbara Rees (riding Cadwaladr), Jane Smith (riding Ibn Menesk) and Belinda Stewart (riding Penny Clawd) all achieved Gold in the new Exmoor Novice 40km class.

Monday found the venue even muddier and a bit of a challenge for access with trailers.  However, the rain held off and all the riders we saw were enjoying themselves.

GHS 2

Fiona Griffiths riding Dear Kate on day 1

There was a fairly high attrition rate for the longer classes but the 80km over 2 day 'Exmoor Experience' did very well with 6 riders achieving Gold.  Two of these were Offa's Dyke members Carolyn Edwards (riding HS Prophet) and Karen Jones (riding Indian Princess) who were both 'over the moon' at such a spectacular achievement under difficult conditions.

GHS 3

Carolyn Edwards riding HS Prophet on day 1

Day 2 dawned after a night of heavy rain with a venue now so muddy with all the previous traffic that no trailers were allowed on it.  Hats off to the organisers and all their helpers for their hard work and ensuring the ride continued - we were well impressed!

Unfortunately, Barbara Rees could not start the second day as it was confirmed that she had broken her ankle during a fall the day before.  She had still completed day 1 at silver speed before the extent of her injuries became apparent.  We wish her a speedy recovery.

GHS 4

A very cheerful Carolyn at the end of day 2

Offa's Dyke riders Fiona Griffiths (Silver) and Kerri Costello (Bronze) were also successful in the Exmoor Experience and we all enjoyed ourselves at the prize giving on Tuesday evening which had been moved to the White Horse in Exford as there was really no access at the venue.  See Ian Wigley's photos on the GHS web site:

http://www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk/latestnews.php

It was great fun getting on and off the venue, most of us would have paid for the off-road experience!

We really enjoyed ourselves and would like to thank absolutely everyone who braved that weather to make this ride so enjoyable (and most of all just to happen!). Everyone out on course, gate stewards, check points, venue helpers, grand jury, vet writers and vets but especially to the Wigley family and the organising committee.

     News added 19/05/13

  

The April newsletter has been printed and put in the post this morning.  Copies have been emailed out and it is available for download by clicking here.

We hope you enjoy this special 25th Anniversary edition of the newsletter which features articles and photos from some of the founder members of the group.  

The postal and emailed copies also included details of the training day on 26 May at Treworgan Farm (see page 5 of the newsletter for details) and the booking form.

We also have a schooling and massage training evening on Saturday 8 June (see page 10 of the newsletter for details).

These events are also on the Rides & Events page.

     News added 26/04/13

  

Newsletter Editor, Carolyn, was also the Ride Secretary for both Bluebell Rides.  She had hoped to get the newsletter finalised in early April but this did not prove possible.  She has now restarted work on it and we hope to have it published soon.

We apologise for the delay but believe that you will be impressed with this 25th Anniversary Special issue.

    News added 22/04/13

  

We would like to give everyone involved with both Bluebell rides a very big

THANK YOU

for making both rides such an enjoyable success.

Many people were involved in the organisation before the rides and on each day and there has been some very good feedback on the EGB Forum and our own Facebook page.  This feedback is helpful, both for ideas on even more improvements to the ride and for everyone involved who like to know their efforts are appreciated.

So well done and here's to next year's rides!

    News added 22/04/13

  

Forest of Dean Bluebell Ride and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

As many of you are likely to be aware, this disease has recently been identified among horses in the Beaufort Hunt, which is based at Badminton and hunts the area in southern Gloucestershire and adjacent areas of Wiltshire.  

The British Equestrian Federation has carried out a detailed risk assessment with veterinary assistance and has issued guidelines, which have been adopted by Endurance GB.  

We do not wish to create inappropriate alarm, but we are well aware that competitors will wish to compete throughout the season and not be affected by EHV. To put this into context, the BEF’s advice says “EHV is a common virus, and under the prevailing circumstances, surveillance should be heightened. Different diseases are caused by the virus, the neurological type being the more serious but having the lowest incidence.”  

The Ride Organisers of the FoD Bluebell Ride have consequentially carried out a risk assessment of the likelihood of EHV transmission at the event, and ask everyone to take the precautions outlined in this attachment (which will also be included in the ride information pack.

Click here for the EHV attachment

   News added 10/04/13

  

These rides are now a week and a half away. We have now been given approval by Forestry for all our proposed route changes.

- NO MORE riding through Parkend

- 2 road sections ELIMINATED and replaced by some lovely woodland and tracks.

- Only 0.5 miles of road now, through the quiet village of Ellwood!

Sunday's ride is now closed, as we have as many entries as we think the venue will accommodate - but PLENTY of room for the Saturday Group PR - 20 miles / 33 km.

Saturday's Ride map now available Click here for the 2013 fun ride map

More details for Saturday's fun ride are available by clicking here

Sunday's Ride map now available Click here for the 2013 ride map

Click here for more of Sunday's ride information

   News added 09/04/13

  

We would like to give Nicola, her family and all her helpers a VERY BIG THANK YOU for today's ride at Govilon.  This had to be delayed a week due to snow and really only got the go-ahead on Friday.

Govilon 2013

71 riders enjoyed dry weather for a ride, that for us, really filled the bill as a super fittener for the Golden Horse Shoe and our intrepid roving reported was out there with her camera - as was Sue who eventually worked out how to get her mobile phone to do video!  More pictures will appear in due course (an maybe some video?).

So a really big thank you to Nicola and everyone involved in the ride.  Nicola has spent the last three days walking and marking the route to make sure that it was ready for the ride.  We realise how difficult this is, particularly under these unusual weather conditions.  The riders really enjoyed the home-made cakes and hot drinks for sale at the end (even the web master was brought a piece of chocolate cake home - yum, yum).

   News added 07/04/13

  

Great news just in from Nicola
This ride is definitely on for Sunday 7th April
The route is virtually all marked
and the ride is ready to go!
See you there!

  News added 05/04/13

 

Due to the extreme weather conditions, Govilon Ride Organiser - Nicola, has reluctantly decided to move her ride a week from Easter Sunday to the 7th April.  She will be sending the information out to all those who have entered with the option to cancel if the following week is not convenient.

We believe that most riders will be glad of the alternative which is now possible due to the unfortunate cancellation of the Tresham Ride.

  News added 25/03/13

 

We have been advised of the following:

This is to advise all those who take their horses into the Forest, that the Ross and District Motor Sports are holding a ‘Classic Trial’ and the place will be buzzing with noisy cars, spectators and marshals. As some equines might find this frightening and for safety reasons, it would be a good idea to avoid the Forest on Sunday 14th April at this time.

The first cars will arrive in the woods opposite Mallards Pike by 11 a.m. and to reach the southern end of Cockshoot, east of Yorkley, by 11.30. The marshals will leave after the last cars are through, towards 3 p.m., as they go to a few minutes break in Wenchford. From there it's north on the lanes to Cuddleigh Bank near Upper Soudley, then on again north to Blaize Bailey and finally north of Littledean to the Waterworks behind Green Bottom.

  News added 25/03/13

 

Many thanks to Debbie and Rachel Williams for once again allowing us to use their lovely yard as the venue for our annual Novice Training afternoon attended this year by six new Members, Associate Members and crew.

Training day

For the last six years Gina Harris has presented these training afternoons for Offa's Dyke Group, but this year due to an unfortunate accident she was unable to attend,  so Debbie, Rachel, Carolyn and Robin had to do the talking.

We hope a good time was had by all those who attended and we look forward to seeing them at our rides.

  News added 18/03/13

 

This is Offa's Dyke Group's 25th year and, as part of the celebrations, special silver rosettes will be available at our Fun Rides.

Jubilee Rosette

The first Fun Ride to feature these Jubilee rosettes is the Govilon Fun Ride on Easter Sunday, 31st March. 

This ride is very popular as a fittener for the rest of the season.  It also features stunning scenery!

More details are available on the Govilon Ride page.

Click here for a copy of the 2013 ride map.

Click here for a copy of the ride talk-round

  News added 16/03/13

 

March Hares Ride 2013

We would like to thank the 2013 Forest of Dean March Hares Ride Organisers and all their helpers for another great ride. Despite a cool, cloudy day with a chilly wind towards the end - IT DID NOT RAIN!!!  In fact it has been remarkably dry in the past two weeks and the large 'pond' at the venue had all but disappeared.

Everyone we talked to said that it rode extremely well and they had all enjoyed themselves.  Certainly it was very good to out and about in the dry for once.

Particular thanks go to rider Abbi, who replaced a crucial marker that had been moved by some mischievous person and Raynet who helped a small van get out of the venue.

  News added 03/03/13

 

Ride Organiser, Nicola has worked very hard on this year's route and the ride map has been finalised and is now available together with the talk-round.

This fun ride is on Sunday 31st March and is very popular as a fittener for the rest of the season.  It also features stunning scenery!

More details are available on the Govilon Ride page.

Click here for a copy of the 2013 ride map.

Click here for a copy of the ride talk-round

 News added 02/03/13

 

This year marks 25 years since Offa’s Dyke Group first formed.

To celebrate the occasion we will be ordering special ‘silver’ rosettes for the 2013 Fun Rides.

As newsletter editor, I’d like to use this opportunity to record the memories and thoughts of those Offa’s Dyke members who remember the early days of the group and even better – if anyone can dig out some photos from the early years.  

If you were involved with the group in its early years, I’d love to have your thoughts on how things have changed in 25 years (for the better – or not so?). What is different about Endurance in 2013 from the mid 80s? I’m sure clothing & tack has changed, but what about the ride calendar, sorts of rides and dare I say the dreaded health & safety.

If you can offer me any thoughts or photos for the newsletter, please ASAP.

To get you in the mood for reminiscences – here is a YouTube link to a ‘side roads’ TV programme made in 1982 about Endurance riding. It features Mary Townley -famous for creating the Mary Townley long distance route in the Pennines.

How things have changed from riders in cream jodhpurs, long boots & kagools – no Arab horses in sight. The CPs manned by the army and the timekeeper doffing his hat as people finish!

 News added 12/02/13

 

BIBURY - Pleasure & Training Ride Sunday 5th May 2013

Come and enjoy approx. 14 miles of glorious Cotswold Countryside, mainly made up of tracks and grass with some roadwork through quiet villages and country lanes ( 2 unavoidable road crossings but we hope to have crossing stewards present).

See the Cotswold Group web site for entry details.

Venue is on hard-standing at Ablington by kind permission of the Mason family – please bring along a £1.00 donation towards the cost of parking.

EBG rules apply. 

Entry Fees: Members: £10.00 Non Members: £18.00

Entries close 1st May 2013

 News added 11/02/13

 

There's a great article on endurance in the February issue of Nag Mag. It has been written by UKCC Level 3 Endurance Coach, Rosemary Attfield and is of interest to all levels.

You can download and read it for free on their website:

Thank you to the EGB Facebook page for bringing it to our attention.

 http://www.nagmagonline.com/nagmag-current-issue/p406-download-nagmag.html

 News added 06/02/13

 

EGB Cotswold Group member Rachael Farley-Claridge is organising a talk and meal with Less Bounce Sports Bras on 22nd February in South Gloucestershire.

Selaine from www.Lessbounce.com has kindly offered to come and deliver a talk on her products and also fit bras/underwear.  She has been working with Beth Langley and Rachael for numerous years.    

It should be a good evening and with a hot meal included within the ticket price at a venue just off M4. There will also be a raffle to raise funds for the EGB International Teams  

Rachael has lined up Saracen Horse feeds to speak on 19th April and will be confirming a speaker for 15th March  

Please click here to download a booking form  

 Closing date:     Monday 18th February 2013
Time:                   7pm – 10pm (approx)
Venue:                 The Bell at Old Sodbury, Badminton Road, South Glos,
                             BS37 6LL (5 min drive from J18, M4)
Price:                  £10pp
Raffle:                 In aid of the EGB international teams

 News added 06/02/13

 

The January Newsletter has been printed and posted out so you should be receiving yours soon if you have it by post.  A pdf version has been emailed out to those requesting it by email and it is now available to download from the website.

Click here to download the newsletter

 News added 30/01/13

 

Saturday 9 February - Winter Evening Talk at Whitchurch Village Hall 

7:00pm for 8:00pm start

Catriona Moon ‘Riding in the desert’  

Please note that we will be having an informal bring & buy tack sale before Catriona's talk, from 7pm. Light refreshments available.

Click here for more information including directions to Whitchurch Village Hall.

  News added 30/01/13

 

If you have anything for the January newsletter please contact Carolyn urgently (remember advertisements are free for Offa's Dyke members and Associate members).

  News added 18/01/13

 

Great news - the Cirencester Ride is back on this year at the end of August.  Unfortunately this clashes with the original date for Fiona's Bwlch Raid Fun Ride, so she is now looking at alternative dates in September.

We will post further news when available.

  News added 18/01/13

 

We would like to thank Louise Rich and her parents Sue and Gerald for last night's interesting and entertaining talk.

Lou Rich talk 1

The winning combination - Breeder, Rider & Crew!

Louise Rich and her parents shared some of their fabulous experiences with the British Young Rider and Development squads.     Louise and her mother Sue have had some amazing successes with their home bred Oakleaze horses and have ridden at all levels of Endurance from novice up to FEI international level. They have both competed successfully abroad with the British development squad.  Louise’s latest achievement as part of the Bronze Medal winning team at the Young Riders European Championships is a great reflection on the work the whole family have put into producing and crewing their horses.  

Lou Rich talk 2

We are very grateful to the Rich family for taking the time and preparation for their interesting and entertaining talk which featured many photos and props such as the paperwork required for travel to Belgium, the vet card process, the ride and crew maps and the gradient profiles of each loop – clearly indicating that the Mont le Soie region is anything but flat!  

Lou Rich talk 3

The British team was up against strong competition, with 58 riders from 19 countries, including 9 teams, taking part over the challenging 120km course at the championships.   They put in a strong performance, completing the course at over 17km per hour, to take bronze.  This is a significant result for the British Young Rider team and also represents the first medal won by a British Endurance team at any level since 2000.  

To cap that achievement (and in recognizing it) the Bronze medal winning Endurance GB Young Rider team were invited to parade alongside Olympic medal winning riders as part of Team GBR at the London International Horse Show, Olympia, on 19th December 2012.  The sheer size of the arena prevented them from getting any close up photos but Lou described in entertaining detail the parade and equestrian heroes that she met.

Lou Rich talk 4

Lou with Gina's assistance demonstrates how the clever red, white & blue bridle works

Lou Rich talk 5

The bridle splits to release the bit through simply unfastening some press-studs (something that would have been easier if the bridle had been on a horse and perhaps if Gina had put her cup of tea down!)

Lou Rich Talk 6

Success!! 
Although you can't easily see the blue part against Gina's blue jacket!  
However, they both entertained us and demonstrated why they were at the talk and not in Britain's Brightest!
The bridles were supplied to the Team by Performance Equestrian.

Medal and commemorative plaque

Lou's medal and commemorative plaque

Thanks to everyone who came and to all those who helped with opening and getting the hall ready, making tea and bringing the projector.  Thanks especially to Alan for bringing a fantastic selection of home-made cakes (yum, yum!) to go with the tean and coffee.

  News added 13/01/13

 

Photos for the Christmas Cracker ride are now available from Celia Saunders web site

http://artantix.co/egb-offas-dyke-group-christmas

  News added 05/01/13

 

Don't forget to renew your EGB or Associate Membership.

Full members can renew on line by just following this link:

http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/renewonline.html

Associate Members should send a completed membership renewal and cheque to Carolyn (details are on the form) ASAP along with a large SAE for her to return your membership card & trophy card.

The good news is that the Associate Membership Fees remain the same as 2012.
I.e. £20 single and £24 family membership. This is terrific value for money, as you still get the same great benefits including:  

Discounted entry fees to Group Pleasure Rides organised by any EGB group in the country (saving £8 per ride)  

Access to Offa’s Dyke training and social events. This includes on-going schooling lessons a Huntley & two very interesting talks in January & February  

Offa’s Dyke quarterly newsletter  

EGB National magazine  

EGB members handbook with list of National rides     

Details are on the Membership page:

http://offasdykeegb.co.uk/membership/membership.htm  

  News added 03/01/13

 

We wish all Offa's Dyke members a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2013.

It has stopped raining, the sky is blue and the sun is shining!  Let's hope this sets the scene for the rest of the year. 

We have some great rides planned and details of these are on the Rides & Events page.  The next Committee Meeting is on Thursday 10th January, please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions for 2013.

  News added 01/01/13

 

More than 70 riders enjoyed unusually dry weather for the Christmas Cracker ride.

Xmas Cracker ride December 2012

We would like to give a very big THANK YOU to ride organiser, Suzanne, and all her helpers.  Together they made the whole day very enjoyable and a great success.  All of the riders we spoke to enjoyed themselves and appreciated the opportunity to get out in surprisingly good riding conditions.

The whole ride was very smoothly organised despite a last minute change in route due to flooding from the River Wye.  It only became apparent yesterday evening that the return route using the cycle track along the river bank was likely to flood with the predicted water arriving from Wales overnight.  Suzanne realised the risk and wisely decided to revise the route.  Her efforts (which lasted late into the night) paid off and we all enjoyed a very good ride.

So, on behalf of the Committee and the riders, we would like to thank Suzanne and all her helpers for their tremendous efforts which were very much appreciated by all.

  News added 30/12/12

 

We wish every Offa's Dyke member a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We hope you all have an excellent time and enjoy yourselves.  We also hope to see some of you at the Christmas Cracker Ride on Sunday 30th December. Ride Organiser, Suzanne, has sent out the ride details and we hope you have all received them before Christmas.

 News added 23/12/12

 

The 2012 Annual Meeting was well attended and Heather, our Chairman, ensured that the business meeting was short and efficient.  A number of the Committee were standing down or had moved away and the whole meeting thanked them for their sterling service.  Nominations for new members were invited and Gill Talbot was duly proposed and seconded.  

Heather reported that, despite the appalling summer, Offa's Dyke members had celebrated some notable successes.  We had also managed to put on the Autumn Belle ride at just 5 weeks notice through the hard work of Sharon Parr, Chris Wray and their supporting cast.  This was not only a significant achievement but also a welcome relief to all those desperate to ride throughout the summer!  

There then followed the presentation of Trophies and Rosettes for 2012.

Many thanks to Natural Animal Feeds for providing goodie bags to the trophy winners.  It was a very kind gesture that was very much appreciated by all of the winners.

OD 2012 winners sponsored by NAF

Click here to open the NAF website

Details and photos of the Awards are available on the AGM & Awards Results page.

 News added 11/12/12

 

  

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