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OLDHAM & DISTRICT RIDING CLUBOLDHAM & DISTRICT RIDING CLUBOLDHAM & DISTRICT RIDING CLUBOLDHAM & DISTRICT RIDING CLUB NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

june june june june 2011201120112011

Who’s Who at ODRC

Chair Person Sue Hollingworth 07970 857739 chairman@odrc.co.uk Vice Chair Amanda Godwin 07754 742232 membership@odrc.co.uk Steve Hopkinson 07973 268261 Treasurer Lisa Wake 01457 839919 / 07877 863513 treasurer@odrc.co.uk Secretary Abi Atherton 01457 810211 secretary@odrc.co.uk Membership Amanda Godwin 07754 742232 membership@odrc.co.uk Instruction Krystina Bamber 07970 813193

training@odrc.co.uk Becky Hebb 0161 622 1005 / 07845 016264

Friezland User Group Sue Hollingworth 07970 857739 Arthur Prowse 01457 870407 fug@odrc.co.uk Teams Vicky Hollingworth 07970 857739 Sarah Mottley 07960 510742 teams@odrc.co.uk NLG Rep Arthur Prowse 01457 870407 nlg@odrc.co.uk Newsletter Editor Minda Wigley 01457 870421 newsletter@odrc.co.uk Bridleways Peter Carter 01457 873344 bridleways@odrc.co.uk Website Michael Wigley 01457 870421 website@odrc.co.uk Help Coordinator: Alana Bennett 07872 583182 help@odrc.co.uk Child Protection Haydee Seton-Jones 07734 405258 childprotection@odrc.co.uk

Show Organisers Members Only Novice Lauren Rothwell 07584 301253

Steve Hopkinson 0161 624 5269

noviceshow@odrc.co.uk Show Jumping VACANT

Showing/Working Hunter Tracy Shaw 07927 044804 Norma Roberts 07894 470537

showingAndWH@odrc.co.uk Dressage: Rachel Roebuck 07968 043539 Heidi Newton 07866 673205 dressage@odrc.co.uk Combined Training: Sue Hamer 07889 156171 combinedtraining@odrc.co.uk Jill Bradley ODE: Sue Hamer 07889 156171 onedayevent@odrc.co.uk Sponsored Ride Peter Carter 01457 873344 bridleways@odrc.co.uk Riding Club Camp Sue Hollingworth 07970 857739 Minda Wigley 01457 870421 camp@odrc.co.uk

Other Committee Members: Tim Partridge 07976 561632 Lesley Illingworth 07951 172913 Bridget Tibbot 07814 327016 Denzil Edwards 07899 054799

From the Editor:

Welcome to the June edition of the Newsletter. The shows and instructional activities are now in full swing and you can read all about them in the following pages. We hope those of you who are going to Camp (6-10 June) will have a great time while you are there and come back and tell us the tales of your experiences. Items this month include:

• pg 2 Teams update and news of what six ODRC members have been achieving away from the Club

• pg 3 Report on the Ben Hobday Showjumping clinic (2 May) and details of Instruction opportunities coming up including trailer towing and show preparation

• pg 4 reminder of who is on the helpers rota for forthcoming shows

• pg 4/5/6 report and results from the Ridden Showing Show (8 May)

• pg 7/8 report and results of the Showjumping Show (22 May)

• pg 9 report on the Beginners Cross Country Clinic (21 May) run by Sue Toone

• pg 10/11 a couple of horsey items that hit the news in May that you might have missed

Over to you ...

items for newsletter If you have any items you think might be of interest to other members of ODRC please ring Minda on 01457 870421 to tell her what you want to say or e-mail them to newsletter@odrc.co.uk.

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teams update by Vicky Hollingworth

UPCOMING EVENTS:

If you are interested in joining a team for one of the following team events coming up soon, please contact Vicky Hollingworth on 07773 432471 or Sarah Mottley on 07960 510742 or e-mail teams@odrc.co.uk. [Please note that you need to contact the Teams organisers to notify them of your interest – don't wait for a phone call from them (it's not possible for them to ring all ODRC members to find out who is interested, so do pick up the phone and let them know.)] If you don't want to compete on a team, please come along and support the riders on the day. Moral support is always appreciated.

Area Team One Day Event - 25 June – Kelsall Hill Area Team Showjumping – 16 July – Longton For the club to be able to enter area competitions, we must send stewards. Anyone interested in stewarding at these events, please contact Vicky Hollingworth on 07773 432471 or Sarah Mottley on 07960 510742 or e-mail teams@odrc.co.uk.

out and about

Woodnook Dressage: Rebecca Starling writes: On the 1st of May Caroline Coldwell and Sarah Coldwell and I attended Woodnook Dressage in Meltham. With lovely facilities, good organisation and a quality field of competition, we all had a fantastic day. Di Vardy judged all day and did a fantastic job, being her usual encouraging and pleasant self. There were 12 competitors in the Prelim 12 with10 in the Novice 20, and I was delighted to come second in the Prelim 12 with Fonzy's highest ever score (72%) and Caroline was 3rd with her highest ever score in dressage of 71.2%. I was so pleased with Fonzy as he was so forward, light and supple. He is usually a 'tomorrow will do' kind of chap and would much rather I carried him but that day he was positively bouncing in the Prelim. I knew as he powered up the centre line it was going to be a good test. Sarah did a lovely test on new horse Risko, only the pair's second time out, scoring 66.7%. I also entered the Novice 20, which had 10 competitors and we were 4th with 67.6%. I feel he peaked in the Prelim though as he felt a little tired in the novice and was ready for bed afterwards! I was extremely pleased with my Novice score because he does find N20 difficult as it is full of transitions that come thick and fast.

Croft End Dressage: ODRC was well-represented on 30 May at Croft End's friendly dressage competition. The test was Prelim 13 and, out of 17 senior competitors ODRC members Deb Connell on Storm took 1st place, Minda Wigley on Claude took 3rd place and Jayne Fielding on Tarese took 7th (rosettes to 10th). Well done, the three of you! If anyone else was there that we've not mentioned e-mail me at mindaHGF@live.co.uk and I'll include you in the next Newsletter.

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ininininstruction updatestruction updatestruction updatestruction update

Showjumping Clinic – 2 May by Becky Hebb, Clinic Organiser

Seven ODRC members battled against the wind on 2 May determined to learn all they could from 4* International Event Rider, Ben Hobday.

When Ben finally arrived after getting lost, the three of us (Ben, Lesley Illingworth and I) attempted to build the course with great difficulty as the strong winds kept blowing the jumps back down. Eventually we managed to sort them out - minus the fillers as they weren't really helping with the wind.

The lessons started with Carla Richardson on Corker and Megan Lockwood on Landa. They did very well. Carla worked on her upper body and getting the horse forward. Megan worked on her striding and unfortunately came off but was ok and soon got back on and had a good lesson.

They were followed by Marco Andreucetti. Unfortunately we couldn't hear what Ben was saying to him because of the strong winds but Marco did very well jumping a decent height with his 7 year old gelding, Wexford. After that Deborah Connell and I (Becky Hebb) shared a lesson. Deborah worked on her position and maintaining a steady forwards rhythm to the jumps. She did very well and Ben was very impressed with Storm for his age. I worked on sitting and holding Blue, waiting for the jumps to come to me, not throwing my reins at him. Once I'd got my head round doing this we did very well (if you weren't counting how many times I came off – ha ha!)

Next on was Lesley Sanders with her new mare, Sunshine. After taking a little while to settle, Sunshine did very well jumping a good height. Lesley and Sunshine unfortunately parted company briefly when Sunshine spooked but there was no harm done as Lesley has one of those amazing air-bag body protectors. She got straight back on and completed the lesson on a good note. Finally came Lesley Illingworth riding Gooch, who was very strong. This resulted in Lesley having to change his bit to give her more control, but he worked much better afterwards. Lesley worked on making Gooch wait going to the jumps and jumping more carefully. The pair jumped an impresive height of 1 m 25 by the end of the lesson.

So overall it was a fantastically successful day. Ben was a brilliant and a very knowledgeable instructor and was a big hit with the riders. He will definitely be invited back to run another clinic in the near future. If you would be interested in participating in a future clinic please ring Becky Hebb on 0161 622 1005 / 07845 016264. [Lessons are £25 per person for an hour's group lesson (3 or a maximum of 4 people per group) or £30 per 45 minutes for a private lesson.]

Show Preparation Clinic Following the winter series of articles by Halia Williams giving us pointers on showing, a number of members have expressed interest in a "hands-on" clinic of how to plait up, trim, and all aspects of show turnout. A provisional date on Wednesday evening, 22 June has been arranged at Friezland Arena. The cost will be £10 per person. You can take your own horse down to the Arena if you prefer, and the instructor will give you guidance specific to your own horse. Alternatively you can watch and listen to the advice offered in relation to the horses present on the night. If you would be interested in joining in the clinic please ring Krystina Bamber on 07970 813193.

Trailer Towing Training: We are considering organising some training sessions for those of you who tow trailers and are perhaps lacking confidence or need to improve particular areas of skill. The sessions will be held at Friezland Arena. If the training took place in pairs, then the cost would be approximately £15 per hour. If you would prefer private lessons then they would be £30 per hour. If you are interested please ring or text Krystina Bamber on 07970 813193 and if there are sufficient numbers, she will

organise the training.

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helpers rota for forthcoming shows

Just because your name doesn't appear below, doesn't mean you can't help! You will be very welcome at any show – too many helpers are far better than too few! Those of you whose names appear below should expect a call from Alana Bennett, our new Helpers Coordinator.

Dressage Show – 5 June 2011 Marco Andreucetti Elizabeth Kershaw Kim Bird (a.m.) Zoë Hepworth Julie Swindells

Ridden & In Hand Showing & Working Hunter Show – 26 June 2011 Jacqui Horrocks Andrea Harwood Charlotte Madeley Paul Dodkins (a.m.)

Combined Training Show – 3 July 2011 Haydee Seton-Jones Sue Howes

ridden & In-Hand Showing & working hunter show - 8 may 2011 What can I say? What a turn out considering Rochdale, Wilmslow and Osbaldeston were all on the same day! (Someone obviously did a good job handing out the schedules!) The day was a very long one so thanks to all who stayed to help put away as it was quite late! Thanks to all who helped throughout the day including: Jacky Knight, Lesley Jackson, Joyce Bromley, Denzil Edwards, Peter Carter, Damian and Kai Roberts, Karen and Tim Partridge and the faithful Paul Dodkins, who unfortunately was unable to compete due to us running so far behind schedule. "What time did the Workers start???!" It was well after 2 pm if I remember rightly! (Ed: it was after 4 pm actually – I remember clearly as I too had been waiting for the first Workers class!) And thanks to all those I might not have mentioned. It could not be done without you!! Big thanks to our judges: Lyn Hayden-Williams, who was an absolute star Steph Howarth, who did a great job as usual! and finally a big "Well Done!" to all who were in the ribbons especially the Champions and Reserves, and "Good Luck!" to everybody who qualified for Bold Heath (UK Summer Championships). Thanks for a great day. Tracy Shaw & Norma Roberts Ridden & In Hand Showing & Working Hunter Show Organisers

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RIDDEN, IN HAND AND WORKING

HUNTER SHOW 8 MAY 2011

RESULTS

Ridden Cob Type

1st Tracy Shaw McNamara 2nd Jayne

Romanczuk Jimmy

3rd Lauren Jackson Roman

Ridden Arab, Anglo/Part-bred

1st Tasha Hough HT Nygella 2nd Lucy Cunliffe Olde Hills

Princess Belle 3rd Naomi Francis Saffron

4th Haydee Seton-Jones

Amber

Riding Horse

1st Lorraine Worrell Rocket Flair

2nd Rebecca Starling Rheingold 3rd Becky Hebb Cent Blue 4th Emma Stewart Tia Rose 5th Lauren Rothwell Apollo XII

6th Tasha Hough HT Nygella

Ridden Show Hunter

1st Ellie Carter Snap Crackle Pop

2nd Amy Neville-Cooper

Finians Rainbow

3rd Janet Shaw Ballad 4th Martha Tibbot Mischief Maker 5th Katie Stafford Big Mac 6th John Thompson Rupert

Ridden Mountain & Moorland

1st Sarah Cheetham Echo Lady 2nd Lauren Saxon William 3rd Karen Partridge Ebony 4th Katie Donald Trojan 5th Amanda Harding Coed

Newydd Imperian

Ridden Spotted/Coloured/Palamino

1st Lorraine Worrell

Delta's Midnight Promise

2nd Diane Allcock Reo 3rd Amy Neville-

Cooper Finians Rainbow

4th Jayne Romanczuk

Jimmy

5th Emma Stewart Tia Rose

6th Jayne Lees Marley

Best Riding Club Horse/Pony

1st Lauren Rothwell Apollo XII 2nd Amy Neville-Cooper Finians

Rainbow 3rd Katie Donald Trojan 4th Martha Tibbot Mischief

Maker 5th= Rebecca Starling Rheingold 5th= Lauren Jackson Roman

6th= Minda Wigley Claude 6th= Ellie Conway Cloigen

Ringlet

Mini-Novice Working Hunter

1st Kim Salmon The Billster 2nd Martha Tibbot Mischief

Maker 3rd Emily Aylett Blue Boy 4th Katie Donald Trojan

5th Rebecca Starling Rheingold 6th Sarah Cheetham Echo Lady

Novice Working Hunter

1st Martha Tibbot Mischief Maker

2nd Laura Carter Sky 3rd Kim Salmon The Billster 4th Krystina Bamber Just Ginni 5th Lesley Sanders Sunshine

Intermediate Working Hunter 1st Katie Stafford Big Mac 2nd Laura Carter Sky

3rd Lesley Sanders Sunshine 4th Bridget Tibbot Brad 5th Andrea Harwood Georgia 6th Tim Partridge Odds &

Sox

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RIDDEN, IN HAND AND WORKING HUNTER

SHOW 8 MAY 2011 RESULTS (contd) Open Working Hunter 1st Bridget Tibbot Brad 2nd Katie Stafford Big Mac 3rd Megan Lockwood Lander 4th Tim Partridge Odds & Sox

In Hand Best Condition 1st Terri-Anne

Yates Tynwald Morning Mist

2nd Sarah Harwood Lady Suzannah 3rd Olivia Yates Blade Runner 4th Lesley Sanders Sunshine

5th Michelle Neville-Cooper

Wylderswoode Fern

6th Shirley Lee Harley

In Hand Spotted/Coloured/Palamino 1st Lorraine

Worral Delta's Midnight Promise

2nd Diane Allcock Reo 3rd Charlotte

Madeley Ellerbeck Spangle

4th Deborah Connell

Hoor Hey Dakota

5th Zak Baker Chance

In Hand Cob Type 1st Tracy Shaw Crystal Clear 2nd Lauren Jackson Roman 3rd Charlotte Madeley Ellerbeck

Spangle

In Hand Mountain & Moorland 1st Terri Anne Yates Tynwald

Morning Mist 2nd Katie Donald Trojan 3rd Amanda Harding Coed Newydd

Imperian

4th Sarah Harwood Lady Suzanna 5th Freya Lightfoot Cinnamon 6th Heather Marshall Star

In Hand Veteran (over 15 years) 1st Tracy Shaw Crystal Clear 2nd Terri Anne Yates Tynwald

Morning Mist 3rd Martha Davies Whinnie 4th Jane Stringer Dandy

In Hand Arab, Anglo/Part-bred

1st Katie O'Brian Solitaire SR 2nd Tasha Hough HT Nygella

In Hand Hunter Type 1st Martha Tibbot Mischief

Maker 2nd Michelle Neville-

Cooper Wylderswoode Fern

3rd Olivia Yates Blade Runner 4th Rachel Roebuck Harry

Open In Hand 1st Katie O'Brian Solitaire SR 2nd Chloe Barker HT Nygella 3rd Freya Lightfoot Cinnamon

4th Helen Thane Shabba 5th Lauren Jackson Roman 6th Heather Marshall Star

Ridden Veteran (over 15 years) 1st Becky Hebb Cent Blue 2nd Andrea Harwood Georgia 3rd Sue Howes Ralph 4th Martha Davies Whinnie 5th Laura Carter Sky 6th Helen Thane Shabba

Ridden Showing 1st Lorraine Worrell Rocket Flair 2nd Becky Hebb Centovo Blue

3rd Lauren Rothwell Apollo XII 4th Lucy Cunliffe Olde Hills

Princess Belle 5th Emma Stewart Tia Rose 6th Sue Howes Ralph

Novice Equitation 1st Becky Hebb Centovo Blue 2nd Martha Tibbot Mischief Maker 3rd Jayne Longton Dawn 4th Janet Shaw Ballad 5th John

Thompson Rupert

6th Ellie Conway Cloigen Ringlet

Open Equitation 1st Lorraine Worrell Rocket Flair

2nd Lauren Rothwell Apollo XII 3rd Sue Howes Ralph 4th Andrea Harwood Georgia 5th Karen Partridge Ebony 6th Emma Stewart Tia Rose

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treasurer vacancy – now filled!! We would like to wish a very warm welcome to Nicola Gregory who has kindly agreed to take on the task of Treasurer for the Club. You might remember that Lisa Wake, our Treasurer for the last 4 years, is retiring from the post to have a baby. We offer our grateful thanks to Lisa for all her work on behalf of the Club, and offer Nicola our very best wishes in the post and hope she enjoys it.

reminders

4 June Pony Club Mini One Day Event, Pony Club Field, Platting Road, Scouthead (unless it has been cancelled due to lack of interest – we'll put a note on the website if we hear anything) 5 June Dressage Show 6-10 June Riding Club Camp, Somerford Park, Holmes Chapel 8 June Showjumping practice at Friezland (see pg 12) 26 June Ridden & In Hand Showing & Working Hunter 3 July Combined Training Show 17 July Showjumping Show

showjumping practices Rachel Roebuck is running fortnightly showjumping practices on the field at Friezland for a small charge of £3 per rider. For the first hour from 6.30 to 7.30 jumps will be smaller, up to 2'9". From 7.30 onwards the jumps will be 3' and over. So don't miss this great opportunity to get in some extra practice in advance of the showjumping competitions, and our thanks to Rachel for providing this facility. The next two practices will be on 8 June and 22 June. Ring her on 07968 043539 for more info.

showjumping show - 22 may 2011 by Tori Hollingworth

As we don't have an organiser for the Showjumping shows this year, the first show was run by Lesley Illingworth & Vicky (Tori) Hollingworth along with quite a healthy troop of volunteers. Many thanks go to these volunteers who set up in record time. The weather wasn’t very kind to us with heavy bouts of rain throughout the day along with high winds which kept blowing fences down. It also caused serious problems with the booking-in tent which on numerous occasions threatened to take off across the field and had to be held onto tightly by Tori, Kyle and the paramedic, Josh, who had travelled up from London on the day to cover the show. The wind eventually got the better of them all and the tent had to be abandoned, broken, and the booking-in team had to take refuge in the back of a trailer. (Ed: I wonder if members appreciate the level of devotion to duty exercised by show organisers?!?) The classes were all well attended and we even had an acrobatics display in the pairs class courtesy of Steve Hopkinson and Megan Lockwood! Well done to all competitors and good luck to those that qualified for the various competitions. To enable the remaining show jumping shows to take place, even though we have had two people come forward to help organise (these volunteers have already helped at other events), it is essential that they have enough volunteers to help them. If not then these shows will be cancelled. If you are willing to help please contact either Alana Bennett (helpers coordinator) on 07872 583182 or Vicky (Tori) Hollingworth on 07970 857739.

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showjumping show - 22 may

2011 results

Beginners Novice 1st Paige Wolstencroft Oliver 2nd Jasmin Wilson Patchy Paddy 3rd Emily Aylett Blue 4th Sarah Cheetham Echo Lady 5th Jane Stringer Dandy 6th Elizabeth Kershaw Solitaire

Advanced Novice 1st Toni Bagley Tikka 2nd Paige Bagley Tamara 3rd Martha Tibbot Mischief 4th Natalie Shannon Cordelia 5th Lesley Sanders Sunshine 6th Jasmin Wilson Patchy Paddy

Pairs 1st Paige Bagley – Tamara

Toni Bagley – Tikka

2nd Martha Tibbot – Mischief Graham Tibbot – Rose

3rd Natalie Shannon – Cordelia Claire Richardson – Xena

4th Laura Carter – Sky Gemma Dumbill – Sam

5th Roxanne Johnson – Starlight Megan Lockwood – Landa

6th Emily Aylett – Blue Georgina Roebuck – Donna

3ft Class 1st Claire Richardson Xena 2nd Tim Partridge Sox 3rd Natalie Shannon Cordelia 4th Roxanne Johnson Starlight 5th Martha Tibbot Mischief 6th Joe Holland Peppy

Intermediate 1st Bridget Tibbot Brad 2nd Megan Lockwood Landa 3rd Vicky Johnson Starlight 4th Tim Partridge Sox 5th Claire Richardson Xena 6th Graham Tibbot Rose

Open 1st Bridget Tibbot Brad 2nd Graham Tibbot Rose 3rd Joe Holland Peppy =4th Megan Lockwood Landa =4th Laura Smith Winston

interested in sharing transport??

Do you keep your horse anywhere near Daisy Nook Country Park Visitor Centre or near Bailey's farm? Do you also not have your own transport? If so, would you be interested in sharing transport to shows or other Riding Club activities to share the hire cost? If so, please contact Jayne Fielding on 07736 649370 to discuss any events you might be interested in attending.

condolences and

commiserations

Our condolences go to Lesley Frankland and her family. Lesley's mother died recently, and Lesley gave up her place at Camp in order to be with her mum for as much time as possible through her fight with cancer. Our thoughts are with you, Lesley. Our commiserations go to Denzil Edwards who is nursing stitches to his face and recovering from a dislocated shoulder at the moment. Denzil had an amazing escape from very serious injury when he slipped bringing his horses in from the field. As he lay on the ground his horse Harley stepped backwards onto Denzils face resulting in a gash across his forehead needing stitches, and also two black eyes and a swollen nose. The doctors at A&E were able to repair his shoulder, which is now very sore but functioning. Valient Denzil is, however, still determined to go to Camp. We all hope you feel very much better soon, Denzil.

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beginners cross country clinic – 21 may 2011 by Minda Wigley

Five rather apprehensive Club members arrived at Sue Toone's yard on the Saturday morning at 11am prompt! Sarah Harwood with Suzie, Elizabeth Kershaw with Solitaire, Haydee Seton-Jones with Amber, Lesley Sanders with Sunshine and me (Minda Wigley) with Claude - all determined to face our demons about Cross Country riding.

There were 13 fences to be tackled (7 of which were downhill!!!! – sorry about that – cantering downhill is my personal "bogey" as Elizabeth accurately observed). Sue Toone gently coached and coaxed us over each of the fences individually and then we put them all together as a course. The fences consisted of a rustic cross pole, a corner fence, a Trakehner, a couple of rustic stiles, a Tiger Trap, straw bales, a rustic upright with flowers underneath, tyres with a pole over the top, workbenches, oil drums and railway sleepers. A super selection of rider-frighteners, none of which caused any real problems for the horses!

Haydee's little horse, Amber, who has only just started to do a bit of jumping and had never seen any cross country fences before, valiantly agreed to step over all of them! Elizabeth's and Sarah's mounts were both speedy and keen, and the jockeys did a superb job of making everything look under control! Lesley Sanders, whose new horse, Sunshine really has the makings of an eventer, took on board all Sue's guidance about ensuring that Sunshine was listening between the fences. By the end of the clinic the two of them were looking very workmanlike! My Claude was a good boy for me and was very patient whilst I tried to keep breathing cantering downhill!

The phrase of Sue's that I think we will all remember is "Power up as you approach the fence". When you are coming up to a scary jump it's all too easy to freeze and hope the horse will just jump it in spite of you! But Sue was having none of that. She insisted that we all put our "leg on" and rode actively to the fence. The outcome of course was a much smoother jump, a much better feeling for both horse and rider, and consequent increase in confidence all round.

The group worked very well together, giving each other moral support and lots of vocal encouragement, and each of us overcame our own personal demons:

Sarah: "The best thing I got out of it was the confidence to ride forwards over the jumps, and realising that other folk have the same worries as me!"

Lesley: "The whole thing was great for me. I liked Sue. I liked how she encouraged but didnt push so you felt unsure. I liked how she spoke from experience in a practical way."

Haydee: "The best thing I got out of it was belief in myself. It was also fab to feel as a group we inspired each other with confidence and made some new friends too. Had such a brilliant time and have set myself a goal of having a go at the clear round by the end of the season!"

Elizabeth: "We had a great time. It was great that Sue spoke from experience and gave us all a lot of time and didn’t rush anyone... she took it at our pace and gave everyone in the group just enough attention... I felt just pushed enough but not scared and I thoroughly enjoyed it all and it has given me a lot more confidence to keep going... I also really liked meeting and getting to know people whose names I’ve seen in the newsletter but never met in person... I think the Riding Club should have more sessions like this, especially for people like me who aren’t able to compete all the time and therefore don’t often get the opportunity to do something like this."

Minda: "It made me feel that I will very soon canter confidently downhill to jumps. I couldn't believe it when one of the other riders warned me that the approach to the last fence was another downhill – and my response was "What hill?!?""

An enormous thank you to Sue Toone on behalf of the Club and on behalf of the five of us for her wonderful support and encouragement and the use of her lovely facilities. Sue had organised the clinic to help Pony Club and Riding Club members to prepare for the Pony Club Mini ODE and the ODRC Jill Bradley Memorial Mini One Day Event, and the proceeds (£80 in total) are to be donated to Jill Bradley's chosen charities (The Christie, Cancer Research and Riding for the Disabled). Sue would be happy to organise another Cross Country clinic if Club members would be interested. Give her a ring or text her on 07968 798601 and she will organise another training date.

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small ads

SHOWING ITEMS FOR SALE

• Regent men's long black leather riding boots size 9½ as new, together with man's Pytchley black wool riding jacket also as new XXL/48" chest. £95 for the two.

• Masta waterproof exercise sheet, blue, hardly used, size 37", £10

• Ladies' Black Caldene Show Jacket Size 12 worn once. £25 Contact Jane on 07905 405063

STABLES & GRAZING FOR RENT 4 stables available for rent in the Carrbrook area of Stalybridge. The farm backs on to the Roman Road for safe hacking away from traffic. £15/week for stable & grazing. For more information contact Joyce on 07944 341633

DRESSAGE SADDLE FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE British Dressage saddle 17½" medium/wide, black for sale or preferably exchange. Contact Joyce on 07944 341633

RUGS WANTED If you have any spare or second hand summer and/or winter turnout rugs size 6'3" or 6'6" Joyce would love to hear from you on 07944 341633. They are for a new horse – and typically (!) all her existing rugs are too big for him.

TRAILER FOR SALE Rice/Richardson Treble Trailer. Fits two 16.2 hh and a pony. Great condition, new brakes, tyres etc. £1800 ono. Contact Lucinda on 07921 958085.

WANTED: HORSE ON PART-LOAN I am a previous horse owner seeking to part loan a horse 14HH plus for local hacking two to three mornings a week. This to also include taking responsibility for stable management. Terms and conditions open to negotiation. Please contact Trish Bardsley on 01457 837866.

This article appeared on the BBC news website on 18 May 2011 just in case you missed it.

Pony express: CCTV footage of the horse being taken on to a train at Wrexham. Photograph: Wales News Service

A rail passenger in north Wales tried to board a train with his pony – but station staff said "neigh". The man attempted to buy a ticket for himself and the animal for the 19.02pm

service from Wrexham to Holyhead. Despite being told that large animals were not allowed in the carriages, he put the pony into a lift and took it down to the platform. It is not known why he wanted to transport the animal on the train.

The man eventually left the station – with his pony – when he was not allowed to board the train. Arriva Trains Wales has released CCTV of the incident, which took place last Saturday. A spokeswoman said: "We allow dogs and small animals to travel on board trains. "All animals, except dogs, must be conveyed within a fully enclosed basket or pet carrier with dimensions not exceeding 85cm x 60cm x 60cm. "Large animals, including horses and ponies, which may pose a risk to the general public, are not permitted to travel."

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This appeared in the Manchester Evening News